Tuesday 1 November 2011

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 12 November – Friday 18 November 2011

Title: As An Eilean

A Gaelic film based on two books by Iain Crichton Smith.

Transmitted: Saturday 12th November
Time: 5.55pm - 7.30pm


Title: Air an Oir / Runrig

Air an Oir is a documentary looking at the roots of Runrig’s musical influences.

Transmitted: Saturday 12th November
Time: 8.55pm – 9.50pm


Title: Gach Creutair Beo / Vets

Wick based vet Iain Maclean does routine TB testing on cows but has to have a quick change of plan when he arrives at the second farm to find some cows have suddenly become unwell. Later, Iain has a house call to see a cat, with a quick stop en route to check out a sheep with day old twins, then a 3am call out to another sheep having difficulty, where the news is not so good.

Vet Jane Harley at Highland Wildlife Park has the tricky job of trimming the largest reindeer’s hooves, but he needs to be sedated before she can get near him. This gives keeper Jonathan the opportunity to have his first attempt with a darting rifle under the close supervision of experienced hand, Morag.

At Ardene House near Aberdeen, vet Graham Hunter removes a tumour from a horse during a delicate operation. Getting the horse anaesthetized and into the theatre is no mean feat, and requires a hoist and pulley to lift him in.

Transmitted: Monday 14th November
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm


Title: Trusadh – Kenneth Mckellar

Anne Lorne Gillies leads this celebration of arguably Scotland's greatest tenor - Kenneth McKellar who died last year. McKellar's career which spanned 50 years saw him rise to be a household name in Scotland and beyond, but behind the public persona was a quiet man who regularly spurned personal honours and accolades.

Although McKellar never sung in Gaelic, through singing he had an affinity with the language and was always meticulous about
ensuring any Gaelic words in his songs were pronounced perfectly, reflecting his love and affection for his native country and
all that it was.

Humour was also a big part of McKellar's life and a script he wrote was used in a Monty Python sketch, indeed he became the
only person outside the Monty Python team to have a sketch performed by them. He wrote many popular comedy songs like 'The
Midges' and formed a comedy duo with Johnny Beattie.

The definitive interpreter of the songs of Robert Burns, McKellar also composed 'Royal Mile', the song which opened the 1986
Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. And when his voice began to falter with age, he bowed out gracefully from his singing career
to become an acclaimed arranger.

Transmitted: Monday 14th November
Time: 9pm – 10pm


Title: Eorpa / European Current Affairs

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 16th November
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm


Title: Soillse – Aria a Afraga / Cape of Good Voices

In South Africa singing is as popular now as football, a fact rooted in their strong choral traditions. Once a year the The Cape Town Opera House's best up-and-coming singers take to the road in a mini bus to travel the length and breadth of South Africa. The young opera stars aim to generate interest amongst schoolchildren with their songs and at the same time keep an eye out for new vocal talent.

Transmitted: Wednesday 16th November
Time: 9pm – 9.55pm


Title: Beartas nan Daoine

A series looking at collections of Gaelic song, story and their heritage.

Transmitted: Wednesday 16th November
Time: 10.30pm – 10.55pm


Title: Na Geamannan / World Island Games

The games are drawing close and the Western Isles competitors are making final preparations.

Transmitted: Thursday 17th November
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm


Title: Air An Rathad / On The Road

'Air an Rathad' - it's all about cars! How do you get started in motorsport? Calum Iain joins the competitors at Fintray Hill Climb to find out. Murray's gone back to the day job looking after the sheep on the croft, and he's putting the Isuzu Rodeo pickup through its paces
- but is it tough enough for the task?

Fiona is a guest of Grampian Fire Brigade as she joins them on a blues and twos exercise through the busy streets of Aberdeen.
She gets some tips on how to manoeuvre through heavy traffic and finds out what you should do as a driver when you hear that
siren and see the blue lights flashing. And the team are back on the track for another round of Wacky Races - what daft stunt have they been given this week?

Transmitted: Thursday 17th November
Time: 10pm – 10.30pm


Title: Grinn / Makeover

This week student Sian Baldwin from Perthshire gets a re-style from fashion, beauty and style experts Donna Macleod, Lynda MacMillan and John Comerford.

Transmitted: Friday 18th November
Time: 8.30pm – 9pm

Monday 31 October 2011

Become the next Argyll and Bute Sports Coach!

Have you a passion for sport that you want to pass on? Are you already involved with a sports group and want to move to a coaching role? Or maybe you want to move to a new career in sport? Then you need to know that Argyll and Bute Council has now launched the registration for their fifth annual sports coaching event.



The event will be held this year in Oban on the weekend of 4 and 5 February and will offer 56 courses from athletics to mountain skills. New courses which are being offered for 2012 include triathlon, Nordic walking, watersports, swimming master classes for coaches, gymnastics, archery, gym instructor and double goal coach. These new courses are designed to reflect the support for current local sports provision as well as introducing new opportunities for sport to grow in Argyll and Bute.



The sports coaching event has grown every year, starting from 250 in the first year to 401 in 2011. And we hope that we will have over 500 new sports coaches for 2012! The 2012 event also launches the new sports coaching awards in partnership with sportscotland. These awards recognise quality coaching in a number of categories: young coach; participation coach; performance coach; young person’s coach; performance development coach and disability coach.



Spokesperson for third sector and communities Councillor Rory Colville said, “The sports coaching event is now in its fifth year and has been an amazing success. The event gives future sports coaches the chance to get accreditation but it is so much more. It is about inspirational people who want to lead others to fulfil their dreams. I am delighted that the council is again running the sports coaching event and I would encourage anyone who has a desire to get into coaching to get involved.”



The cost of courses varies and the council’s partnership with spotscotland and Argyll College offer opportunities for everyone through subsidised courses.



You can find out more about the sports coaching event online at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/coachingchampions

Highlands & Islands parents urged to give evidence to Commission on Rural Education.

Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, has urged parents and communities in the Highlands & Islands to make their views known on the future of rural primary schools to the Scottish Government’s Commission on Rural Education. Jamie made the call when speaking in the Scottish Parliament this morning in a debate on attainment in schools where he focused his remarks on rural schools. Jamie also praised the pupils of Clachan Primary School in Argyll, a small rural primary school, for recently being named Best Green School in Scotland 2011.
Speaking in the debate, Jamie said:
“ I was pleased to receive recently the call for evidence from the Commission on Rural Education which I sent on to the many dozens of parents in Argyll & Bute who had contacted me over the past year as the Council there proposed various rural schools closure programmes that outraged so many people. I would urge all those in my region of the Highlands & Islands, and indeed elsewhere across Scotland, who value rural primary schools and who have opinions on how we can retain and protect them to make their views known to the Commission before the close of the call for evidence on the 12th January next year. This is a very important opportunity for rural communities to have their say about a key part of their infrastructure.
“ If we accept the evidence that the impact of primary school attainment plays a much greater role in students’ potential 16+ than their secondary school education then I am very clear that there are many excellent examples of the work that goes on in rural primary schools that can be replicated elsewhere in the schools system.”
Referring to Clachan Primary School in Argyll Jamie said:
“ I would want to commend the pupils of Clachan Primary school in Argyll, a small rural primary that was threatened with closure recently, on their success in being named the joint winner of the prestigious Best Green School in Scotland award 2011- this shows that best practice can exist in the smallest school as well as those larger ones.”

Colmcille a’ cur fàilte air tairgsean ùra airson pròiseactan choimhearsnachd

Tha Colmcille, prògram com-pàirteachais a bhios ag adhartachadh an dualchais chànanach is chultarach co-roinnte eadar Èirinn is Alba, air cuairt ùr maoineachaidh fhosgladh gus taic a chur ri iomairtean coimhearsnachd ùra, foghlam, na h-ealain, foillseachadh agus pròiseactan òigridh air feadh na h-Alba.





Colmcille welcomes new bids for community projects

Colmcille, a partnership programme which promotes the shared linguistic and cultural heritage of Ireland and Scotland, has opened a new round of funding to support new community initiatives, education, arts, publishing, and youth projects throughout Scotland.

For further information, please contact:
Steven MacIver, Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
E-Mail: steven@gaidhlig.org.uk Mobile: 07557 481 08

UNION ISSUES FURTHER GUIDANCE ON SHEEP EID COMPLIANCE

NFU Scotland is reminding all sheep producers of some simple steps that they can take to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations around sheep movements and identification, including electronic ear tags.

Scottish Government issued guidance to all registered sheep keepers a few weeks ago and since then, NFUS has met with the Scottish Government’s compliance and policy teams to look at standards, particularly with regards to electronic tagging.

These meetings have been mapping out more workable approaches to compliance and laying the foundation of a more risk based approach. NFUS and the Scottish Government are intending to hold public meetings on sheep ID starting next month.

NFU Scotland President, Nigel Miller said:

“The Scottish system based around the use of critical control points (CCPs) such as markets and abattoirs and a central ScotEID database is still evolving. Clearly the system has thrown up problems but all sides are looking to ensure workable standards at farm level.

“From a compliance perspective, most member concerns still revolve around the read rates of stock passing through CCPs. Scottish sheep farmers need to remember that compliance problems are only a risk when sheep which have been double tagged with their individual EID go ON to a new farm.

“It is clear that electronic tagging requirements are still causing confusion. I would suggest that wherever possible, those selling lambs should use the single slaughter derogation flock tag rather than double tagging lambs with their individual electronic ID. The single electronic slaughter tag covers slaughter lambs, store lambs and many ewe lambs. If new owners retain ewe lambs for breeding then they can be upgraded to their individual electronic tag at a year old.

“The use of the single slaughter derogation tag is significant as single tagged lambs can be moved on a batch basis – rather than recording every single ID – and thus eases compliance for both the breeder and the feeder. Buying single tag store lambs through a CCP will lift feeders and finishers out of read rate compliance issues provided the lambs have been marketed through Scottish CCPs.

“If farmers are unsure of their risk status then help is at hand. They can check their flock data on the ScotEID website or phone ScotEID for information. A support service is available to help producers update data if required and can be of value should a flock undergo an official inspection. In many ways, ScotEID is able to provide a safety net if electronic recording fails.

“Sheepkeepers also need to remember that read rates on electronic tags are not the main compliance risk when it comes to an inspection and basic record keeping is crucial. The new flock register and leaflets mailed to producers over the summer provide a reminder of the key points when it comes to properly recording movements, deaths, running totals, individual sheep ids, transport certificates, tagging and retagging.”

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 5 November – Friday 11 November 2011

Title: SPL Kilmarnock v Inverness CT

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Kilmarnock host Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Rugby Park.

Transmitted: Saturday 5 November
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm


Title: Horo Gheallaidh / Celtic Music Sessions

World class musicians from the Celtic Connections festival drop in to give special, intimate performances at the Horo Gheallaidh ceilidh session's filmed in Glasgow and presented by Sarah Cruickshank.

This week, Duncan Chisholm and Phil Cunningham, Karen Matheson, Orkney's Saltfishforty and the fantastic sound of Ross Ainslie's new collaboration, India Alba. This is a unique opportunity to watch world-class artists up close, performing stripped down versions of their songs live on our sofa in a way you won't have seen them before.

Transmitted: Saturday 5 November
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Gach Creutair Beo / Vets

Out on the farm with vet Iain Maclean in Wick as he treats a dairy cow with a twisted stomach, and back in the surgery with him as he castrates and treats a feral cat.

At Highland Wildlife Park, the family of Scottish Wildcats has recently had three kittens. Vet Jane Harley dares to get up close to these fearsome animals to give them essential injections, but first they must be caught. The wild and wonderful world of Scottish vets.

Transmitted: Monday 7 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Trusadh - Camanachd Leodhais/Lewis Camanachd

The beginning of the season 2011 and a new team is grabbing the attention of shinty fans. For the first time, the Camanachd Association have allowed a team from Lewis to compete in the national league. This year is a trial period and Lewis are up against it to prove that they are worthy of securing a permanent place playing at this level.

In Trusadh: Lewis Camanachd - Black and Blue, we follow manager Paul Duke and the team through the highs and lows of the season and meet some of the other characters associated with the team along the way. How will the new boys fare against the league's established teams? How will they cope with the travel across the country? Will they manage to put out a team each week? And will they ultimately do enough to silence the critics and secure their position in the league - and truly establish shinty's place in Lewis in the future?!

Transmitted: Monday 7 November
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Eorpa / European Current Affairs

Another edition of Eorpa, reporting on the most interesting stories from around Europe.

Transmitted: Wednesday 9 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Na Geamannan / World Island Games

Bad news for the men's football team while Norrie goes knocking on doors to raise money for the golf team.

Transmitted: Thursday 10 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Air an Rathad / On the Road

How do you get started in motorsport? Calum Iain joins the competitors at Fintray Hill Climb to find out.

Murray's gone back to the day job looking after the sheep on the croft, and he's putting the Isuzu Rodeo pickup through its paces - but is it tough enough for the task?

Fiona is a guest of Grampian Fire Brigade as she joins them on a blues and twos exercise through the busy streets of Aberdeen. She gets some tips on how to manoeuvre through heavy traffic and finds out what you should do as a driver when you hear that siren and see the blue lights flashing.

And the team are back on the track for another round of Wacky Races - what daft stunt have they been given this week?

Transmitted: Thursday 10 November
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Grinn / Makeover

In the third episode, Fay Thomson from Skye receives a makeover from the Grinn team. Presented by Donna MacLeod, Lynda MacMillan and John Comerford.

Transmitted: Friday 11 November
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Monte Cassino

To commemorate Armistice Day, we learn of the Allied invasion of southern Italy in September 1943 that led to one of the most controversial campaigns of World War II.

To prevent invaders from reaching Rome, the Germans constructed a chain of fortifications across Italy. Integral to this was the mountain-top monastery of Monte Cassino. Monte Cassino and its surroundings would be the site of thousands of Allied and Germans casualties in four battles in 1944.

The monastery at Monte Cassino was bombed by the Allies in the mistaken belief that German troops were occupying it. After this bombing, which destroyed much of the monastery, elite German paratroopers occupied the rubble and it took several months and several thousand lives to dislodge them.

In this programme, Brigadier John MacFarlane explores the impact the battles had on the monastery at Monte Cassino as he follows in the footsteps of the thousands of Scottish soldiers who fought there.

Transmitted: Friday 11 November
Time: 9.00 – 9.45pm

Search Over for Science Park Contractor says HIE

Ambitious plans to create a multi-million pound marine science park in Argyll have taken a step forward following a European-wide procurement process.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed the infrastructure, support services and construction group, Robertson to deliver phase one of the European Marine Science Park at Dunstaffnage, near Oban.

Frank Reid, Regional Managing Director for Robertson said “Robertson are delighted to have been awarded the contract to build this prestigious Science Park building, and we look forward to working in partnership with HIE over the next year.”

The development will include 20,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space in a high-specification sustainable building in a stunning location, aimed at supporting Scotland’s growing Life Science sector and supporting up to around 125 jobs.

Situated adjacent to the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), it is anticipated that the Science Park will be particularly attractive to start-up businesses, spin-outs and SMEs interested in the combination of an outstanding marine environment and world-class scientific expertise on hand. First-class business support will be available to tenants from HIE and Scottish Development International (SDI).

Douglas Cowan, Area Manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said “HIE is delighted that work is set to begin on the site. Argyll and the Islands already has a strong reputation in the Life Sciences sector, with businesses such as GlycoMar Ltd and Aquapharm Biodiscovery Ltd, occupying laboratory space at Dunstaffnage and achieving international recognition for cutting edge research and development work."

“The Scottish Association for Marine Science at Dunstaffnage is one of the UK’s leading marine research institutes with around 140 staff, and is a founding partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands. Existing and new businesses located in the Science Park will benefit from the proximity of world leading research and facilities on their doorstep, together with tailored business support from both HIE and SDI.”

“Argyll’s marine resource is a fantastic asset, and is particularly well placed to exploit once in a generation opportunities in marine life science activity and in renewable energy. The construction of the Science Park is designed to act as a catalyst for these growing sectoral opportunities.”

In August 2010, the HIE Board approved an investment of £7.5m to create the first phase of the Science Park on the site next to SAMS at Dunstaffnage. HIE will contribute £4.5m of its own grant-in-aid budget from the Scottish Government, and has attracted the remaining £3m towards this first phase from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Argyll and Bute Council "is ready for winter"

Argyll and Bute Council is well prepared for winter with thousands of tonnes of salt already in stock and the roads team doing a dry run to make sure all equipment and treatment routes are tested before any bad weather.

There are 17,700 tonnes of salt already – this in an increase of 70 percent from before. The council has a fleet of 33 vehicles capable of gritting and ploughing roads. We will get delivery of another 8 in December bringing the total number of snowploughs to 41. Each lorry is capable of carrying between 2 and 11 tonnes of salt. All equipment has been serviced and tested by the roads team and they are ready to go.

Gritter driver William Holmes said “we are first on the road when there’s been heavy snowfall and although there can be some beautiful views there are still some very real dangers. Despite the snow and icy conditions many people drive too fast. Remember even if the gritter has been, it will take a couple of cars to go over the grit to really make it effective so my advice would be to slow down.”

There are more than 300 grit bins and thousands of salt heaps across Argyll and Bute so you can spread salt on local pavements and roads. Salt will be available for you at roads depot gates and will be restricted to one 20 kg bag per person.

Spokesperson for transport and infrastructure, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre said, “This year’s plan to deal with winter is very impressive. The council is ready for whatever the weather holds in store. There will be leaflets distributed across the area with information on priority routes, how to be prepared in the car and some tips for winter driving.

“This year there will be also more information available online at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/winter-road-maintenance .You can see the treatment routes and how they are prioritised. You can also see regular weather forecasts so you can plan ahead. If the weather is severe you have to ask yourself if the journey is really necessary.”