Excerpts from issue 52/20 12 July 2025
Islay lifeboat returns from major refit
The Islay RNLI lifeboat, Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II, has returned to service following a comprehensive refit at the RNLI's All-Weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole. The 17-metre Severn-class vessel underwent an extensive overhaul to ensure it remains fully equipped for many more years of lifesaving operations.
Introduced in 1997, Helmut Schroder of Dunlossit II, was the eighth Severn-class lifeboat built for the RNLI's all-weather fleet. With a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles, the Severn is the largest of the RNLI's lifeboats. Islay's lifeboat was named in honour of Helmut Schroder, whose family has generously supported Islay RNLI for decades. The lifeboat operates from Port Askaig, covering Islay, Jura and the Sound of Mull.
The refit is part of the RNLI's life-extension programme for the Severn class, as many of these vessels approach 25-30 years in service. Rather than replacing them, the RNLI is undertaking a rolling programme of refits that includes structural repairs, engine overhauls, upgraded navigation and communication systems, and refurbished crew areas. This initiative aims to extend each lifeboat's working life by up to 25 years.
While the refit was underway, a relief Severn-class lifeboat maintained emergency cover at Islay. On its return in June, the lifeboat was quickly back in action, launching just four days later to assist a yacht with engine failure in the Sound of Jura. The yacht was safely towed to Crinan, with the volunteer crew returning to station in the early evening.
This successful return marks a significant milestone for Islay RNLI and the wider Severn-class refit programme. With over 40 Severn-class lifeboats in the fleet, the RNLI's investment in extending their service life reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, operational readiness, and continued lifesaving excellence.
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In this week's issue:
Bowmore Sports Day, Visitor Levy falls out of favour, Lifeboat returns from re-fit, Caol Ila to take on sponsorship of Islay Jazz, Keills Primary gains Gold Award, Leisure Centre membership upgrade, Ella Edgar's Dancers' success in Ireland, Jamie MacTaggart Award winner, Ardbeg Triples bowling, Gaelic walks, Islay Rugby in Orkney, Cantilena Festival, Craig Walker's Walk on the Wild Side, Islay Golf Club, Music review: Pete Johnstone - Resistance is Futile, Museum of Islay Life, Brought to book: Charlène reviews The Malt Whisky Murders, Cancer Support Group news, School computer replacements, Funding for worker accommodation on Islay, Keills Primary's Pocket Garden, Film Review, Rhinns Lighthouse Festival, Book Review: Gil Waugh's The Piper's Lullaby.
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Caol Ila Islay Jazz Festival
After 15 successful years under the Lagavulin banner, a new headine sponsor is now in place. Caol Ila - under the same Diageo umbrella as Lagavulin - has taken over with an expanded new three year arrangement to further the ambitions and development of the Festival.
John Youngs, Jazz Scotland's new CEO told the Ileach, 'We're delighted that our friends at Diageo have committed to supporting the festival for the next three years."
Not changing, however, is Jazz Scotland and Islay Arts Association's planning for a wide range - this year probably the widest yet - of musical styles. Top players and singers from the vibrant Scottish scene have been booked, along with artists from much further afield, with local talent as always also being featured.
The Festival will open with concerts in atmospheric settings in the distillery itself, followed by events in venues across the island. Musical collaborations, often one-offs unique to Islay, have become a particular feature of the festival and these are once more being encouraged within the programming. The dates are 19 - 21 Sepember.
A limited number of 40 Festival Passes will go on sale from 24 July. Islay residents will also be eligible for priority booking and discounts for the festival, also from 24 July. Tickets will be available online only through the Jazz Scotland website.
islayjazzfestival.co.uk/
Eleanor Gilles, Brand Home Manager at Caol Ila and Lagavulin, said, "The Jazz Festival brings with it a real buzz to the island, and it's great to have Caol Ila as the headline sponsor for the first time. With a name like 'The Sound of Islay', it feels like Caol Ila was destined to host such a brilliant celebration of music.
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Music review
Peter Johnstone Quartet. Resistance is Futile.
Peter Johnstone first made headlines as pianist with Tommy Smith's Quartet, featuring at the Islay Jazz Festival several years ago. More recently, he appeared with saxophonist Paul Towndrow and drummer Tom Bancroft at the final night's concert of the 2024 Islay Festival.
Although often to be found at the piano, his favoured instrument would appear to be the Hammond B3 organ which he plays to superb effect on this, his first release as bandleader.
And, perhaps ironically, one prominent member of this quartet is saxophonist, Tommy Smith. Yet arguably even more prominent, is the inclusion of American vibraphonist, Joe Locke, whose admiration for Johnstone's playing effectively prompted the formation of the quartet two years ago.
The final member of the band is drummer Alyn Cosker, a regular at the Islay Jazz Festival and the 'go to' drummer for many Scottish jazz musicians. I'm assuming that the album title is derived from the threatening Borg pronouncement on Star Trek, but it might also relate to the eight original compositions on the album; I was well-disposed towards Johnstone's playing before listening, but for a first release, this is a veritable tour de force.
And unlike several band-leaders, Johnstone is remarkably generous to his quartet, rather than hogging the limelight for himself. In fact, I'd go so far as to say, his own musical contributions are admirably restrained, yet indispensible.
The title track is predominantly shaped by Cosker's immaculate drumming, underpinned the whole way by Johnstone's Hammond. However, Joe Locke is the perfect foil for Smith's extravagant sax with a more subtle, if not less complex contribution.
And you definitely get your money's worth from this album; none of the first three tracks are less than 18 minutes in length. In fact, the shortest track of eight is 14 minutes.
Standout for this reviewer is 'Fleeting Dreams', which opens with gritty, repeating sax, backed by Johnstone's and Locke's ethereal opening ostinato before expanding into a jewel of a track.
Those of a certain age may recall the so-called 'Canterbury Scene' of the late 1960s, of which there are several joyous echoes to be witnessed throughout 'Resistance is Futile'. One of the best debut jazz titles in recent years.
bp
Resistance is Futile is available on Bandcamp.
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Book review
The Piper's Lullaby. Gil Waugh. Amazon publishing paperback 368pp £12.99
'The Piper’s Lullaby' is the third book in Gil Waugh's Sandalwood Investigation Agency Series, following 'Evening Song' reviewed in the Ileach last year. The author is based in Ottowa, Canada, but has an apparent soft spot for Islay, with both this and book two featuring Islay as at least part of the backdrop for his intriguing narratives.
The book opens with eighty year-old Red (Ruaraidh) MacEachern and marginally younger friend, Alex Campbell at Bowmore's Lochside Hotel for lunch. Move forward a few pages, and Red has apparently succumbed to a heart attack. Not entirely suspicious for such an elderly (though fit) octagenarian.
His grandson, Alasdair MacEachern (Dair), receives the news in Ottowa, Canada and takes a few precious days' leave from his work in government cybersecurity to travel to Islay for the funeral.
Staying in the old man's cottage at Gartnatra, he opens a package left for him by Red, a package that contains an original and very valuable MacCrimmon chanter, made by the family of pipers historically associated with Clan MacDonald.
In the process of looking through the contents of Red's 'cedar chest', including old photos and memorabilia of his family, he discovers a floorboard that appears to contain secrets below. And that's pretty much where Alasdair MacEachern's problems begin.
Uncovering a metal box under that floorboard, containing inexplicable, historical items, on his return to Canada he engages the services of Karen and Steve, collectively known as the Sandalwood Investigation Agency, to verify the objects' origins and what they might mean.
Gil Waugh has produced yet another, fast-paced and compulsive narrative, this time involving a little-known period in Scottish history, not only featuring Islay, but the Isle of Skye, the Clan MacLeod and UK government agencies, several of which are not what they at first seem.
There is a hint of the science fiction that played out in 'Evening Song', but like many effective thrillers, an explosive finale reveals all. Great summer reading.
Available on Amazon.
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