The Forest Janny

In this sixth episode I chat to Spean Bridge resident Neal Parrish. I first met Neal on the second week that I moved up to the area and quickly got on to the topic of bothies where it was revealed that Neal was chairman of the Mountain Bothy Association in the 1970s.Since then I have visited Neal at his home many times and have enjoyed hearing his stories about the outdoors. After several weeks we finally sat down and recorded our chat and I'm excited to now share that with you.Amongst many other things Neal tells me about travelling as a young man, hitching a lift from Nepal all the way back to the UK and how the world of bothies and bothying has changed over the years. We recorded the conversation on a sunny, warm evening in May 2025 in the kitchen of the home that Neal designed and helped to build in the 1980s and where he and his wife Sally have lived ever since.Enjoy!

In this fifth episode I managed to get a chat with local climbing legend Mick Tighe at his home in Glen Roy. In a barn at the back of his house Mick has created The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection, which contains items related to climbing and the outdoors that he's gathered or had donated to him from around the world.Amongst other things Mick introduces me to several amazing artefacts from the collection which leads to a very special moment for me as I come as close as it's possible to get to one of my outdoor heroes.It's Mick's dream to have the items on display to the public in a museum. From spending time at his surrounded by the collection I hope this is something that he is able to achieve. To find out more or to make a donation visit smhc.co.ukPresent throughout the interview is Mick's wife Cath. I really appreciated them taking the time to chat to me and for their generosity in showing me the special collection.Enjoy!

NTS Ranger Lindsay Warner tells the story of the Douglas Fir cone. With piano accompaniment by The Highland Janny.

In this fourth episode I chat to Rory Stewart who is manager of Nevis Landscape Partnership. Amongst other things we speak about his favourite wild places in Scotland and some of the issues facing them. I met Rory on a beautiful sunny day at the start of Spring in the Curling Ponds in Glen Nevis. Enjoy!

In this third episode I speak to Lindsay from Glencoe National Nature Reserve. Amongst other things she tells me about growing up on the Isle of Mull, surrounded by incredible wildlife and why she thinks bogs are misunderstood. I chatted to Lindsay on a beautiful Spring day at the back of Glencoe Visitor Centre with all the birds tweeting in the background. Enjoy!

In this second episode I speak to Lisette from Glen Nevis Estate. Amongst other things we chat about her move from the Netherlands to here and some surprising information about sheep. I met with Lisette and her dog Munro on a very sunny day in Glen Nevis at the beginning of April. Enjoy!

In this first episode I speak to Bryony and Anna from Arkaig Community Forest and what brought them to where they are now and a bit about the work they do there.