BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 24 September – Friday 30 September 2011

Title: SPL Hibernian v Dundee United
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Hibs host Dundee United at Easter Road.

Transmitted: Saturday 24 September
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm


Title: Alleluia!/Spiritual Music & Verse
Psalm 23 sung by the Glasgow Islay Choir, the hymn Be Thou My Vision by Kathleen Graham and Suzie Roberts tells how her faith sustained her through her personal battle with cancer. The programme is presented by Iain MacKinnon.

Transmitted: Sunday 25 September
Time: 7.30 – 8.00pm


Title: Trusadh - Turas a' Phapa (The Pope's Visit)
Last year saw the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Scotland - a visit that was not without its controversies after the recent scandals which rocked the position of the Catholic church globally.

This was the first time that the figurehead of the Catholic church had officially visited the country, and he's only the second Pope in history to visit, following Pope John Paul II's pastoral visit in 1982.

In 1982 John Archie MacMillan was a Catholic priest working in his island parish in Eriskay.

However, he left the priesthood 5 years later, disillusioned with the bureaucracy of the Church, and is now married with a family and working as a social worker. In a compelling personal journey he follows the build up to the visit, and attends the open air mass at Bellahouston Park, as he hears many different, fascinating views, and reflects on his own faith and the changing face of all Christianity in Scotland.

Transmitted: Monday 26 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Ceòl Country

Anne Morrison brings you some of the musical highlights from the Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival. Among the artists showcased at the festival are South Mountain, Gene Watson and Dominic Kirwan.

In addition to the live music Anne travels to Texas for an exclusive acoustic performance from Landon Dodd, one of the rising stars in the Texas dancehall scene.

Transmitted: Tuesday 27 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Soillse - Samucha, The Last Shepherd
Samucha lives in the mountains of Tusheti, a tiny region in Georgia on the border with Chechnya. He's a fabulous horse rider, a shepherd, a musician, singer, and storyteller. This year, like every springtime, Samucha migrates with his flock of 2,000 sheep to reach the high plains of the Caucasus, located at an altitude of 4000 meters. But he feels tired and old. After this season, it will finally be time for him to retire. He will spend the summer on the plateau accompanied by his two sons, David and Kwiria, to whom he will hand over his herd.

Transmitted: Wednesday 28 September
Time: 9.00 – 9.50pm


Title: Siuthad Siubhal/Go! Explore! - Dundee/Fife
Our intrepid presenters tackle a variety of activities on offer in the Dundee/Fife area so don't be a couch potato! Go! Explore! The series is presented by Emma MacInnes and Derek ''Pluto'' Murray.

Transmitted: Thursday 29 September
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Midwives: Mnathan-Gluine
In the second programme in the series, labour suite sister Caron Cruickshank gives us an idea of the wide geographical area served by Raigmore hospital's Maternity Unit.

Mum to be Nicola's community midwife has taken a routine blood sample but the results give her cause for concern. Nicola is sent to Raigmore for further investigation and the decision is taken to induce her labour. Midwife Ishbel MacDonald is with Nicola in labour suite but not everything goes to plan.

Meanwhile, Margaret Jack is in hospital having her second baby - her speedy delivery gives experienced midwife Mary Taylor some anxious moments and first time mum Sarah Louise Farmer goes into labour at home in Lochinver. She is rushed to Raigmore by helicopter -will she make it in time?

We also meet Catherine Anne Mackinnon, who is having her 20 week scan. Technological advances mean she can see her developing baby in amazing detail.

Transmitted: Friday 30 September
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: A gu U: Na Thadhail Thu?
A new series with Shona Henderson taking an island journey through the Gaelic alphabet.

In the first programme Shona travels by ferry, explores the topic of island food, and asks what sort of people live in the Scottish islands.

Transmitted: Friday 30 September
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm