2025 sees the 50th anniversary of the opening of Kilmodan Primary School in the Clachan of Glendaruel , in Argyll, Scotland. This brought together two small primary schools in the ColGlen area. In the view of one of the contributors to this special episode of the local podcast for Colintraive and Glendaruel this also helped bring the two neighbouring communities together, a process which was accelerated in 2010 when Argyll and Bute Council tried to close the school along with 26 others. Kirsty and Michael hear from one of the first pupils in the new school who was also active in opposing the closure, from 3 former head teachers of Kilmodan as well as from a few of the current pupils. Kirsty also presents the regular "What's On" spot with details of many events scheduled for November.

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast

In this edition of the local podcast for and about Col Glen - the communities of Colintraive and Glendaruel in Argyll - Kirsty and Michael talk about the successful and popular horticultural project , the ColgGlen Growers with chair Malcolm Beveridge , look back to what has been on during a busy summer , discuss the recent Producers' Market and the annual Skiff Regatta and look forward to the Autumn as well as announcing plans for their Christmas Podcast. They also express their concern at the unacceptable state of the Dunoon /Gourock Passenger Ferry service and the shore part of it provided by Argyll & Bute Council , who are also responsible for the failure to complete the often promised new bridge at Baile Mor. Finally in their history series they tell the story of the Ardlamont Murder and its influence on Scots and English Law including on the concept of "libel by innuendo".

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast

This episode of the local podcast for the Argyll communities of Colintraive and Glendaruel sees Kirsty and Michael interviewing "Gramps" - long time Glendaruel resident Martin McFarlane - who, having beaten prostate cancer is a strong supporter of the local NHS. So strong in fact that he is fundraising for Sir Chris Hoy's Prostate charity by undertaking a 60k bike ride this September. (Sponsorship details are in the podcast) Martin also recalls arriving in the Glen in 1964 , swimming across the loch which features in the podcast's title , and surviving two major forestry accidents. The podcast also features the usual "What's On " spot and discussions about an upcoming meeting in Colintraive Hall about the recent Argyll Rally , complaints about the sight lines on local roads because of lack of verge cutting and a preview of the process likely to arise from the proposed re-powering the Cruach Mhor Wind Farm.

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast.

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast

Last Sunday saw a small earthquake in Glendaruel - literally according to the British Geological Survey. And whilst Michael heard and felt it, Kirsty didn't ! So the latest episode of the podcast for Colintraive and Glendaruel in Argyll, Scotland starts with a bang, and goes on to consider community resilience, the upcoming Argyll Rally (which has divided local opinion) and the continuing saga of the Bailemor Bridge. Michael and Kirsty also celebrate and commend community participation in local organisations in the regular "What's On" spot whilst the feature interview is with Karen Scotland whose remarkable Caol Ruadh Sculpture Park opens again with a new collection on Friday 2nd May for two months .

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast

In this episode Andrew Barker, Chair of the Ruel River Improvement Association talks about the innovative work being done to increase the stock of salmon and sea trout and to restore the River Ruel , mindful of the fact that seventy years ago angling was the key tourism offer of the area. Michael & Kirsty also talk about the after effects of Storm Eowyn, give a run down of future events in Colintraive and Glendaruel which are being organised in both community halls, explore the history of the McKirdy Memorial, a touching tribute to twin brothers who died at Gallipoli and express scepticism about an possible attempt to charge local and visiting boat owners on the Clyde estuary and neighbouring waters.

PLEAES NOTE; since recording this episode the start time of the Nordic Walking on a Wednesday has been changed to 10.30

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast

The start of another year and the latest episode of the local podcast for the community of Colintraive and Glendaruel features the remarkable story of Colonel Hardin Burnley Campbell, who lived at Ormidale by Loch Riddon and who, in 1907, went around the world in 40 days, 19 hours and 30 minutes , capturing headlines and a world record which he held for four years.

However his wife and daughter's scrapbook, which Kirsty discovered when researching the Colonel's feat , opens an even more fascinating window into the local area in the years just before and during the First World War, a time when the first phone came to Glendaruel, when the Glen Hall hosted annual Gaelic Mods with over 250 participants but also when almost every family in the district suffered heart breaking loss - including the Burnley Campbells.

Meanwhile Michael has been talking to former Councillor and community activist Alex McNaughton who remains very active in the Colintraive Hall Bowling Club , of which he was a co-founder and which has just celebrated its 30th anniversary, but which now needs new members if it is to continue for another 30 years.

The podcast also includes the regular "What's On" slot .

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast

Kirsty and Michael introduce the eighth edition of the local podcast for Colintraive and Glendaruel in Argyll , Scotland which has been running now for a full year. This episode includes an interview with local resident and community activist Rosalyn McKenna who is working , in her day job , on improving access to the Argyll Collection, a unique cultural resource intended for the young people of the area which owes it existence to two visionaries, the remarkable wrier Naomi Mitchison and Argyll art adviser Jim Tyre . In a new history feature Michael explores the national contribution of the distinguished and influential Maclaurin family which had Glendaruel roots whistle the two presenters muse on Christmas food, the prospects of a cold winter and the possibility of a tourist tax for Argyll & Bute whilst also giving a rundown of the various events and celebrations in ColGlen this December.

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast

Kirsty and Michael recorded the latest episode of the local podcast for Colintraive and Glendaruel on a beautiful Autumn day and their chat this month takes in an improvement in the weather, a need for more local people to serve on the Community Council, a preview of the new Kyles Community Cinema programme, a reminder that the ColGlen Growers lunch (the local harvest festival as Kirsty puts it) takes place shortly , a reflection on sub-titling and - in this episode's feature interview - an interview with Barbara MacVicar , the Glen resident with the longest experience of a place that has changed greatly in the last 90 years.

Email Kirsty & Michael at acrosstheloch@gmail.com with comments, ideas and suggestion for this local ColGlen Podcast