This episode is a conversation with Andrew or Andy Macfarlane of Glen Aros.
Aged 81 he has lived all his life here on the island, starting off at Tiroran, moving to Pennygown, then onto Salen and to Glen Aros.
His family hale from the Isles of Gometra and Coll.
We cover a great number of subjects in our chat including childhood memories of Coll, the people around him here on Mull as he grew up, his schooling in Gribun, elements of the second sight , Gaelic language and culture, farming Aberdeen Angus and so much more. There are so many names from the past that get referenced in this episode, it’s really quite something.
We have a short conversation in Gaelic at around 43 minutes into the episode where we talk about the language on the island and it’s local dialects and phrases.
We recorded our conversation at the Glen Aros road end, where you can often find Andy sat in his jeep watching the world go by. Andy sat in his car, while I sat in mine parked beside him, talking through the windows.
There’s lots of road noises throughout the recording, as it’s a busy spot and a fine place to see what’s going on with the world. There’s a few toots here and there as cars pass us by and signal a greeting to Andy. It was a really special place to record.
I owe a great big thank you to Andrew, Andy’s son, who helped set our conversation up. We’ve been waiting for months to get this conversation recorded, so thank you so much Andrew.
Thank you for listening!
Gribun School in 1948. Andy is the boy on the left. With thanks to Sheila Macfarlane.
Episode Links:
Kilninian Romanian Orthodox Monastry
Brigadier Ronald Cheape of Tiroran tune.
Brigadier General Ronald Cheape of Tiroran leading the Pennyghael Pipe Band round the field at the Tiroran Games – from Annie McRae and Pennyghael Hall’s website.
Further info on Brigadier Cheape.
Pipe Major Wille Ross – Leaving Port Askaig
Lonban – Coll – from the Coll Association website with thanks
Neillie John – ferrymen on Coll – picture courtesy of the Coll Association, with thanks.
Gribun school
Tea with Chrissie by Rosalind Jones
Pearl Assurance – Incorporated into Phoenix Life in 2012.
Aberdeen Angus
Shorthorn cattle
Evacuation of the Isle of Soay – people arriving at Salen Pier.
What We Do In The Winter 
I spent a wee bit time working with Andy at Glen Aros when I came back from the Falkland islands. I had left Ulva a wee while before, I was that tailor that Hugh McPhail mentioned in his interview who came to work there in the 1970’s. Andy was always so nice and had a very interesting sense of humour and a wonderful way with words. Coming up this week for Hugh’s funeral…sad sad time…I now live near Braco in Perthshire I retired from teaching some 12 years back….
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Pure gold.
I’m so pleased that Andy made this recording with you. There’s a whole lot more in him still, and a wee jog of his memory at times throughout the conversation would have brought it to the fore.
Great stuff for all that!!
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