BBC ALBA has garnered five nominations at this year’s RTS Scotland Awards, a prestigious event that honours outstanding talent, skills, and creativity in Scottish TV production. These awards are regarded as the benchmark for excellence in the television industry.
The nominations span five categories: Live Event, Documentary and Specialist Factual: Arts & History, Camera, Children’s and Young Journalist presented in memory of George Sinclair.
Margaret Cameron, Director of Content for MG ALBA, said:
“It’s a testament to the consistent high quality of programming created for BBC ALBA that five entries spanning a range of different genres were nominated for RTS Scotland Awards this year. It’s particularly encouraging to see young talent being recognised, with nominations for both Hamish MacLeod and Ailean Beaton in their respective fields. Additionally, we’re delighted that BBC ALBA’s live music and children’s programmes are being acknowledgedas a reflection of the excellent content we have on the channel. Our congratulations to all of the RTS Scotland 2024 nominees. We look forward to finding out the outcome in the coming weeks.”
Here is the full list of BBC ALBA nominations:
The complete list of nominations can be found here.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony hosted by Shereen Cutkelvin and Sanjeev Kohli on Thursday, June 13th, at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow.
A team of Scottish Gaelic speakers have embarked on an educational trip to Nova Scotia to strengthen cultural ties with the allied province.
Celebrating Mìos nan Gàidheal, also known as ‘Gaelic Nova Scotia Month’, the team behind SpeakGaelic – MG ALBA’s Scottish Gaelic learning brand – will travel around the province of Nova Scotia to learn from locals and promote the language to those both new to and fluentin Gaelic.
Over the 10-day trip, SpeakGaelic will visit Halifax, Antigonish, Mabou, Judique, Iona and Sydney to build relationships with the diaspora of Gaels in Canada, celebrating the similarities – and differences – of the unique culture and way of life overseas. Sharing insights and showcasing the resources available, it is hoped the trip will help create a new network of Gaelic-speaking contacts on the other side of the Atlantic.
SpeakGaelic online producer Mirren Buchanan, who coordinated the overseas project, said: “Gaelic is not just a language but a culture endowed with a rich heritage of music, folklore and anthropology, and so it’s such an exciting opportunity for us to visit the Scottish Gaelic communities in Nova Scotia to see how this translates, and plays out, in their daily lives.
“With amazing SpeakGaelic resources now at our fingertips – and available to those around the world – we hope we can attract and inspire learners and speakers of all ages in Nova Scotia to take up, or brush up, on their Gaelic language skills.”
Sionainn MacMullin, from the Office of Gaelic Affairs at Cape Breton Council, said: “May is Mìos nan Gàidheal in Nova Scotia which is a time to celebrate and promote awareness of the history, culture, language, contributions, and achievements of Gaels across the province, supported by the Office of Gaelic Affairs and Comhairle na Gàidhlig | Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia.
“This year’s theme is ‘Gàidhealach nar Cridhe | Gaelic at Heart!’ – so what better way to highlight the history and heritage of Gaelic, which is very much alive today, than with the support of the SpeakGaelic team who will be showcasing just how easy it is to get involved in the language and culture. We hope the series of workshops and events we have planned across the province will encourage all Nova Scotians to engage with Gaelic during the month of May and beyond.”
SpeakGaelic aims to transform the uptake and usage of Gaelic by providing a clear and integrated structure for Gaelic language learning – the most comprehensive approach seen in a generation.
As well as supporting complete beginners, the materials support Gaelic speakers at different levels of fluency to gain confidence to ‘SpeakGaelic’. The exciting and ambitious learning resource offers users in Canada, and across the world, a variety of services from self-guided online learning to media content available through YouTube and social media.
Find out more about SpeakGaelic and start your Scottish Gaelic journey today at https://speakgaelic.scot/.
MG ALBA, the body responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality television programmes for audiences in Gaelic, is pleased to welcome four new members to its Board.
David Byrne, Catriona Murray, Lachlan Peel and Calum Steele will join as board members from May 1, 2024. Full biographies of each board member are available below.
The appointments have been agreed by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP, following a competitive recruitment process led by communications regulator Ofcom in Scotland.
Lisa Annette, Mairi Kidd, Ceit-Anna Macleod and Iain MacMillan each step down at their term on MG ALBA’s Board ends.
John Morrison, chair of MG ALBA, said:
“David, Catriona, Lachlan and Calum bring a wide array of talents, skills and experience from media, broadcasting, the public and private sectors, and we are delighted to welcome them to the Board.
“Through our work on BBC ALBA, FilmG, LearnGaelic and SpeakGaelic, MG ALBA has a vital role in not only facilitating Gaelic media but also promoting development, training and the use of Gaelic in Scotland and beyond – bringing with it huge social and economic benefits.
As a Board, we believe we are ready and able to build on this contribution with further investment and resources and this is a case we look forward to making with the input of our four new board members.
On behalf of the Board and staff and colleagues across the sector, I would also like to thank Lisa, Mairi, Ceit-Anna and Iain who conclude their terms with us. Their involvement has been vital in the success of our activities in recent years and we express gratitude for their time and commitment to serving our audiences.”
New appointees – Biographies
David Byrne
A Gaelic speaker from Inverness, David is an entrepreneur and 360° sustainable travel editor. His expertise has led to broadcast work with the BBC, ITV, and LBC, with his writing appearing in publications such as The Sun and The Scotsman. He is a postgraduate alumnus of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, where he also worked in a development role before joining BBC Scotland, working on the multi-award winning current affairs programme, Eòrpa. He is currently vice chair of the Hillhead High School War Memorial Trust.
Catriona Murray
A freelance broadcaster, producer and editor with over 35 years of production experience at the BBC with credits as both a producer and presenter on numerous feature programmes on literature, the arts, music, history and language. Catriona is also a published Gaelic author and served as the Chair of the Gaelic Books Council from 2017 – 2021. She is a native Gaelic speaker based in Glasgow.
Lachlan Peel
A product of Gaelic Medium Education, Lachlan currently works for JP Morgan in Edinburgh having graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in History. During his time at school, Lachlan competed in the short film competition, FilmG, where he won ‘Best Student Film’ and ‘Best Performance’ and has since continued to support the initiative as a judge.
Calum Steele
A recognised senior leader having spent fifteen years as General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation until 2023, where he developed and influenced policy both in Scotland and globally, including the merger that created the Police Service of Scotland. Prior to this, Calum was a police constable and remains on the International Council of Police Representative Associations. He is a native Gaelic speaker currently based in Dollar.
Meet the contestants of Dùbhlain DIY (Instructions Not Included)
Get ready for an electrifying DIY showdown this spring as amateur Scottish duos go head-to-head in a brand new TV challenge series, Dùbhlain DIY (Instructions Not Included).
Airing each Monday at 8.30pm from 6 May, the five-part BBC ALBA original series will follow six pairs – made up of married couples, family members and friends – as they compete for a £2,000 cash prize and the ‘Dùbhlain DIY champions’ title.
Inspiring the nation to ‘do it yourself’ in the name of sustainability, the innovative format will see rookie pairs battle it out in a series of home renovation tasks – with a twist. Without any instructions, demonstrations or even guidelines to follow, the couples will need to bring their differing strengths and creative talents to the competition to see who measures up.
Some may shine while others fall flat as they face a variety of themed challenges, but everything is to play for with one couple being eliminated each week, putting their skills – and relationships – to the test.
Hailing from across Scotland, the Dùbhlain DIY (Instructions Not Included) contestants include:
From basic flat pack furniture to their own creations made out of recycled materials, their imagination will be allowed to run riot, before being tempered by materials, time constraints and often, their own abilities.
Dùbhlain DIY competitor, Tormod Macleod said: “I do occasionally try my hand at DIY. I have built flatpacks like everyone else and have built a couple of basic raised beds for my garden. I do try to fix things when needed as well but I’m certainly not a professional.”
Hoping to learn a few things along the way, his solicitor sister Isabel Macleod added: “I learnt a lot from my dad – he was a fisherman, joiner and builder and could turn his hand to anything. I would often spend time helping him make and repair things but wish I’d learnt more! I always attempt to fix things around the house as I don’t like how wasteful society is. Not sure if I’m very good at some tasks but it’s always worth a try!”
Hosted by TV and radio presenter Derek “Pluto” Murray, alongside main judge musician Iain “Spanish” MacKay – a skilled joiner by trade – the Gaelic duo ensure there will be plenty of laughs along the way. Enlisting the help of an expert guest judge each week, viewers can join in with the excitement and exasperation as the couples vie for the title, with a display of improvisation at its best.
Presenter Derek “Pluto” Murray said: “Get ready for the ultimate test of creativity, ingenuity, and skill with our new DIY competition, pitching challenges with the twist of “instructions not included” – as if flat pack furniture building wasn’t stressful enough! Although the competitors lack in instructions, they excel in enthusiasm and craic.”
Judge Iain “Spanish” MacKay added: “It’s a celebration of the country’s DIY culture – whether an amateur enthusiast or someone who has had to pick up a hammer out of necessity, Dùbhlain DIY will give the viewers something they can relate to, even if it’s just seeing the sheer frustration of attempting even the most basic of DIY tasks. While offering feel-good escapism, we hope it’ll inspire those at home to get out there and start a new project of their own.”
But which couple can prove to the nation that they have what it takes to be the first ever ‘Dùbhlain DIY champions’ and still remain friends?
A joint project between Demus and Seaglass Productions, Dùbhlain DIY (Instructions Not Included) premieres on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer on Monday 6 May at 8.30pm (in Gaelic with English subtitles), with weekly episodes available every Monday evening. Watch live or on demand: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001z1xn
BBC ALBA has revealed the cast for brand-new TV crime thriller, An t-Eilean (The Island), with acclaimed Scottish actor Sorcha Groundsell taking the lead role.
Gaelic-speaking Sorcha Groundsell (His Dark Materials, Clique, Shetland and Netflix’s The Innocents) will play PC Kat Crichton, a police family liaison officer who returns to her home island as part of the investigation into a brutal and inexplicable murder.
Brought up in Ness on the Isle of Lewis, Sorcha moved to Glasgow at the age of nine to attend the Glasgow Gaelic School. Here, she took up drama classes at the Citizens Theatre and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before moving to London to pursue her acting career. Sorcha broke out in the States in 2018 with her starring role in the Netflix science fiction series The Innocents.
Sorcha Groundsell said: “I’m thrilled to be part of this incredible series and honoured to participate in breaking new ground for the Gàidhlig language. I have been hoping to find an opportunity to bring this element of my personal life, which means so much to me, into my professional work. I can’t think of a better project than An t-Eilean (The Island) to do so. This show feels like a momentous opportunity for us Gaels to share the language, culture and scenery we love so much with the wider world.”
Iain Macrae (Bannan, Outlander and Crowdie and Cream) has been confirmed to play self-made millionaire, Sir Douglas MacLean, while Sagar Radia (Industry, The Good Karma Hospital and Unicorns) will play the role of lead police investigator, DCI Ahmed Halim. The dysfunctional Maclean siblings will be played by Sinead Macinnes (Outlander and A90), and Skye-born actors Meredith Brook (Bannan) and Sam James Smith (Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Faustus: That Damned Woman). And in his first ever TV role, Andrew Macinnes from the Isle of Lewis has been confirmed in the part of Sir Douglas’ eldest son and black sheep of the family, Calum.
Edinburgh-based actor, writer and filmmaker Elspeth Turner (Riptide and Marram) will portray Sir Douglas’ murdered wife, Mary. Also appearing in supporting roles will be well-known South Uist actor Daibhidh Walker (Mara: The Seal Wife, An Clò Mòr and Bannan), Lewis-born Tormod Macleod and Carina Macleod, and exciting newcomer Sharyn Ferguson.
The spectacular Amhuinnsuidhe Castle in Harris will be the main location with filming also taking place across Harris, Lewis and Glasgow.
Arabella Page Croft, executive producer at Black Camel Pictures, the producers of An t-Eilean (The Island), said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Sorcha and the rest of the talented An t-Eilean (The Island) cast on this exciting new drama series. Packed full of complex and provocative characters, and set against the stunning Hebridean landscape, we can’t wait for viewers both at home and abroad to be swept away by what we hope is a must-see, ambitious crime thriller.”
BBC ALBA announced the groundbreaking project last month as the biggest Gaelic drama series in the broadcaster’s history, set to hit international screens in 2025 with support from global distributor All3Media International.
David Swetman from All3Media International, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Black Camel Pictures and BBC ALBA on this gripping crime thriller. This is our first Gaelic project and we’re excited to bring the unique and dramatic Hebridean culture, language and landscape to a global audience.”
Co-written by screenwriter/creator Nicholas Osborne (producer of Remember Me and License to Wed) and screenwriter, Patsi Mackenzie (Buidheagain and An Clò Mòr), and directed by Tom Sullivan (Arracht), An t-Eilean (The Island) sees four troubled siblings gather at their family home in the Outer Hebrides as their father is questioned over the mysterious death of their mother.
With the cast confirmed and filming now underway, Bill Macleod, Commissioning Editor at BBC ALBA, added: “We’ve brought together an amazing cast of brilliant actors for this ground-breaking project. With the breathtaking Isle of Harris as our setting, An t-Eilean (The Island) will bring Gaelic language, culture and story-telling to audiences around the world.”
