BBC ALBA COMMEMORATES 70th ANNIVERSARY OF SS POLITICIAN GROUNDING

BBC ALBA COMMEMORATES 70th ANNIVERSARY OF SS POLITICIAN GROUNDING

To mark the 70th anniversary of the SS Politician grounding on rocks off the West Coast of Scotland, BBC ALBA is delighted to bring viewers three commemorative programmes including the much loved Whisky Galore! film.

Whisky Galore! – the classic 1949 Ealing comedy - Saturday 5 January at 10pm on BBC ALBA
Bound for Jamaica and America, the SS Politician ran aground on the island of Eriskay on 5 February 1941 with 28,000 cases of malt whisky aboard.

The inhabitants of the isolated, fictional island of Todday in the Outer Hebrides were largely unaffected by wartime rationing during that time. That was however until their supply of whisky ran out in 1943, when gloom descends on the dejected locals. However, the vessel that had foundered off their shores offered a chance opportunity for deliverance to those in need of their native drink. The islanders clashed with authority as they tried to outwit the English Home Guard commander, Captain Waggett who was determined to protect the cargo at all costs.

Cabhsair Eirisgeidh- Friday 4 February at 9pm on BBC ALBA
A documentary highlighting the improved ferry links and major engineering projects which have helped to make the island chain of the Outer Hebrides more accessible both to the mainland and to travellers within the islands, will also be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Friday 4 February at 9pm.

Through the lives of the islanders, Cabhsair Eirisgeidh follows one of the projects from inception to completion, the building of the Eriskay Causeway which took place between 1999 and 2002 and now links the island to the Uist mainland.

Am Politician – Saturday 5 February at 11.20pm on BBC ALBA
Presenter and producer Morag Stewart provides an insightful report into the whisky cargo aboard the SS Politician which went aground off Eriskay in February 1941, and explores the stories of the men who were sent to jail for 'salvaging' it. The programme also asks why the ship carried an intriguing amount of Jamaican currency on board as she made for Kingston, Jamaica and New Orleans, America.