Fandom in the Outer Hebrides: Gaelic, Klingon, and Star Trek

Host Robert welcomes Callum and Martin, two members of the Star Trek and sci-fi community in the Outer Hebrides and OH!CON Isle of Lewis. The episode begins with greetings in both Klingon and Gaelic. Callum and Martin then discuss their earliest memories of Star Trek. For Callum, the Motion Picture shuttlecraft was his first captivating view. Martin remembers watching the Original Series (TOS) on an old-style television. He notes that Star Trek was one of the first and best sci-fi shows. Martin especially praises the show's futuristic concept of a diverse crew, featuring a black female and a Russian, all acting as equals.

Deep Space Nine: The Best TV Show Ever Made

The discussion moves through the decades of Star Trek. Callum watched reruns of TOS on BBC Two. He eventually watched The Next Generation (TNG) and Deep Space Nine (DS9). Callum states that DS9 is his favorite. He calls it one of the best TV shows ever made. Furthermore, he names Garak as his favorite character and "Far Beyond the Stars" as one of the most emotional episodes. Both Callum and Martin moved back to the island and found each other through the "Alba" Star Trek fan page. They agree on the importance of having a local group to talk about Star Trek and other sci-fi.

The Origins of OH!CON Isle of Lewis

The conversation pivots to the local convention, OH!CON. The organizers held the inaugural meetings to set up the Comic Con. The original plan was to hold the first event in May 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the world. The website went dark for two years. The first event was eventually held in October 2022 because organizers could not book a summer venue. They credit "The Admiral" Kathleen and John for masterminding the convention. Callum and Martin never doubted the crowd's appetite for the OH!CON Isle of Lewis convention.

Comic Con Culture and Audience Appetite

The enthusiasm for OH!CON, especially after lockdown, was immense. Martin and Callum mention that the town of Stornoway set a world record for the most people per head of population turning out to watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This proved the island has always had an appetite for "geek stuff". The Friday night geek quiz was a huge success. The first year, Callum had to type quiz questions as the first round was happening. He knew they had something special when he saw the tables filling up. Now in its third year, OH!CON has demonstrated it is a "proper thing" in the Outer Hebrides.

Cosplay and the Future of the Isle of Lewis Sci-Fi Community

The hosts discuss cosplay at the OH!CON Isle of Lewis event. Islanders are typically reserved. Organizers were stunned by the creativity and level of the costumes, including a Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman. Anime is a popular choice for younger attendees. Cosplayers walking around Stornoway town center confused some of the older folk. The host expresses disappointment that he missed the 2023 convention due to a canceled ferry. He assures the guests he will clear his schedule and return next year to attend the OH!CON Isle of Lewis convention.

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