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How does being an islander influence musicians?

Colin MacIntyre is a musician and author who performs as Mull Historical Society. Growing up in the Hebrides, his access to music came from his family and community first, then via an unreliable radio signal from "the mainland" beaming in John Peel's Radio 1 show. In this series, he sets out to explore what being a musician on five different British islands means for the creative process. How is their music shaped by being separated from the mainland?
He begins his journey on his home island of Mull, which he describes as both character and muse in his songwriting and fiction. Although he no longer lives there, he feels connected to the island "like sheep's wool caught on a barbed wire fence". In conversation and music with fellow island musicians Gordon MacLean, Sorren MacLean and Hannah Fisher, Colin reflects on his early musical life as an islander and how it has continued to shape him.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Release date:

14 minutes

On radio

Mon 29 Jun 2026 21:45

Broadcast

  • Mon 29 Jun 2026 21:45

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