A FESTIVE FEAST OF PROGRAMMES ON BBC ALBA

BBC ALBA has unveiled its festive highlights for the Christmas and New Year period with family favourites and entertainment for all ages featuring compelling documentaries, live sport, traditional music and children’s programmes. Among the Christmas Day highlights is The Band from Rockall, the story of Runrig’s Calum and Rory MacDonald as they record their first solo album outside of the band, and Rockettes, a programme following the engaging dancers of the cheerleading Scottish Pro-Dance group The Rockettes as they train, audition and perform their way through a season. Throughout the festive season there are also appearances from a host of musical legends, with concerts including The Proclaimers at Hebcelt 2012, a look at Daniel O’Donnell’s 30 years in showbiz and a special documentary profile of the acclaimed actress and singer, Barbara Dickson, with interviews and song plus contributions from guest singers including Billy Connolly and Rab Noakes. The very best sports action also plays a part in the festive line-up, with live action from the Scottish Premier League returning to free to air television as BBC ALBA screen exclusive coverage of the New Year Highland derby between Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The live football action will be complemented by ‘as live’ action from festive matches including Celtic v Ross County, Kilmarnock v Hearts and Hibernian v Celtic. The oval ball will also be prominent on the channel, with the 1872 Cup rugby fixtures between Glasgow and Edinburgh in the PRO12, live on the weekends either side of Christmas. Programmes marking the arrival of both Christmas Day and New Year will be particular highlights, with a Christmas Eve service broadcast at 11pm from St Mary & St Finnan Church, Glenfinnan in Lochaber. Youngsters from Lochaber Music School, Fèis Loch Abar and Mallaig High School Choir and the Kilmallie Singers will join the likes of Iain MacFarlane, Ingrid Henderson, Margaret Ford and Robert Robertson and local congregations for this ecumenical celebration. Viewers will also be able to see the New Year 2013 in style with BBC ALBA’s live Hogmanay Cèilidh from Achnagairn House, Kirkhill, by Beauly. Presenters Derek ‘Pluto’ Murray and Kirsteen MacDonald will be joined by a host of musical talent including Mànran, Duncan Chisholm, Hamish Napier, Kathleen MacInnes, Rona Lightfoot and Dingwall Gaelic Choir. Margaret Mary Murray, Head of Service for BBC ALBA, said: “We are looking forward to bringing viewers a fantastic mix of festive programming for all the family. Our Christmas and New Year schedule has proved to be hugely popular in recent years and we are sure that this year will be no exception. “The line-up provides an eclectic mix of entertainment, music and documentaries coupled with some wonderful children’s programmes and fantastic live sport for armchair fans to enjoy. “As always, our live Christmas Eve service and Hogmanay Cèilidh will be particularly special during this period and we hope the warmth and enjoyment of both these occasions will radiate to viewers at home and make them feel part of BBC ALBA’s festive offering this Christmas.” Some of the highlights from this year’s festive season on BBC ALBA are listed below – please see our attached festive guide for full schedule details. Entertainment & Music Belladrum 2012: Cridhe Tartan Saturday 22 December @ 9pm Saturday 29 December @ 10pm Highlights from the Belladrum 2012: Tartan Heart Festival including Travis, Frightened Rabbit and We Are Scientists. Dr. Finlay’s Casebook: The Gifts of The Magi Christmas Eve @ 10.05pm 50 years on, we join the young, newly graduated Finlay, as embarks on his medical career in Dr Cameron's Tannochbrae practice. In this special Christmas episode of the classic Scottish drama, Doctors Finlay, Cameron and Snoddy along with Janet all enter into the Christmas spirit! Christmas Eve Service Christmas Eve @ 11pm BBC ALBA’s Christmas Eve service comes from St Mary & St Finnan Church, Glenfinnan in Lochaber. Youngsters from Lochaber Music School, Fèis Loch Abar and Mallaig High School Choir and the Kilmallie Singers will join the likes of Iain MacFarlane, Ingrid Henderson, Margaret Ford and Robert Robertson and local congregations for this ecumenical celebration. The Band from Rockall Christmas Day @ 8.05pm Runrig continue to be one of Scotland’s most popular bands with songs penned by the band’s Calum and Rory MacDonald part of the musical story of the country. What happens though when this song-writing team get together outside of the Runrig context to pen and perform a long awaited first solo album project? Part video diary, part performance, this film is not so much the story of the making of an album but a journey through the songs and the musical ethos behind the recording. Rockettes Christmas Day @ 9.05pm The programme follows the stories of the engaging dancers of the cheerleading Scottish Pro-Dance group The Rockettes as they train, audition and perform their way through a season. Daniel O’ Donnell: 30 Years of Music Christmas Day @ 10.05pm Celebrating 30 years in show business, Daniel O'Donnell performs a special concert with guests and greetings from around the world. Celtic Chicago Boxing Day @ 9pm Kathleen MacInnes takes in Chicago with a host of musical pals as the Celtic Connections Festival arrives in the U.S. Cuirm @ Celtic: Chicago Thursday 27 December @ 8.55pm Kathleen MacInnes hosts a very special concert from the Harris Theatre, Chicago with a stellar cast including Julie Fowlis, Session A9 and Admiral Fallow. Hebridean Celtic Festival – The Proclaimers Saturday 29 December @ 9pm Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid have enjoyed huge success across the globe. Regularly gracing festival stages across the world, The Proclaimers return to the Hebrides with a 1-hour special of some of their best sets from Hebcelt 2012. Barbara Dickson New Year’s Eve @ 9.30pm Documentary profile of the acclaimed actress and singer, Barbara Dickson, examines her career in interview and sing. Guest singers include Billy Connolly and Rab Noakes. Ceòl Dannsa New Year’s Eve @ 10.30pm Todays Scottish country dance musicians pay tribute to the stars of yesteryear. John Carmichael presents a sensational evening of Scottish country dance music. LIVE Hogmanay 2012 Cèilidh New Year’s Eve @ 11.30pm Welcome in 2013 Live from Achnagairn House, Kirkhill, by Beauly. Presenters Derek ‘Pluto’ Murray and Kirsteen MacDonald will be joined by a host of musical talent including Mànran, Duncan Chisholm, Hamish Napier, Kathleen MacInnes, Rona Lightfoot and Dingwall Gaelic Choir. Also Live on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and www.bbc.co.uk/alba Machairazzi New Year’s Day @ 9.05pm Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first ever Gaelic soap Machair. Members of the cast including Tony Kearney and Dolina MacLennan romp through some of the shows most compelling moments. Watch out for the celebrations and heartache, love and laughter, captivating characters, gripping stories and dramatic explosions. This trailblazing Gaelic soap has it all. Dr. Finlay’s Casebook: A Present from Father New Year’s Day @ 10.05pm In this special Hogmanay episode, the ambitious and headstrong young Doctor Finlay, played by the dapper Bill Simpson, is faced with a unsettling dilemma which calls his professional judgement into question. But the stakes are high as a family fortune is at risk. Drs Cameron and Snoddy have their say and Janet offers her customary words of wisdom but Dr Finlay has the last word - or does he? Documentaries & News Please, Mister – Sgeulachd Tony Miller Thursday 20 December @ 9pm The story of 19 year old Tony Miller, who was hanged in Glasgow in 1960, following his conviction for the murder of a gay man, during a robbery carried out with a 16 year old accomplice, who was later acquitted. 2012 News Debate Sunday 23 December @ 7.30pm A debate on some of the most important stories, locally, nationally, and internationally which took place over the past year, with Iain MacLean, Hugh Dan MacLennan, Anna MacLeod and Murray MacLeod. Island Flying Christmas Eve @ 9.05pm This year one of the world’s most unique air services, Loganair, celebrates 50years in business. Kirkwall based pilot Stuart Linklater’s daily flights are only minutes long. Pilot Mairi Nicholson’s favourite runway is fine shell-sand, and baggage handler Shonnie Mackay can expect anything at Benbecula Airport. No two days are the same. Unusual News Stories of the Year Sunday 30 December @ 6.30pm A look at some of the funnier, more unusual News stories of the year. About Britain: Isle of Skye New Year’s Eve @ 8.35pm Originally broadcast in 1954 as part of the About Britain series, Richard Dimbleby and a BBC film crew visited the Isle of Skye. In this programme he gives viewers across the United Kingdom an insight into life on the island, meeting local characters and gaining an understanding of the lifestyle and culture of islanders, as well as spending some time with the Skye Mountain Rescue team and with Dame Flora Macleod at Dunvegan Castle. The Bridge Rising New Year’s Day @ 8.05pm The campaign against the tolls on the Skye Bridge pitted plucky Scottish islanders against the might of the government and the Bank of America. This film tells an untold, often funny story of passion, legal challenge and financial wrangling, through the testimony of some of those who took part. Sport LIVE Rugby – 1872 Cup Friday 21 December @ 7.30pm Saturday 29 December @ 4pm BBC ALBA follows Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh as they face up to each other for the annual festive clash for the 1872 Cup with RaboDirect League points also at stake. LIVE SPL - Ross County v Inverness Caledonian Thistle Wednesday 2 January @ 3pm Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle meet in Dingwall in the second Highland SPL derby of this season. LIVE Rugby: Edinburgh v Leinster Friday 4 January @ 7.30pm PRO12 Rugby action as Edinburgh face up to Leinster Children’s programming De a-nis? Wednesday 19 December @ 6.05pm The Dè a-nis Christmas special is full of festive cheer and surprises and of course Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a panto! Siobhan, Derek, Steph and Calum star in Aladdin……or Ali-Bàn as he is better known. Poopety in the Fall Saturday 22 December @ 5pm When Autumn arrives, the town of Balthazarville falls silent as Bonifacio the mischievous storyteller disappears. Pupadaidh and his friends go on a quest to find the rogue, a journey that takes them to the belly of the earth where they meet a whale who has very special stories of her own to tell... Peppa’s Christmas Christmas Eve @ 5pm It’s Christmas Eve and Peppa and George are busy posting their letters to Santa. Peppa would like a yoyo and George wants a train set, but ‘oh dear’ poor Santa has lost his list! However everything turns out for the best and the family spend a very Happy Christmas in front of their huge big tree. Boy in the Bubble Christmas Day @ 6.05pm Rupert Shelley, is a ten year old boy who falls hopelessly in love for the first time ever. When it all goes horribly wrong, he wishes never to experience heartache again. Turning to a book of magic, he invokes a spell to shield him from emotion forever..... leaving him stuck in a bubble!