Radio That Knits Rural Perthshire Together

A phone call during lockdown set off a chain of events that reshaped local media in Perthshire. We sit down with Dave Mack and Scoogs to unpack how an online experiment became the force behind a revived Heartland FM—keeping a vital FM signal alive where DAB drops out, building a trusted What’s On guide, and turning a humble studio into a community classroom.We talk through the sound of the station: a melodic, easy daytime mix built for shops, cafes, surgeries, and workplaces, then a nightly switch to volunteer‑led specialty shows—folk, jazz, Celtic rock, classical, country, and Scottish music. Consistent slots make it easy to find your genre, while the Listen Again feature on the app and website lets you catch up anytime. Behind the mic, the Heartland Radio Foundation powers an education pipeline. With National Lottery support, the Heartland Academy now delivers SQA‑approved radio skills, giving students hands‑on training in audio production, interviewing, scripting, and public speaking. Teacher training multiplies that impact across schools, and adult courses help towns launch their own community podcasts.We also explore the engine room of growth: a redesigned website with self‑serve event listings, fast local news on socials, and real proof that promotion drives turnout. Venues are seeing more people through the door and more “heard it on Heartland FM” moments. Dave breaks down why FM still matters in hilly terrain, how online listening is rising, and why radio advertising works through memory and repetition. And if you’ve ever wanted to get involved, we share clear paths to volunteer, present, or partner—plus what a strong demo looks like and how we support new voices with training.If local music, practical news, and real community impact matter to you, this conversation shows how a small station can be a big connector. Subscribe, share with a friend in Perthshire, and leave a review to help more people find the show.