BBC ALBA Saturday 29 September – Friday 5 October 2012

Title: SPL: Motherwell v Celtic The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Celtic travel to Fir Park to face Motherwell. Transmitted: Saturday 29 September Time: 5.30 – 7.30pm Title: Orain A Eirinn / Song For Ireland Recorded in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall at Celtic Connections 2012, Songs of Ireland, features some of the finest Irish singers and musicians around. Eleanor McEvoy, Finbar Furey, Cara Dillon, Luka Bloom, Brian Kennedy and many others sing the songs that Ireland's famous for. Love songs, songs of emigration songs of loss, contemporary and traditional are all beautifully accompanied by the house band, top Irish/American group Solas. Mary Ann Kennedy welcomes you to this hour of great Irish music. Transmitted: Saturday 29 September Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm Title: Turas Tony Actor and presenter Tony Kearney formerly from the BBC's 'River City' swaps the comfort of a television studio for another set of four varied and challenging professions. This episode sees Tony join a building firm on the Isle of Lewis. From the workshop, to being out on site, Tony gets a real flavour of life as a builder. Transmitted: Monday 1 October Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: The Grounds / An Gearradh Chruaidh The Castle Grounds of Stornoway in the Isle of Lewis is a park land of over 6000 acres, the centre piece of which is the historic Lews Castle. Once the indulgence of island lairds, today the lands are owned and used by islanders, having been gifted to the people of Stornoway by the last resident of the Castle - the infamous Lord Leverhulme. From gentle walks and golf to car rallies and music festivals, the Castle Grounds is used by a host of people for a host of reasons. The park, or "the Grounds" are held in huge affection by the people of Stornoway and are a great surprise for visitors to the town. Run by a community trust which is elected by the townsfolk, the acres of ancients trees , shrubs, pathways and formal gardens are managed by a hardy team of groundsmen and estate workers. Through four seasons cameras stayed with the grounds; the users and the workers to chart a year in this treasure of a park. In the third programme we'll see the unique Stornoway Waterwheel which was built in 2005; Stornoway Trust, who manage the Castle Grounds, hold their quarterly meeting and it's time to get rid of a nuisance in the grounds. Transmitted: Tuesday 2 October Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm Title: Soillse – Iomall nan Sgamhan / Final Frontier Soillse follows Herbert Nitsch, one of the best free divers in the world today, who constantly pushes himself to try and break records for being the longest and deepest underwater diver. Transmitted: Wednesday 3 October Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm Title: King Kenny Another chance to King Kenny, charting the career of Kenny Dalglish up until the end of 2011 – the year he returned to Liverpool as manager. Transmitted: Thursday 4 October Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm Title: Siuthad! Siubhal! / Go! Explore! - Argyll This week on Siuthad! Siubhail! : hip-hop in Oban, Emma going under and Pluto getting whipped! Transmitted: Thursday 4 October Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm Title: Sar Sgeoil – The Silver Darlings Cathy MacDonald explores Caithness and Sutherland, using 'The Silver Darlings' as her guidebook. Transmitted: Friday 5 October 2012 Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

Scotland continues to 'lead the world' in marine energy, says HIE Chairman

Scotland, and in particular the Highlands and Islands, is leading the world in the development of marine energy devices – according to the Chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Professor Lorne Crerar is addressing energy industry and public sector professionals at the annual Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference at Eden Court, Inverness today (Tuesday 18 September). The two-day conference has attracted 250 delegates and 40 exhibitors from the marine renewables industry. Professor Crerar said: “Scotland – and the Highlands and Islands in particular – are truly leading the world in marine energy development and deployment. "The coastlines around Shetland, Orkney, the Outer Hebrides and Argyll have some of the best natural resources in the world and they are all playing host to marine developers. The recent launch of Scotland's first marine energy park in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters recognises the huge potential in the north of Scotland.” Already, more than 25 marine energy leases have been awarded in Scotland and the coming years will see leading companies deploying the first wave and tidal arrays as the industry moves towards commercialisation of new technologies. The planned electricity output of the Scottish leases is over 1.6GW – more than Peterhead power station. More wave and tidal energy devices are currently deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney than at any other single site in the world. Scotland also has more marine energy projects under way or in planning than any other country. Scotland is home to some of the most advanced wave and tidal technology developers in the world, including Pelamis Wave Power, Aquamarine Power, Voith Hydro Wavegen, AWS Ocean Energy and Scotrenewables. In addition to the launch of the country's first marine energy park, other recent Scottish developments include: The announcement of the second round of WATERS (Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support) £7.9 million funding to further develop testing of wave and tidal prototypes in the seas around Scotland The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has agreed contracts for all its wave and tidal test berths and has seen a recent flurry of development activity The launch of the Grand Challenge phase of the £10m Saltire Prize The world’s first community-owned tidal turbine which is to be manufactured in Renfrew and deployed in Shetland. Professor Crerar added: “When you reflect on what is being achieved by our small country in terms of world-leading, commercial-scale wave and tidal energy developments and cutting-edge research and skills programmes, you realise that we have progressed from being on the cusp of a marine energy revolution, to actually living it. "Now we need to ensure that we secure lasting benefits for Scotland’s economy and communities – a legacy that will provide a sustainable energy source for our future generations.” Key players from the world of marine energy attending the conference include Aquatera Ltd, Argyll and Bute Renewable Alliance (ABRA), Caithness Renewables Ltd, Kongsberg Maritime Ltd and Marine Scotland. Delegates are able to meet developers and manufacturers who make up the supply chain in Scotland and further afield, and to take part in workshops looking at how to maximise collaboration and support growth of the marine energy sector. Practical actions for the supply chain will be outlined, including opportunities to expand into the renewables sector and attract investors. The two days will also reflect the current challenges facing those working in marine renewables including grid, finance, infrastructure and skills. Neil Kermode, Managing Director at EMEC will also speak at the conference today, he said: “Orkney has taken a global lead in the evolution of wave and tidal energy technologies for more than a decade. At EMEC, we are already witnessing a huge increase in developer activity – all 14 test berths are committed and large utilities and industrial companies are progressing towards commercial scale projects. “This is a fast changing and globally important sector which Scotland is currently leading. The challenge for all of us is to maintain that lead and convert it into commercial opportunities which will drive economic growth.” Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Inverness is the perfect location for those in the marine renewables sector to come together and discuss how we lay the foundations for the future of this technology because the Highlands and Islands are where a lot of the expertise in this industry and connected industries lie. "The conference will also be an opportunity to celebrate the milestones this industry has achieved while debating many of the challenges we must overcome to maintain our advantage and realise our ambitions.”