Excerpts from issue 53/25 19 September 2026
Pier of the realm
As work continues at Port Ellen Pier, CMAL released the above image showing the considerable inlay of rock and gravel to provide a stable base for the enhanced pier facilities designed to accommodate the MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal.
The project includes improvements to vehicle marshalling, staff and visitor parking, commercial port operations, passenger access to vessels, and the provision of improved terminal facilities for Port Ellen.
Photo: CMAL
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Islay Smoke House at Lagavulin
Gus Newman of Lagavulin-based Islay Sea Adventures, has added another string to his already comprehensive bow, with the addition of Islay Smoke House based, alongside the boat and fibreglass facilities in Lagavulin Bay.
Day to day operation of the new smoke house will be handled by Gus and his niece Kayleigh Farrell, along with assistance from Leo Carruthers. Gus told the Ileach that he is delighted with the feedback they have received so far conerning this latest venture and addition to the facilities available on the island.
The smoke house specialises in premium, hand-crafted, hot and cold smoked salmon and smoked kippers, all smoked over oak wood chips to create rich, distinctive flavours. According to Gus, "We're using only carefully sourced, Scottish seafood." Two years in the making, following a considerable amount of hard work behind the scenes, Gus and his staff are delighted that the smoke house is now officially up and running, with all legislation, compliance requirements and shelf-life testing successfully completed. Kayleigh has completed her Seafish-approved smoking course, undertaken with renowned UK seafood smoking expert, Ivan Jaines White. Kayleigh said, "With the team fully-trained and everything in place, we're ready to bring you the very best in smoked produce."
Smoked Salmon from Islay Smoke House is delicately dry-cured by hand and slowly smoked over those oak wood chips, developing a 'rich, silky texture and deep, distinctive flavours'.
Available both hot and cold smoked, each batch is crafted using carefully selected ingredients and 'Islay-time' to create a high-quality, handcrafted product.
"Our Islay Smoked Kippers", said Gus, "are carefully cured and slowly smoked over oak wood chips, creating a rich, savoury flavour and a firm, succulent texture. With their distinctive, deliciously smoky character, they capture the taste of Islay and the care that goes into every hand-crafted kipper."
He added that they will also will also be launching hot smoked salmon with an Islay honey and whisky glaze. The Smoke House also intends to offer a custom smoking service, providing personalised smoking solutions tailored to individual preferences and special occasions.
Customers can choose from a selection of locally-sourced ingredients, including Islay honey or an Islay whisky (or gin) of their choice, to create a truly unique smoked product with a distinctive taste and character.
More details, including contact information, can be found at islay-smoke-house.co.uk
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In this week's issue:
Islay Jazz Festival review, Islay Marathon, Portnahaven Church Open Day, Islay Rum's Ben Inglis shortlisted for Distiller of the Year, Port Ellen Pier progress, In memory of Tom Thomson, Mactaggart leisure Centre upgrade works, Port Ellen Primary School page, Ladies golf Open Day competition, Islay's new smokehouse, Craig Walker's Walk on the Wild Side, Travelling Gallery visits IHS, Lt. Colonel Alexander 'Lex' McCorkindale, Music review - Drums and Friends; John Wadham.
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Music review
Drums and Friends - John Wadham. Livia Records.
With a brief search on the web, it's possible to find and purchase a t-shirt, sweatshirt or hoodie bearing the words: Gene & Buddy & Louie & ..., a graphic reference to three of history's greatest drummers. On the basis of 'Drums and Friends', it would be prudent to add 'John' after that third ampersand.
Possibly one of jazz music's best kept secrets, John Wadham is featured on this, his only recording as leader, alongside the inestimable Irish guitarist, Louis Stewart, astounding flautist, Brian Dunning and bass players, Frank Hess and Martin Walsh.
I confess to having never once come across Wadham in the entire time I have been listening to, or playing jazz, a grave omission which made this recording a very welcome arrival.
The recording covers several standards from Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and John Coltrane, the latter an intriguing rendition of 'Naima' by guitarist, Louis Stewart, framed by Wadham’s shimmering cymbals and rolling toms.
There's also an extended drums and guitar improvisation by Wadham and Stewart, strategically placed halfway through the album's running order. The interplay between the two is worth the price of admission alone.
Born in Surrey, but moving to Ireland with his family in 1953, self-taught Wadham ultimately became the first choice for visiting and local musicians, playing every style from be-bop to big band, and became regularly featured on RTE television.
Berklee trained flautist, Brian Dunning, was previously reviewed in the Ileach as one half of 'Alone Together' a recording with Louis Stewart. Here, he is outstanding on both Hubbard's 'Clarence's Place' and track 2, 'Floatin', while bassist Hess stridently underpins everything, equalled in every way by Martin Walsh who takes over bass duties on Shorter's 'Footprints'.
Wadham's drumming is remarkably precise, yet relaxed, there to support the music and never to draw attention to itself. Wadham recorded only this one album as leader, preferring to remain in a supportive role for the majority of his career (he passed away in 2003).
'Drums and Friends' was originally recorded in Dublin in 1978. This 2026 remastered release includes 'Footprints' and 'Naima' from the 1975 sessions for Louis Stewart's 'Louis the First' album.
It's a recording that is every bit the equal of anything released by jazz stalwarts from across the pond and well worth becoming an integral part of any jazz fan's record collection.
bp
'Drums and Friends'is available from Livia Records, or on Bandcamp.
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This is Islay
2026 Podcast of the Year featuring individuals, personalities and features of Islay and Jura. Listen now at https://anchor.fm/thisisislay
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