Slow Radio: Homeward

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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

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Homeward

BBC Radio 3 - Slow Radio, Homeward

A journey westwards from Scotland's biggest city to home in the Outer Hebrides.

After a break of over a year owing to Covid-19 Restrictions, Calum and Claire MacAulay travel back to their native Skye and North Uist for a long-awaited family reunion.

Travelling nearly 300 miles by land and sea, across moorlands, by lochs and through villages, Calum (Malcolm) MacAulay and his wife Claire finally manage to make their homeward journey from Glasgow to Skye and then North Uist, having spent the last year pining for the sound of the sea and the warmth of their family homes.  Like so many others during tight Covid-19 restrictions, the MacAulay’s felt imprisoned and exiled in the city - unable to travel back to their homeland.

We join Calum and Claire on their homeward journey, packing their bags, filling the car with all necessities and bidding farewell to their furry friend “Lexie”, who is blissfully unaware of her owners’ excitement as they turn their back on the city streets and hit the road to the isles.
On their way they stop off for quick refreshments and a pit stop, bargains and good food keeping Calum in fine tune singing along to popular island band “Peat and Diesel” and their quirky, unorthodox lyrics. 

Before long it’s over the bridge to Skye, passing sunny Kyle for a short stop off at Claire’s parents - where they receive a much longed-for embrace from her mother and grandfather. Then it’s on the road again to Uig pier, gateway to the Outer Hebrides.  A short walk to stretch tired legs, a phone call home, and a final dose of ferry queue panicking are par for the course, but all is well and they board the MV Hebrides to sail the last leg of their journey – a trip across the Minch to North Uist, Calum’s homeland.

Once again they become familiar with the smells and sounds of the car deck and ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne’s on-board announcements.  A walk on deck taking in the smell of the sea and the hills of North Uist in the distance is a sure sign that home is near at long last. From tourists to fellow exiles, tired passengers gather their belongings and make their way to their vehicles as the ferry berths at Lochmaddy.  And finally, in the small hours and dim light of a summer morning, we hear Calum and Claire deal with an unusual traffic jam – a neighbouring crofter’s sheep on the road, the A867.  But it’s worth all the driving, sailing, snacking and singing when at long last, the young couple return to the warm welcoming party of Calum’s parents.

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