Donald and Fiona MacKenzie

Donald and Fiona MacKenzie

Donald and Fiona are married and moved to the Isle of Canna in 2015 which has a population of just 16. Donald is the harbourmaster for the island and Fiona is the archivist at Canna House, both working for the National Trust for Scotland. With both of their job roles significantly impacted due to lockdown, a huge reduction in tourists and their family on the mainland unable to visit, their interview allows for a personal insight into how lockdown has affected themselves and their community both positively and negatively. They also reflect on the family milestones they weren’t able to be there for such as their daughter’s engagement and the birth of their first grandchild which was extremely difficult for them both. They both talk about their individual job roles on the island and how these contribute to the community as well as describing the strangeness of the past year and the struggles faced due to the distance from the mainland and the ferry operating on a winter timetable for 19 months. Their joint interview allows for a unique insight into this tiny but vibrant community and their challenges and triumphs of lockdown from food shortages to family zoom quizzes.