Living History is a major new programme produced on behalf of Isles FM by the Islands Book Trust. Looking in depth at the history of the Western Isles each series of the programme focusses on a particular topic.

Series 1 during autumn 2009 looked at islands that have become de-populated and the reasons behind that change. The series manages to draw parallels between the various islands and find common threads while highlighting subtle differences between them

Programme 1 looks at Tarransay, the island made famous in the Castaway series on BBC television. The programme is available as a podcast here.

Scarp is the subject of the second programme. Close to the coast of Harris Scarp has similar reasons for loosing its population. The programme is available as a podcast here.

Programme 3 looks at Pabbay in the Sound of Harris. There are differences in the reasons behind de-population as compared to the earlier islands discussed.  The programme is available as a podcast here.

The next programme in the series takes us to the North and West of Lewis to the island of Rona. This is much further from the mainland of Lewis and Harris than previous islands, so how did that affect de-populations. The programme is available as a podcast here.

The next 2 programmes in the series move away from Scottish islands and look at the Blasket Islands. Situated off the west coast of Ireland the Blaskets were abandoned in the 50s. The programmes give an interesting comparison with the reasons behind islands becoming de-populated. The culture and literature of the islands is also discussed. The first part is available here and part 2 can be found here.

The final programme in the series looks at St Kilda. These iconic islands have a unique place in history but are they so different from other islands? Find out in the final programme available here.