Episode

Agroecology around Arran - Growing Community Episode

Podcast
R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In
Published
Jul 10, 2026
Duration seconds
2560
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not_requested
Canonical source
https://shows.acast.com/r2kast/episodes/agroecology-around-arran-growing-community-episode
Audio
https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/65885e0cfa5a340016e3e287/e/6a330c480eff8315219380f4/media.mp3
JSON
/v1/public/podcasts/r2kast-people-in-food-and-farming-all-in-6734636/episodes/agroecology-around-arran-growing-community-episode
Markdown
/podcast/r2kast-people-in-food-and-farming-all-in-6734636/agroecology-around-arran-growing-community-episode.md

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Summary

In this episode we meet four inspiring guests who are championing small-scale horticulture, alternative food systems and pollinator conservation on Arran. We learn how market gardens, community growing projects and foraging initiatives are helping to celebrate local produce, reconnect people with the land and strengthen social wellbeing. We also explore the important role that bees and honey production play in supporting biodiversity and food production across the island.  Episode guests Simon Ross-Gill Simon is the Director and Project Coordinator of  The Arran Pioneer Project CIC , a project working to regenerate Scotland’s wild and natural landscapes in a way that incorporates rural communities while securing jobs and livelihoods for young people. The Pioneer Project runs several community gardens around Arran. Simon also works as a graphic designer specialising in books, handbooks, flyers and interpretive materials focussed on landscape, environment and community. He is passionate about working with local people to build a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system. Robin Gray Robin is a chef, grower and owner of  Robin Gray’s Island Gourmet , a take-away food business in Whiting Bay demonstrating how sustainably produced, seasonal ingredients can be used to celebrate the unique flavours of Arran. Zoë Hughes Zoë is a Wild Food Educator who runs  Wild Food Arran  and has been teaching foraging and wild food identification for over 4 years. She is a member of the Association of Foragers and completely obsessed with mushrooms! Andy Walker Andy has been keeping bees on Arran for more than 20 years. He moved to the island with his family in 1999 to work for the Forestry Commission and, although now retired, continues to work part…