Thursday 5 April 2012

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 7 April – Friday 13 April 2012

Title: SPL – Dunfermline v Heart of Midlothian
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Dunfermline host Hearts at East End Park.

The clash will see new Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies face his old side for the first time since taking over as Pars boss but previous league meetings this season suggest that Hearts will enter the match as favourites.

Dunfermline’s first meeting with Hearts this season was in October when the Jambos travelled to East End Park and recorded a 2-0 victory.

Their most recent match was in December, when Hearts recorded a 4-0 victory at Tynecastle Stadium thanks to goals from Stephen Elliott, Mehdi Taouil, David Templeton and Rudi Skacel.

Transmitted: Saturday 7 April
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm


Title: Air An Rathad – Wacky Races Special

Join presenter Derek Murray as he catches up with the Air an Rathad team this Easter in the Wacky Races Special. All your favourite Wacky Races challenges in one programme, with eight gruelling races to test our plucky presenters to the limit.

Fiona, Murray and Calum Iain may be friends, but they are ruthlessly competitive. Watch them battle it out on the track, in their own version of basketball, with the help of Rollover Roy! There's jelly and eggs to play with, and a strange new game called car curling. Murray thinks he has got the better of Calum Iain in the karting but in the end the rules beat him, despite a tremendous effort by his young team mate Jamie. There's more dressing up, and the lovely Lola returns for a spot of je ne sais quoi.

Who will win the Air an Rathad Cup this time? And what really goes on, behind the scenes? Join Derek on Easter Monday to find out.

Transmitted: Monday 9 April
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Caileagan an Iasgaich / Trawler Girls

Can women take on the 'men's work' of crewing North Sea trawlers?

The girls tackle seasickness - on day one of a 10 day voyage.

Transmitted: Monday 9 April
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Turas a’ Bhradain / The Salmon’s Journey

Neen MacKay visits the Uists for more salmon fishing in the Western Isles.

Transmitted: Tuesday 10 April
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Soillse - 300 Days on an Island

Xavier Rosset decides to see how he will cope with spending 300 days alone on a Pacific island.

The only equipment he will take is a machete, a knife, a first aid kit and a camera to start with. Witness how he struggles through hunger, illness, tropical hurricanes and follow day-by-day this incredibly tough challenge.

Transmitted: Wednesday 11 April
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm


Title: The Self Help Society – an Diugh

In 1981 the BBC series The Self Help Society looked at the co-operative movement run by communities in the Western Isles and, in particular, its impact on Eriskay. This programme offers the opportunity to view the original version and also find out what impact the co-operative and the many other changes which have taken place since have had on the island and the residents.

Transmitted: Thursday 12 April
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: PRO12 Live Rugby – Leinster v Edinburgh
Live action from the RaboDirect Pro12 as Edinburgh travel to Dublin to face Leinster at the Royal Dublin Society.

Edinburgh will enter the match hoping to improve on their last outing against the Irish side – a match that saw Leinster record a 36-28 victory at Murrayfield in October.

The match will start at 7.45pm with commentary from Hugh Dan MacLennan and trackside analysis from Eilidh Barbour.

Transmitted: Friday 13 April
Time: 7.40 – 9.35pm


Title: Gruth is Uachdar / Crowdie and Cream

The late Finlay J. Macdonald's timeless rite-of-passage story about a young boy growing up on the island of Harris continues. It is now 1937. Finlay travels to the little port town of Tarbert to spend the holidays with his grandparents. The wonders of Tarbert and his grandfather's large house (complete with flush toilet) amaze Finlay. Unfortunately he isn't able to enjoy his own room for long. With the Communions approaching he will have to give up his room to visitors from the neighbouring island of Lewis. Finlay devises a scheme to get his own back...

Transmitted: Friday 13 April
Time: 10.30 – 11.25pm

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 14 April – Friday 20 April 2012

Title: PRO12 Live Rugby - Munster v Glasgow
Live action from the RaboDirect PRO12 competition as Glasgow travel to face Munster at Musgrave Park, Cork.

As both teams look to gain vital points in their push for play-off spots, Warriors will also make the trip looking to improve on their last match against the Irish side which saw Munster record a 23-12 win at Firhill in September.

The match will start at 7.15pm with commentary from Hugh Dan MacLennan and trackside analysis from Eilidh Barbour.
Transmitted: Saturday 14 April
Time: 7.10 – 9.05pm


Title: Trusadh - New Starts
Many of us dream about making a fresh start in our lives - to do something new and to take on a new challenge in a new country. But few of us are actually brave enough to make it happen.

In these days of cheap and easy access to all corners of the world, it's not uncommon for people to head off for a short while, travelling and experiencing a new culture and way of life, only to return home and carry on with life and the comforts and familiarity of their home surroundings.

It takes a far greater level of commitment though to leave all that behind and become part of a new community in a foreign land, far from family, friends, and a normal working life.

That though is exactly what the four intrepid individuals we follow in this week's Trusadh did. Four very different stories from four very different people, as they head for Thailand, Vietnam, Europe and beyond. Each of them have different reasons for making this massive leap in to the unknown, and making that difficult decision to change direction. But they are all driven by the same desire - to start their lives afresh.

Transmitted: Monday 16 April
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Caileagan an Iasgaich
Can women take on the 'men's work' of crewing North Sea trawlers? In this week’s show, the girls are sick and tired - but heading home! Last in the series.

Transmitted: Monday 16 April
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Turas a' Bhradain/The Salmon's Journey
In the final programme of the series, Neen MacKay discovers the salmon systems on the Firth of Forth and the Solway Firth.

Transmitted: Tuesday 17 April
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Soillse - Women of the Vatican
The Vatican is traditionally a male dominated state. But recently women have increasingly been finding careers at the heart of the Catholic faith; running, promoting and preserving the heart of the Catholic church.

These women do some of the most important jobs in the Vatican - outwith those jobs which require ordination. They fulfil tasks as varied as helping to vet saint applicants to dealing with public enquiries to meet the Pope.

Transmitted: Wednesday 18 April
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm


Title: Club TV
Exclusive interviews, match action, and behind the scenes at Celtic and Rangers F.C.

Transmitted: Thursday 19 April
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Taghadh bho Na Trads
Music and chat from the Trad Award Winners – some of the finest traditional musicians in the country. Tonight’s show features Julie Fowlis and her band.

Transmitted: Friday 20 April
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Tuesday 3 April 2012

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 14 April – Friday 20 April 2012

Title: PRO12 Live Rugby - Munster v Glasgow
Live action from the RaboDirect PRO12 competition as Glasgow travel to face Munster at Musgrave Park, Cork.

As both teams look to gain vital points in their push for play-off spots, Warriors will also make the trip looking to improve on their last match against the Irish side which saw Munster record a 23-12 win at Firhill in September.

The match will start at 7.15pm with commentary from Hugh Dan MacLennan and trackside analysis from Eilidh Barbour.
Transmitted: Saturday 14 April
Time: 7.10 – 9.05pm


Title: Trusadh - New Starts
Many of us dream about making a fresh start in our lives - to do something new and to take on a new challenge in a new country. But few of us are actually brave enough to make it happen.

In these days of cheap and easy access to all corners of the world, it's not uncommon for people to head off for a short while, travelling and experiencing a new culture and way of life, only to return home and carry on with life and the comforts and familiarity of their home surroundings.

It takes a far greater level of commitment though to leave all that behind and become part of a new community in a foreign land, far from family, friends, and a normal working life.

That though is exactly what the four intrepid individuals we follow in this week's Trusadh did. Four very different stories from four very different people, as they head for Thailand, Vietnam, Europe and beyond. Each of them have different reasons for making this massive leap in to the unknown, and making that difficult decision to change direction. But they are all driven by the same desire - to start their lives afresh.

Transmitted: Monday 16 April
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Caileagan an Iasgaich
Can women take on the 'men's work' of crewing North Sea trawlers? In this week’s show, the girls are sick and tired - but heading home! Last in the series.

Transmitted: Monday 16 April
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Turas a' Bhradain/The Salmon's Journey
In the final programme of the series, Neen MacKay discovers the salmon systems on the Firth of Forth and the Solway Firth.

Transmitted: Tuesday 17 April
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Soillse - Women of the Vatican
The Vatican is traditionally a male dominated state. But recently women have increasingly been finding careers at the heart of the Catholic faith; running, promoting and preserving the heart of the Catholic church.

These women do some of the most important jobs in the Vatican - outwith those jobs which require ordination. They fulfil tasks as varied as helping to vet saint applicants to dealing with public enquiries to meet the Pope.

Transmitted: Wednesday 18 April
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm


Title: Club TV
Exclusive interviews, match action, and behind the scenes at Celtic and Rangers F.C.

Transmitted: Thursday 19 April
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Taghadh bho Na Trads
Music and chat from the Trad Award Winners – some of the finest traditional musicians in the country. Tonight’s show features Julie Fowlis and her band.

Transmitted: Friday 20 April
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 7 April – Friday 13 April 2012

Title: SPL – Dunfermline v Heart of Midlothian
The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Dunfermline host Hearts at East End Park.

The clash will see new Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies face his old side for the first time since taking over as Pars boss but previous league meetings this season suggest that Hearts will enter the match as favourites.

Dunfermline’s first meeting with Hearts this season was in October when the Jambos travelled to East End Park and recorded a 2-0 victory.

Their most recent match was in December, when Hearts recorded a 4-0 victory at Tynecastle Stadium thanks to goals from Stephen Elliott, Mehdi Taouil, David Templeton and Rudi Skacel.

Transmitted: Saturday 7 April
Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm


Title: Air An Rathad – Wacky Races Special

Join presenter Derek Murray as he catches up with the Air an Rathad team this Easter in the Wacky Races Special. All your favourite Wacky Races challenges in one programme, with eight gruelling races to test our plucky presenters to the limit.

Fiona, Murray and Calum Iain may be friends, but they are ruthlessly competitive. Watch them battle it out on the track, in their own version of basketball, with the help of Rollover Roy! There's jelly and eggs to play with, and a strange new game called car curling. Murray thinks he has got the better of Calum Iain in the karting but in the end the rules beat him, despite a tremendous effort by his young team mate Jamie. There's more dressing up, and the lovely Lola returns for a spot of je ne sais quoi.

Who will win the Air an Rathad Cup this time? And what really goes on, behind the scenes? Join Derek on Easter Monday to find out.

Transmitted: Monday 9 April
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Caileagan an Iasgaich / Trawler Girls

Can women take on the 'men's work' of crewing North Sea trawlers?

The girls tackle seasickness - on day one of a 10 day voyage.

Transmitted: Monday 9 April
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Turas a’ Bhradain / The Salmon’s Journey

Neen MacKay visits the Uists for more salmon fishing in the Western Isles.

Transmitted: Tuesday 10 April
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Soillse - 300 Days on an Island

Xavier Rosset decides to see how he will cope with spending 300 days alone on a Pacific island.

The only equipment he will take is a machete, a knife, a first aid kit and a camera to start with. Witness how he struggles through hunger, illness, tropical hurricanes and follow day-by-day this incredibly tough challenge.

Transmitted: Wednesday 11 April
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm


Title: The Self Help Society – an Diugh

In 1981 the BBC series The Self Help Society looked at the co-operative movement run by communities in the Western Isles and, in particular, its impact on Eriskay. This programme offers the opportunity to view the original version and also find out what impact the co-operative and the many other changes which have taken place since have had on the island and the residents.

Transmitted: Thursday 12 April
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: PRO12 Live Rugby – Leinster v Edinburgh
Live action from the RaboDirect Pro12 as Edinburgh travel to Dublin to face Leinster at the Royal Dublin Society.

Edinburgh will enter the match hoping to improve on their last outing against the Irish side – a match that saw Leinster record a 36-28 victory at Murrayfield in October.

The match will start at 7.45pm with commentary from Hugh Dan MacLennan and trackside analysis from Eilidh Barbour.

Transmitted: Friday 13 April
Time: 7.40 – 9.35pm


Title: Gruth is Uachdar / Crowdie and Cream

The late Finlay J. Macdonald's timeless rite-of-passage story about a young boy growing up on the island of Harris continues. It is now 1937. Finlay travels to the little port town of Tarbert to spend the holidays with his grandparents. The wonders of Tarbert and his grandfather's large house (complete with flush toilet) amaze Finlay. Unfortunately he isn't able to enjoy his own room for long. With the Communions approaching he will have to give up his room to visitors from the neighbouring island of Lewis. Finlay devises a scheme to get his own back...

Transmitted: Friday 13 April
Time: 10.30 – 11.25pm

Monday 2 April 2012

Tha Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean a’ foillseachadh pasgan maoineachaidh trì bliadhna a bharrachd de £480,000 do dh’Fhèisean nan Gàidheal, a tha a’ dèanamh cinnteach gum bi am buidhean leantainn air leasachadh ceòl tradiseanta agus ealain na Gàidhlig.

Ann an com-pàirteachas ri Alba Cruthachail, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, agus ùghdarrasan ionadail, cuidichidh maoin HIE a’ leantainn air leasachadh agus a’ togail air adhartas buaidh nam fèisean thairis air na trichead bliadhna a chaidh seachad.

Tha am pasgan-maoineachaidh trì bliadhna mar phàirt de thaic HIE airson obair ealain is chultarach, a’ neartachadh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean.

Bidh pròiseactan a’ gabhail a-steach leudachadh Slighean Cèilidh is Fèis Blas, a’ toirt cothrom dha luchd-ciùil òg is ùr a bhith dol air chuairt is a’ cluich ann an caochladh àiteachan tron Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan. Thèid raon de ghnìomhan ùra a leasachadh, nam measg a bhith a’ foillseachadh cultar na Gàidhlig dha barrachd luchd-amais tro bhith a’ gabhail pàirt ann am fèisean eadar-nàiseanta.

Tha mu 13,000 daoine òga a’ gabhail pàirt gach bliadhna ann an cur-seachadan do bheil Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ toirt taic air feadh na h-Alba. Tha grunn dhaoine a ghabhas pàirt sna fèisean air piseach mòr a dhèanamh a thaobh trèanaidh agus dreuchdan, a’ gabhail a-steach an seinneadair moltach Julie Fowlis agus luchd-ciùil Mairearad Green agus Anna Massie, dithis tàlantach san ionad ceòl-dùthchais.

Thuirt Niall Rois, ceann roinn fàs choimhearsnachdan: “Bithidh na coimhearsnachdan cugallach a bhios a’ toirt pàirt sna fèisean a’ gabhail tlachd a-mach à na buannachdan eaconomach agus i a’ toirt sgilean ùra agus misneachd do dhaoine òga. Tha na fèisean air tabhartas aibhseach air a dhèanamh air beatha iomadh dhuine òga agus neartachadh ceòl tradiseanta agus Gàidhlig mar chànain air feadh na h-Alba.

“Tha obair Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ tàladh dhaoine ùra agus iad sin a tha tighinn air ais don Ghàidhealtachd agus na h-Eileanan. Tha sinn toilichte am pasgan maoineachaidh trì bliadhna fhoilseachadh do Fhèisean nan Gàidheal mar phàirt den chùl-taic airson neartachadh gnìomhachasan cultarachd anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan.”

Thuirt Calum Ailig Mac a’ Mhaoilein, manaidsear leasachaidh Fèisean nan Gàidheal: “Tha sinn glè thaingeil gu bheil HIE a’ leantainn air, gus ar cuideachadh leis a’ phrògram obrach. Cuidichidh an taic seo le bhith cur iomairtean ùra air bhog, a bharrachd air a bhith cumail taic leis na pròiseactan leanntainneach, ionadail a tha cho cudromach do na fèisean. Tha stòras de thàlant a measg com-pàirtichean nam fèisean – òigridh agus inbhich – agus le barrachd cothrom oideachadh àraid agus seasmhach fhaighinn, tha sinn a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil iad a’ toirt a-steach mu 36,000 compàirtichean agus luchd-chruthachail agus leasachadh na Gàidhlig air feadh Alba.”

A bharrachd air taiceadh Fèisean nan Gàidheal agus fèisean ionadail, cuidichidh maoin HIE pròiseactan chudromach agus leasachaidhean, a gabhail a-steach sgoil drama ùr airson luchd ionnsachaidh inbhich agus cur-seachadan drama eile sa choimhearsnachd ann an com-pàirteachas ri Sabhal Mòr Ostaig agus MG Alba.

Tha Fèisean nan Gàidheal a’ toirt taic do 45 Fèisean ionadail – an dràsda a’ toirt cosnadh do 100 daoine air feadh na h-Alba, a’ toirt £7m don eaconomaidh na h-alba, agus £6m a-steach don eaconomaidh a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan thar trì bliadhna.

Julie Fowlis
Chaidh Julie, a tha à Uibhist a Tuath bho thùs, gun chiad fhèis aice nuair a bha i naoi bliadhna a dh’aois agus dh’ionnsaich i mar a chluicheadh i ionnsramaidean ciùil, leithid an fheadain. Lean i oirre gu ceum a dhèanamh ann an ceòl agus a-nise ‘s ann aice a tha aon de na cuairtean ciùil as trainge ann an Alba. Tha Julie air obair a dhèanamh ann an saoghal a’ chraolaidh is i air a prògram fhèin a riochdachadh air BBC Radio Scotland airson dà bhliadhna air sreath a-chèile, a thuilleadh air a bhith a’ nochdadh air an t-seanal telebhisein Gàidhlig, BBC Alba. Cho-riochdaich Julie Folk Awards BBC Radio 2 na bliadhna sa san d’ fhuair i an duais, Folk Singer of the Year ann an 2008. Bho chionn ghoirid nochd òran bhon chruinneachadh ùr aig Julie san fhilm ùr, Brave, aig Disney Pixar.

Bha na fèisean air leth cudromach dha Julie. Thuirt i: “Bha seo na phàirt de dh’oideachadh cudromach dhòmhsa. Tha mi smaoineachadh gu bheil rudeigin co-cheangailte ri bhith a’ cluich ceòl còmhla ri daoine eile a tha a’ cruthachadh dàimh is càirdeas maireannach a dh’fhanas làidir. Tha na fèisean air buannachdan mòra a chruthachadh, chan ann a-mhàin dhan chultar is dhan cheòl ach cuideachd le bhith a’ dèanamh a’ chànain ruigsinneach dha daoine òga”.

Mairearad Green

Buannaiche Duais PRS Composer of the Year aig Duaisean Ciùil MG Alba agus ainmeil airson a stoidhle ealamh is drùidhteach air a’ bhogsa, tha fèill mhòr air Mairearad, a bhuineas dha Aichillidh Bhuidhe, mar chluicheadair is sgrìobhadair ciùil. Chithear tric i air an àrd-ùrlar còmhla ri Anna Massie, Box Club, The Poozies agusThe Usual Suspects, is tha mòran de cheòl Mairearad a’ fàs gu math ainmeil ann an Saoghal Ceòl Dùthchasach na h-Alba.

Thuirt Mairearad: “Chaidh mi gu Fèis Rois an toiseach nuair a bha mi naoi bliadhna a dh’aois agus fhritheal mi a h-uile tè a b’ urrainn dhomh gus na dh’fhàs mi ro aost airson pàirt a ghabhail. On uair sin tha mi air a bhith an sàs mar oide aig grunn thachartasan fèise. Tha mi air buannachd fhaighinn às na Fèisean, an dà chuid gu sòisealta is airson adhartas ann an ceòl, a’ lorg caraidean beatha agus a’ faighinn oideachadh ann an ceòl nach fhaighear air Ghàidhealtachd ann an dòigh sam bith eile. Tron phròiseact, Cèilidh Trail, fhuair mi blasad air beatha mar cheòladair proifeiseanta agus cha do sheall mi air ais bhon uair sin.”

Anna Massie

Ealanta, an dà chuid, air piàna no a’ cluich fonn, ‘s e aon de shàr chluicheadairean giotàir na h-Alba a th’ ann an Anna Massie. Na cluicheadair sgileil iom-ionnsramaid, tha i cuideachd ealanta air an fhidhill, mandolin agus air banjo teanoir. A thuilleadh air a bhith na ball de Blazin’ Fiddles agus The Unusual Suspects agus air a bhith ag obair mar chàraid còmhla ri Mairearad Green, anns na bliadhnaichean mu dheireadh tha i air a bhith a’ cluich na còmhlan fhèin is còmhla ri Kate Rusby, Karen NicMhathain, Capercaillie agus Eddi Reader. Chaidh a h-ainmeachadh trì tursan airson Best Instrumentalistaig Duaisean Ciùil Traidiseanta na h-Alba (2005, 2008 agus 2010) agus mar neach-ciùil air leth tàlantach.

Thuirt Anna: “Bha mi aig Fèis Taobh an Ear Rois uair no dhà eadar naoi is aon bhliadhna deug agus chòrd e rium gu mòr a bhith còmhla ri luchd-ciùil eile. Nuair a bha mi a’ fàs suas bha ceòl an-còmhnaidh san taigh againn agus dh’ionnsaich m’ athair dhomh mar a chluichinn an giotàr nuair a bha mi seachd bliadhna a dh’aois, agus chaidh mi gu leasanan fìdhle mun àm sin cuideachd.”


Sgioba Conaltraidh HIE
01463 244235