Strathearn Stories
Recorded in Johnston Media's Podcast Studio in Crieff
Produced by Johnston Media - https://johnstonmediapodcasts.co.uk
Hosted by Iain Johnston - Strathearn Stories
Guest - Nadia McNicol, founder of What the Sence

We sit down with Nadia McNicol, founder of What the Sence, to talk about why she would like to build a sensory and illusion activity centre in Crieff.


Imagine a place where a tough day can soften in minutes: a quiet room with gentle lights, a movement space with monkey bars, then a burst of wonder in an illusion gallery or a short VR adventure. That’s the heart of Nadia’s plan for What The Sense, a sensory and illusion activity centre in Crieff designed for children, teens, adults, and older people who need spaces that calm, delight, and include.

We talk through the lived experience that sparked the idea: raising two boys, one with microcephaly, and navigating outings that too often end in overwhelm, stares, and early exits. From there, the vision expands—multiple illusion rooms, an arcade and VR zone, a smaller dim sensory room for refuge, and a larger regulation room for climbing and jumping. The inclusive café and membership model aim to lower stress and cost for frequent visits while keeping families visible to one another across a sensory garden built for safe exploration. This isn’t a gimmick; it’s community wellbeing by design.

Support is growing fast. Local schools and NHS health visitors see clear benefits for mental and physical health. Media coverage has ranged from the Strathearn Herald to STV News, and the VR Collective in Houston highlighted the project’s global relevance. On the practical side, Perth and Kinross Council’s greenspace team is exploring off‑market sites, while private estate owners review a 101‑page business plan that maps feasibility, phasing, and sustainability. We also cover timelines, potential planning hurdles, and why a centre that works for neurodivergent people can make public life better for everyone—from overstretched parents to elders seeking gentle stimulation.

If this vision resonates, help us build momentum: share the episode, spread the word locally, and point us to land or partners who could unlock the next step. Subscribe, leave a review to boost the message, and tell us what your ideal sensory space would include.

We sit down with Anna White of Scotland Shop to explore how tartan turns heritage into something you can wear, design, and pass on. From the Doddy Tartan’s charity impact to great kilt demos, we map a global community anchored in wool, craft, and identity.

• shops in Crieff, Edinburgh, Duns and Albany
• thousands of registered tartans and variations
• identity through clans, districts and school uniforms
• designing new tartans with personal meaning
• Doddy Tartan as charity brand for MND
• store experience with sofas, clan of the month and demos
• kilt fabric weights, pricing and heirloom value
• accessories, jackets and styling options
• first kilt guidance and fittings
• global customers via video calls and events
• sustainability with Scottish-made wool
• women’s wear and multi-generational appeal
• local community links and tourism tips

Find us at scotlandshop.com or visit Edinburgh, Crieff, Duns and Albany