Key headlines:
• Teens embrace wilderness challenge with unexpected consequences
• A father’s search for a long-lost son
• New children’s drama
• FUNC comedy for Christmas
• Piper Alpha, 30 years on, families reflect
• Singer and musician, Colin Macleod, meets James Corden
THERE is a wealth of original content this Christmas on BBC ALBA, from heart-wrenching documentaries, to fantastic children’s drama with music and celebrations in between.
Kicking off festivities is Ceathrar air Chuairt, with four teenagers braving the wilds of the Scottish Highlands bereft of mod-cons.
Over three consecutive days, starting on Christmas Eve, wild swimming social media sensation, Calum Maclean, joins Lachlan, Megan, Clare Frances and Angus as they try and become self-sufficient in inhospitable conditions. There is laughter, tears and clashing personalities, on the very rocky road.
Calum Maclean, star of BBC ALBA’s Dhan Uisge and BBC’s The Social, says: “Our expedition was a great challenge, which never exactly went to plan! Viewers will see how four normal young Scots deal with some of the harshest weather, relentless hard walking and maybe toughest of all – each other!”
An emotional search for a long-lost brother and son, A’ Sireadh Sascha, follows popular Gaelic singer, Mischa Macpherson, a BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner, as she travels to Germany with her father, Lachie, to find the son he last saw 34 years ago.
A real Christmas Day treat is in store for BBC ALBA’s young viewers with a new drama, A-null ‘s a-nall: Buidheagain, the story of a young traveller girl’s fight to call a farm her home. The drama, created as part of a scheme by the European Broadcasting Union was written by Patsi MacKenzie and directed by former River City star, Tony Kearney.
Tony Kearney comments: “It’s a great script and a fantastic cast of young budding stars and so it feels like just the thing for families on Christmas Day.”
After a hugely popular debut this autumn, FUNC delivers a cheeky Christmas comedy special with guest appearances from well-known personalities in the world of politics and entertainment. FUNC is produced and directed by Michael Hines, one of the creators of Still Game.
2018 marked 30 years since the Piper Alpha tragedy. Piper Alpha: An Sgàil is a moving personal documentary following journalist, Iona Ballantyne, as she meets families whose loved ones were lost as well survivors of the disaster.
On Boxing Day, Colin MacLeod – When it Kicks In follows the singer-songwriter from Lewis as he starts to make a real impact in the music industry.
When he’s not playing music, writing songs or surfing, Colin fishes and works with his dad at home on their croft on the Isle of Lewis.
This is in sharp contrast to the heady world of international music he has just entered. Colin signed a new deal with a major record label in the US which took him to guesting on the The Late Late Show with James Corden and supporting his boyhood hero Robert Plant at the O2 in London.
BBC ALBA has had unique access to Colin across 2018 to create a personal portrait of this not-so-regular rock star.
Playing with the nostalgia related to Christmas, Bho Chaorain gu Consoles will round-up the Christmas traditions across the generations, from when peat and coal were accepted gifts to the computer-based gaming traditions of recent years.
Other festive favourites on BBC ALBA will be a lively music performance from Mànran aig Barrowland and Christmas Eve reflections from Edinburgh’s historic Greyfriars Church, Nollaig Chridheil à Dùn Èideann 2018.
Cèilidh Na Bliadhn’ Ùire will round off BBC ALBA’s tenth anniversary year in traditional style. This year’s live event takes place in Govan Old Town Hall on the banks of the River Clyde. The show is hosted by Cathy Macdonald and Niall Iain Macdonald. More information and a full line-up will follow.
Finally, the centenary of the Iolaire disaster will be commemorated with an extensive schedule of programmes including documentaries, dramatic monologues, animation and special music and arts commissions. A full schedule of broadcast events will be released separately.
Mànran aig Barrowland airs on Saturday 22 December at 9pm
Ceathrar Air Chuairt airs on Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 December at 8.30pm
A’ Sireadh Sascha airs on Christmas Eve at 9pm
Nollaig Chridheil à Dùn Èideann 2018 airs on Christmas Eve at 11pm
A-null ‘s a-nall: Buidheagain airs on Christmas Day at 6.05pm
Bho Chaorain gu Consoles airs on Christmas Day at
FUNC airs on Christmas Day at 10pm
Colin MacLeod – When it Kicks In airs on Boxing Day at 9pm
Piper Alpha: An Sgàil airs on Hogmanay at 9pm
Cèilidh Na Bliadhn’ Ùire airs on Hogmanay from 11:30pm
ENDS
Issued by Electrify Marketing & Communications on behalf of BBC ALBA.
For further information please contact:
Isabelle Salter, Electrify Marketing & Communications
07967763650
isabelle@electrify.me.uk
Notes to editors:
BBC ALBA is available on the following platforms:
Sky – 141
Freeview / YouView – 7 (Scotland only)
Virgin Media – 161
Freesat – 109
BBC iPlayer
BBC ALBA is run by MG ALBA in partnership with the BBC. MG ALBA is the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, the Gaelic Media Service. Find out more about MG ALBA and the partnership at www.mgalba.com or visit www.bbcalba.co.uk for scheduling and programme information.
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Prìomh chinn-naidheachd:
• Deugairean ag amas air dùbhlain san fhàsach – ach chan eil cùisean a’ dol mar bu chòir
• Sgeulachd làidir, chumhachdach mu athair a tha a’ sireadh a mhac
• Dràma ùr chloinne
• FUNC @ An Nollaig
• Teaghlaichean a’ cuimhneachadh air Piper Alpha, 30 bliadhna an dèidh an sgrios
• Seinneadair à Leòdhas, Colin MacLeòid, a’ coinneachadh James Corden ann an LA
Bidh beartas de phrògraman ùra rim faicinn aig àm na Nollaige air BBC ALBA, bho phrògraman a bhlàthaicheas do chridhe gu dràma cloinne sònraichte, a thilleadh air ceòl is craic gu leòr eile cuideachd!
A’ cur na Nollaig air a casan tha Ceathrar air Chuairt. Tha ceathrar dheugaire ag amas air faighinn tro fhàsach fharsaing ann an Alba, Innis an Iasgaich air Taobh Siar Rois. Thairis trì là, a’ tòiseachadh an oidhche ron Nollaig, bidh Calum MacIlleathain, ainmeil airson a phrògram fhèin air BBC ALBA ‘Dhan Uisge’ agus airson The Social, air a’ bhlàr a-muigh cuide ri Lachlan, Megan, Clare Frances agus Angus, Gheibh iad fiosrachadh agus na chumas beò iad, ach bidh rud no dhà eile ann a dh’fheumas iad ionnsachadh dhaibh pèin.
Thuirt Calum: “B’ e dùbhlan dha-rìribh a bha seo le gu leòr a’ dol ceàrr air an t-slighe! Chi luchd-amhairc mar a chaidh do cheathrar dheugaire àbhaisteach a’ dèiligeadh ri droch aimsir, coiseachd gun chiall agus ‘s dòcha an rud as duilghe buileach, a’ feuchainn gun a dhol a-mach air a chèile!”
Tha A’ Sireadh Sascha ag innse sgeulachd làidir, chumhachdach mu theaghlach a tha a’ sireadh mac agus bràthair. Chithear an seinneadair Mischa Nic a’ Phearsain a’ siubhal dhan Gearmailt le a h-athair Lachie, a’ leantainn nan oidhirpean aca am mac nach fhaca e bho chionn 34 bliadhna a lorg.
Airson luchd-amhairc òga BBC ALBA, tha dràma ùr ri fhaicinn air Là na Nollaig. Chaidh A-null ‘s a-nall: Buidheagain, a chruthachadh mar phàirt de sgeama air a ruith le Aonadh Craolaidh na h-Eòrpa. Chaidh am film a sgrìobhadh le Patsi NicChoinnich agus a stiùireadh le Tony Kearney agus tha e ag innse sgeòil nighean òg, nach deach a-riamh dhan sgoil agus a tha air a teagasg le a màthair, agus mar a tha tuathanach suarach a’ feuchainn ri an ruaigeadh far an tuathanas aige.
Thuirt Tony Kearney: “‘Le sgriobt air leth math agus cleasaichean òga fìor chomasach, bidh an dràma seo dìreach math fhèin airson teaghlaichean air Là na Nollaig.”
Rinn FUNC brag nuair a nochd e an toiseachd as t-Foghar air BBC ALBA, a’ còrdadh gu mòr ris an luchd-amhairc agus tha FUNC a’ tilleadh le amaideas agus craic gu leòr eile airson na Nollaig! Air a riochdachadh agus air a stiùireadh le Michael Hines, fear de chruthadairean Still Game, chi sinn caractaran air a bheil sinn uile eòlach bho shaoghal phoilitigs is eile.
Tha 30 bliadhna bho thachair tubaist Piper Alpha agus ann am Piper Alpha: An Sgàil cluinnear bhon neach-naidheachd Iona Ballantyne ‘s i a’ coinneachadh ri teaghlaichean dhaoine a fhuair às beò agus feadhainn a chaill luchd-gaoil san tubaist.
An là às dèidh na Nollaig, chithear Colin MacLeod – When it Kicks In. Tha an seinneadair is sgrìobhadair òrain, Colin Macleòid à Eilean Leòdhais, air chuairt air gach taobh den Chuan Shiar às dèidh dha ainm a chur ri cùmhnant clàir ùr. Chì sinn e air chuairt le Jeff Beck agus Sheryl Crow, a’ nochdadh air The Late Late Show le James Corden agus a’ toirt taic do fhear a bha e a’ leantainn bho bha e òg, Robert Plant, san O2 ann an Lunnainn. Chan e dupadh chaorach, no iasgach nan giomach a th’ air aire neach-ciùil roc mar as trice, ach chan e rionnag roc àbhaisteach a th’ ann an Colin Macleòid.
Bidh Bho Chaorain gu Consoles a’ dùsgadh chuimhneachain mu phrèasantan a thug toileachas dhuinn, rè nam bliadhna, air madainnean Nollaig, bho làithean nuair a bhithear a’ faighinn mòine agus gual gu làithean nan geamannan consoil.
Am measg nan tiodhlacan Nollaig eile air BBC ALBA bidh ceòl bho Mànran aig Barrowland agus seirbheis bho Eaglais Greyfriars ann an Dùn Èideann, Nollaig Chridheil à Dùn Èideann 2018.
Bheir Cèilidh Na Bliadhn’ Ùire an 10mh ceann-bliadhna aig BBC ALBA gu crìoch à seann Talla Bhaile Ghobhainn, air bruaich Abhainn Chluaidh an Glaschu. Bidh aoighean am pailteas agus ceòl is craic gu leòr cuide ri Cathy NicDhòmhnaill agus Niall Iain Dòmhnallach. Thèid fios a bharrachd a sgaoileadh nas fhaisg air an àm.
Aig ceann na bliadhna bidh cuimhneachan sònraichte againn a’ comharrachadh ceud bliadhna bho chaillear an Iolaire le call beatha 201 neach. Bidh clàr de phrògraman ùra agus tasglann a’ toirt a-steach bàrdachd, ceòl, ealain, dràma agus sgeulachdan pearsanta air leth drùiteach. Thèid fios iomlan a sgaoileadh nas fhaisg air an àm.
Mànran aig Barrowland airs on Saturday 22 December at 9pm
Ceathrar Air Chuairt airs on Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 December at 8.30pm
A’ Sireadh Sascha airs on Christmas Eve at 9pm
Nollaig Chridheil à Dùn Èideann 2018 airs on Christmas Eve at 11pm
A-null ‘s a-nall: Buidheagain airs on Christmas Day at 6.05pm
Bho Chaorain gu Consoles airs on Christmas Day at
FUNC airs on Christmas Day at 10pm
Colin MacLeod – When it Kicks In airs on Boxing Day at 9pm
Piper Alpha: An Sgàil airs on Hogmanay at 9pm
Cèilidh Na Bliadhn’ Ùire airs on Hogmanay from 11:30pm
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