Ian Hamilton
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ianhamiltonbbc.bsky.social
Ian Hamilton
@ianhamiltonbbc.bsky.social
Journalist, guide dog owner, potter
This week Major retired and I had a very strange walk around the Block. My latest Blog. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
It’s basically Blind Date, but instead of Cilla Black shouting “Surprise!,” you just hope contestant number three doesn’t eat tissues or chase pigeons.
Its the step towards my next Guide Dog
open.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Tonight 8 pm #BBCScotlandChannel #MyKindOfTown Major and I are in Coupar Fife
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
This is the kind of engine I could do with on my tandem bike. Sadly, instead, they use 9 of these to launch rockets. Out filming at Skyrora, a Scottish rocket manufacturer today #space #rockets
October 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
You're nicked! ... if you don't tune in to this week's My Kind of Town. It's in Peterhead where I learned about one of the former major employers; the Peterhead Prison. It's now a museum but was home to some of Scotland's most notorious prisoners. On the BBC Scotland channel, 8pm tomorrow night
October 7, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The next episode of #MyKindOfTown #Peterhead it’s on Wednesday this time at 8pm, #BBCScotlandChannel, brought forward a day because of the football. Here is a link to my latest blog with more. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
PETERHEAD MY KIND OF TOWN
Picture of James the camera man taking a photograph of my “fishy” graphic shirt in honour of my visit to Peterhead
open.substack.com
October 5, 2025 at 11:28 AM
If he didn’t catch the new episode of #MyKindOfTown you can watch it on the iPlayer when I find out all about Alloa. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
My Kind of Town - Series 6: 1. Alloa
Ian Hamilton and his guide dog Major visit Alloa, a town famous for brewing and glassmaking. Ian takes on a judo champion and tries the beer at the town’s last remaining brewery.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
We've been flat to the mat this summer, as I've been throwing my weight around in Alloa for #mykindoftown . Tomorrow night, at 8pm on the BBC Scotland channel and iPlayer, it's a new town and yet another new outfit.
October 1, 2025 at 11:06 AM
No tablet or fudge was harmed in the making of this - but some was sampled by myself for quality control. Helen at the Ochil Fudge Company oversaw my trial shift. Eventually, I cracked it. Here’s a sneak peak at the new My Kind of Town in Alloa, on BBC Scotland channel Thursday at 8pm and on iPlayer
September 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
#MyKindOfTown returns Thursday, the 2nd of October 8pm on the #BBCScotlandChannel we’re in #Alloa read my blog for some background details. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
“My Kind of Town” comes to Alloa
2nd October BBC Scotland Channel 8pm
open.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 12:57 PM
ihamilton.substack.com/p/car-sick-s...
More sun and frolics, some fun in a sea of crazeyness
Car sick, Sea Sick, love sick
Video of Ian in the far distance on the beach, he is a little dark profile against a huge stormy sky and Major is running towrds him
ihamilton.substack.com
September 21, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Hope you are all having a good Sunday. Here is my latest blog on my adventures in the Western Isles. Enjoy. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
Wind, Waves and Ferry Tantrums
Cheerfulness personified, that was us
open.substack.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Here is my latest blog. It’s a guest post this week from my friend Mark in London about his new guide dog and when they met up with the boarders. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
Hunting Zebras And Life with the Boarders
Last week I touched on the role of the Puppy Walkers, sorry, I should say Puppy Raisers as they’re now called.
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Read my latest blog about my visit to the guide dog Centre visit in Forfar last week. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
They Don’t Train Guide Dogs the Old Way Anymore.
Forget firm corrections or a stern voice.
open.substack.com
August 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Knock knock.

Who's there?

It's me again on BBC Radio 4's #InTouch programme.

I've been to the #EdinburghFestival and spoken to some visually-impaired performers. It's on air at 20:40 this evening on #bbcradio4. Here's a taster of tonight's pack.

No heckling here.
August 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM
From plaster cast to standing ovation and near miss with the telly, my latest blog. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
Carry On Crutches.
From plaster cast to standing ovation, and a near-miss with the telly.
open.substack.com
August 24, 2025 at 11:04 AM
My latest blog, for you lovers of the #EdinburghFestival and theatre. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
Edinburgh Fringe, and a German Shepherd with Stage Ambitions
(There are two people visible in the image.
open.substack.com
August 17, 2025 at 11:08 AM
My guide dog Major retires at Christmas. I’m currently going through the application process for a new one. In my blog the continuing tail of my friend going through his training for a new dog. I hear about the new training methods. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
Polly the Wonder Dog
For regular readers, you’ll know I’ve been following the story of my friend Mark in London as he’s been getting to know his new guide dog.
open.substack.com
August 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Last week we filmed with Ally, who's become Scotland's first wheelchair-using racing driver. He says he's determined to become professional, and race at the highest level. See our story across Radio Scotland TV today.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Paralysed teenager becomes racing driver in Scottish first
Ally Chalmers, 17, took up motor racing after being paralysed from the waist down in a skiing accident.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 10:52 AM
My latest blog, try the telephone it still works. The art of communication. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
The art of communication
Why soft skills still matter. Pick up the phone. It works.
open.substack.com
August 3, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Here is my latest blog read and enjoy. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
“It’s Not Easy Being Green” as Kermit the Frog Once Said.
“Being blind isn’t as good as being sighted.” Obvious, isn’t it?
open.substack.com
July 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Here is my latest blog. Apologies to those with a vivid imagination, particularly for the second half of my musings.  open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
Body Rubs and Close Shaves
“I was spread out like a starfish and covered in warm oil.”
open.substack.com
July 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
My latest blog travelling to India first class so many buttons. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
Travel to India: So Many Buttons, So Little Time
(Ai generated photo of a man sitting on a plane bamboozled with the number of buttons on the arm of his chair)
open.substack.com
July 6, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Here is my latest blog please share. open.substack.com/pub/ihamilto...
Life Is a Stage.
“Oops. The actress has just been smacked in the face by a flying raspberry ripple.”
open.substack.com
June 29, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The bags are packed. The dog treats are ready. The crew has been assembled. Time to head to #Peterhead for another My Kind of Town. A couple of weeks ago, we went for a nose about as you'll see in this short film

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUaz...
Peterhead - My Kind of Town
YouTube video by Ian Hamilton
www.youtube.com
June 13, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Our latest TV report for BBC Scotland News. I spoke to a family who have begun receiving debt collection letters over a disputed fee for their daughter's support and care while at Scotland's only college for students with complex disabilities.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjhh...
Debt collectors sent to claim money from young disabled woman
YouTube video by Ian Hamilton
www.youtube.com
June 13, 2025 at 9:32 AM