BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 25 December – Friday 31 December 2010

Title: A-U An Cuala Tu

An entertaining, informative and alphabetical trip through the BBC's song archive in the company of Mary Anne Kennedy with comments and opinions from musicians and fans alike.

Transmitted: Saturday 25th December 2010
Time: 21:00


Title: Horo Ghealaidh / 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, Holly Williams, The Guidewires and Danish performers Helene Blum with Harald Haugaard. 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 25th December 2010
Time: 22:00


Title: Norman at Large

A classic archive treat with Norman MacLean and friends in cabaret.

Transmitted: Saturday 25th December 2010
Time: 23:30


Title: SPL Hibs V Aberdeen

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as Hibs host Aberdeen at Easter Road.

Transmitted: Sunday 26th December 2010
Time: 17:30


Title: Live Rugby - Glasgow v Edinburgh

Magners League action as Glasgow play host to Edinburgh in Scotland's biggest rugby derby.

Transmitted: Monday 27th December 2010
Time: 17:30


Title: Trusadh – The Pope’s visit

2010 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 five 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 27th December 2010
Time: 21:00


Title: Fiddlers’ Bid

Fiddlers' Bid in concert. Shetland's master musicians return for a special concert at the renowned Shetland Folk Festival.

Transmitted: Monday 27th December 2010
Time: 22:00


Title: Soillse – Shakleton

An adventurer and wildlife photographer journey from the Falkland Isles via South Georgia to Antarctica and back up to South America - the same journey taken by the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.

They encounter the wildlife that lives there, and have a chance to gain a better understanding of the rich history that the whaling industry has in the region.

Transmitted: Wednesday 29th December 2010
Time: 21:00


Title: SPL St Mirren v Hearts

The latest full-match coverage from the SPL as St Mirren host Hearts at St Mirren Park.

Transmitted: Wednesday 29th December 2010
Time: 22:00


Title: Trusadh: Kenneth McKellar

Anne Lorne Gillies leads this celebration of arguably Scotland's greatest tenor - Kenneth McKellar who died earlier this 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.

Bill Innes, who presented Radio nan Gàidheal's opera music show, Abair Aria, was a big fan, and doesn't think Scotland recognised his vocal talents. Indeed McKellar was arguably a bigger star, and some would say more appreciated in countries such as Canada and Australia.

Transmitted: Thursday 30th December 2010
Time: 21:00


Title: Donny B: The Original King of Daytime

The inspirational story of the writer and broadcaster, Donny B Macleod, one that took him from a small Hebridean town to the Hollywood homes of the rich and famous.

It delves into the rich archive of Donny's work, both film and writing, and also looks at the fascinating life he led before becoming a broadcaster - including a famous, charisma fuelled, general election campaign.

Narrated by Patsi Mackenzie and featuring contributions from family, celebrity friends and colleagues.

Transmitted: Wednesday 31st December 2010
Time: 21:00


Title: Biadhna nan Oran: Year of Song

Morag MacDonald presents 'A' Comharrachadh Bliadhna nan Òran' (Celebrating the Year of Song) BBC ALBA brings together beautiful and varied performances from specially made shows shown in the last twelve months to mark the Year of Song - from Seudan a' Chuain - the concert which launched Year of Song during Celtic Connections, the Na h-Òganaich documentary, Tìr nan Òran, Blas and the Royal National Caithness Mod. Also, we reveal the song of the year as voted for by the public from the 12 most notable Gaelic songs, selected from over 365 songs.

These songs and many more are available on the dedicated Year of Song website www.bbc.co.uk/alba/oran

Transmitted: Wednesday 31st December 2010
Time: 22:00


Title: Bliadhna Mhath Ur: Hogmanay Ceilidh

John Carmichael and local Uist 'lass' Seasaidh Lexy are throwing open the doors of Polochar Inn, South Uist for a live Hogmanay cèilidh - Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire 2010 to say farewell to 2010 and a big Gaelic fàilte (welcome) to 2011. Joining in the party celebrations is a wealth of Gaelic singers and Gàidhealach musicians: internationally renowned singer Cathy Ann MacPhee, will be travelling from Canada to join in the party; Christine Primrose flies the flag for Lewis and Skye; and local Uist singers Paul McCallum, Gillebride MacMillan and Linda MacLeod will be joining in. Mànran, fronted by Norrie MacIver and Gary Innes is the house band and local musicians Na Deasaich, Iain MacDonald, John Alex MacKay & Seonaidh MacIntyre will be raising the roof with their cèilidh sets.

Also, several stars from the world of Gaelic broadcasting will appear with special messages. And renowned broadcaster Morag MacDonald makes a guest appearance to share her thoughts on the year-long 'Year of Song' event and as ever, Seasaidh Lexy will be doing a 'turn.' We hope to have a live first foot with BBC Scotland's Hogmanay show to wish a Happy New Year to Jackie Bird, Phil Cunningham and their guests.

The Uists are the perfect location for an informal and lively cèilidh, and a warm welcome and musical festival awaits from John, Seasaidh, our audience and guests, live in Polochar. Fàilte oirbh uile!

Transmitted: Wednesday 31st December 2010
Time: 23:30