Broadcasting “across the Western Isles from the heart of the Hebrides,” Isles FM is a bit of misnomer. Based in a tiny Stornoway studio, our community and volunteer-run radio station, 103 MHz on the dial (not that anyone has dials these days), is more than slightly preoccupied with the Isle of Lewis. Generally speaking the station’s signal disappears once you’re in Harris (though people on the western coastal mainland apparently hear it loud and clear).


Isles FM might strike the unknowing first-time listener as a Christian broadcaster. My understanding is that the station’s origins can be traced back to some Rev.’s house as well as the Western Isles Hospital radio. A portion of the original on-air “talent” -- some still very much in action -- must come from the staunch Presbyterian portion of community.

There is a weekly programme called Not Ashamed, where a guest gives testimony on his/her conversion to Christ. Sunday, needless to say, is given over completely to the Messiah and his worshipers. There are few other stray broadcasts focused on the inspiration of The Word. A couple of times every morning, listeners are treated to the word of God as interpreted by a Protestant believer (followed by, shudder, a Christian tune), and more likely than not the guest speaker is a member of the Free Church of Scotland. Changes appear to be afoot, however. They recently ceased to end the morning programme with it, as had been the practice.


One gets used to all this, although I do wonder if UK broadcasting regulations shouldn’t insist that the occasional heathen, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, et al, should not get a crack at the proverbial spiritual whip.

More embarrassing are some of the presenters, who don’t seem quite up to the task. A veteran (who was apparently once the Musical Director) referred on more than one occasion to a Chuck Berry song as by Buddy Holly. Self-same presenter didn’t have any script to read recently for the “drive-time programme” and pronounced that there was “no local news” that day. Periods of dead air are not uncommon although a paid station manager hired in the spring/summer has corrected most of the technical glitches. Some of the broadcasters are unfortunately consumed by the rubbish UK pop charts, techno dance, and cheesy shit.

Still, Isles FM is what I listen to most of the time when at home or driving back and forth to town. And it is not purely for darkly humorous reasons. There is a healthy dose of quite good contemporary Celtic folk, roots, and American Country and Western -- the latter hosted by an smoothly avuncular voiced presenter named Lionel Sewell.

The BBC also broadcasts to the Highland and Islands from Stornoway, too, almost entirely in Gaelic. But Isles FM features more of the local music (including Indy acts such The Boy Who Trapped the Sun) and cultural scene, which is surprisingly lively and not so restricted to the predominant Celtic/Folk vein (as is BBC Gaelic radio content).

Why am I telling you? You can listen from anywhere thanks to the web. I want to promote one programme in particular: Campbell and Co., hosted by Norman Campbell, airing every Saturday, 3-5pm local time (five hours ahead of NYC time / eight for SF). Norman has a voice for publishing but nevertheless attracts musical guests in run-ups to their gigs. He always plays a charmingly idiosyncratic (with a particular love of Dylan) and authentically intriguing set most weekends. His co-hosts don’t share his excellent, eclectic tastes but it is a testament to him that they are encouraged to play what they want.

Check it out: www.isles.fm