Blasstal: a series about food and folklore on the Isle of Man

When Katie Callin and I went to the Isle of Man (their homeland!) in March 2020 to record Bonnag: A Manx Documentary, we both felt like there was a lot more to explore in terms of the island’s historic foods and their folklore connections. So here we are!

Blasstal is a three part series about the most iconic Manx foods and the superstitions, folklore, songs and traditions about them. It’s generously supported by Culture Vannin, the Manx heritage foundation.

The series launched on 31st October 2022, and you can listen to the trailer here, or watch the video version below.

Blasstal won Podcast of the Year at the 2023 Fortnum and Mason Food and Drink Awards.

Moots

Skeddan

Loaghtan

Our beautiful artwork is by Isle of Man based illustrator Vicky Webb, aka Crumpets and Crabsticks.

Our theme music was composed specially for the series by the award-winning Manx harpist and composer Mera Royle.

Here’s some behind the scenes photos from recording in November 2021.