Monday 26, Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 Apri
Opp Ramsay Hall – PORT ELLEN
PLEASE REMEMBER TO RETURN OUR 3D GLASSES AT THE END OF SHOW
BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!!
ALICE IN WONDERLAND 3D (PG) 108mins
Director: Tim Burton.
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen, Alan Rickman.
Genre: Adventure, Family.
Plot: 19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen's reign of terror.
As Burtonesque as one could wish for, a real treat for fans of his twisted imagination and great British character actors.. Angie Errigo – Empire magazine
Alice in Wonderland
SHUTTER ISLAND (15) 138mins
Director: Martin Scorsese.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer,
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: Drama is set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island.
DiCaprio delivers a startling pretty boy-to-tough nut makeover – but he has to play it close to his chest here for the storyline to play out. Once you get past the trickery, Shutter Island offers sumptuous, enthralling, shivery gothic filmmaking with a hardboiled heart and a sly line in asylum humour. If a pot is being boiled, at least it’s an intricately-decorated pot on a spectacular fire. 4* Kim Newman - Empire magazine
Shutter Island
CRAZY HEART (15) 128mins
Director: Scott Cooper.
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Keane, Paul Herman, Rick Dial,
Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
Plot: A faded country music musician is forced to reassess his dysfunctional life during a doomed romance that also inspires him. Jeff Bridges won the 2010 Oscar for Best Actor in this role.
A phenomenal, heart-breaking performance from Jeff Bridges powers this simple but affecting redemption story. 4* Nev Pierce – Empire Magazine
Crazy Heart
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
PLANAICHEAN AIR DÒIGH AIRSON SAMHRADH SPÒRSAIL ANN AN CATAIBH
Tha Fèis Chataibh uabhasach toilichte an “Seachdain Samhraidh” bliadhnail a chur air bhog ann an Cataibh. ’S e tachartas cunbhalach air mìosachan na h-ealain do dh'òigridh, bidh an tachartas a’ tairgse tòrr diofar chur-seachadan gus deagh thoiseach-thòiseachaidh a thoirt do làithean-saora an t-samhraidh.
Stèidhichte ann an Àrd-sgoil Ghoillspidh, bidh an Fhèis a’ tairgse theagasg ann an ceòl, òrain, dannsa, dràma, ealain agus ag innse sgeulachdan do gach neach òg eadar 8 is 18 bliadhna a dh’aois a bharrachd air taghadh de thachartasan feasgar cuideachd. Tha Fèis Chataibh airson daoine òga bho a h-uile diofar shuidheachadh
a tharraing gu h-àraidh ma tha ùidh aca anns na sgilean ciùil traidiseanta agus stòrasan-fuinn aca àrdachadh agus ‘s dòcha rudeigin ùr fheuchainn.
A-measg nan luchd-teagaisg a bhios còmhla riutha am bliadhna, tha Mike Vass agus Dave Wood bhon chòmhlan-ciùil Malinky, Jenn Butterworth bhon Rachel Hair Trio, Mairearad Green a bhios a’ cluich gu tric còmhla ri Anna Massie agus chaidh i a bhòtadh mar “sgrìobhaiche-ciùil na bliadhna” anns na Duaisean Ciùil Traidiseanta an-uiridh, cuide ri Calum Stiùbhart à Sgìre-Mhoireibh a bhios a’ cluich gu tric air feadh na Roinn Eòrpa.
Bha Cataibh a-riamh fortanach gun robh traidisean làidir ag innse sgeulachdan aca agus a’ cumail ris an neart seo bidh Jane Bregazzi còmhla riutha a-rithist mar neach-teagaisg ealain agus ag innse sgeulachdan. A bharrachd air seo bidh beartas tàlant ionadail bho air feadh Cataibh ann a’ gabhail a-staigh Jennifer Port, Lynne agus Suzanne Houston, Wendy NicAoidh agus Cailean MacIlleathain à Baile Dhubhthaich agus mòran a bharrachd!
Thuirt Iain Moireach, Cathraiche na Comataidh, “Tha sinn uabhasach pròiseil às na chaidh a choileanadh aig Fèis Chataibh. Tha an t-seachdain air fad gu math brosnachail agus tha sinn air leth fortanach leis an taic a gheibh sinn bhon choimhearsnachd. Tha an t-seachdain air fad air a cuideachadh gu mòr le buidheann mhath de phàrantan agus luchd-thoilich a tha a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil tòrr spòrs aig na daoine òga. Am bliadhna, tha sinn cuideachd a’ cur an tachartas air an làrach sòisealta Facebook. Chithear na tha sinn ris le a bhith a’ clàradh mar aon de na caraidean againn an sin. Bidh an sgioba de luchd-teagaisg agus na tachartasan eile ri tighinn air an cur suas air an làrach seo.”
Airson fiosrachadh air iarrtasan cuir fios gu Allison Watson air allisonwatson@talktalk.net
Stèidhichte ann an Àrd-sgoil Ghoillspidh, bidh an Fhèis a’ tairgse theagasg ann an ceòl, òrain, dannsa, dràma, ealain agus ag innse sgeulachdan do gach neach òg eadar 8 is 18 bliadhna a dh’aois a bharrachd air taghadh de thachartasan feasgar cuideachd. Tha Fèis Chataibh airson daoine òga bho a h-uile diofar shuidheachadh
a tharraing gu h-àraidh ma tha ùidh aca anns na sgilean ciùil traidiseanta agus stòrasan-fuinn aca àrdachadh agus ‘s dòcha rudeigin ùr fheuchainn.
A-measg nan luchd-teagaisg a bhios còmhla riutha am bliadhna, tha Mike Vass agus Dave Wood bhon chòmhlan-ciùil Malinky, Jenn Butterworth bhon Rachel Hair Trio, Mairearad Green a bhios a’ cluich gu tric còmhla ri Anna Massie agus chaidh i a bhòtadh mar “sgrìobhaiche-ciùil na bliadhna” anns na Duaisean Ciùil Traidiseanta an-uiridh, cuide ri Calum Stiùbhart à Sgìre-Mhoireibh a bhios a’ cluich gu tric air feadh na Roinn Eòrpa.
Bha Cataibh a-riamh fortanach gun robh traidisean làidir ag innse sgeulachdan aca agus a’ cumail ris an neart seo bidh Jane Bregazzi còmhla riutha a-rithist mar neach-teagaisg ealain agus ag innse sgeulachdan. A bharrachd air seo bidh beartas tàlant ionadail bho air feadh Cataibh ann a’ gabhail a-staigh Jennifer Port, Lynne agus Suzanne Houston, Wendy NicAoidh agus Cailean MacIlleathain à Baile Dhubhthaich agus mòran a bharrachd!
Thuirt Iain Moireach, Cathraiche na Comataidh, “Tha sinn uabhasach pròiseil às na chaidh a choileanadh aig Fèis Chataibh. Tha an t-seachdain air fad gu math brosnachail agus tha sinn air leth fortanach leis an taic a gheibh sinn bhon choimhearsnachd. Tha an t-seachdain air fad air a cuideachadh gu mòr le buidheann mhath de phàrantan agus luchd-thoilich a tha a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil tòrr spòrs aig na daoine òga. Am bliadhna, tha sinn cuideachd a’ cur an tachartas air an làrach sòisealta Facebook. Chithear na tha sinn ris le a bhith a’ clàradh mar aon de na caraidean againn an sin. Bidh an sgioba de luchd-teagaisg agus na tachartasan eile ri tighinn air an cur suas air an làrach seo.”
Airson fiosrachadh air iarrtasan cuir fios gu Allison Watson air allisonwatson@talktalk.net
FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FRENCH MACDONALDS
Thursday 29 April at 9pm on BBC ALBA
It is the stuff of fiction. A man saves the life of a prince – and dies in exile and poverty, while his son rises to fame and fortune and returns to Scotland in triumph.
Presented by John Morrison, Dòmhnallaich na Frainge, on BBC ALBA on Thursday 29 April at 9pm, this historical re-investigation sheds new light on the ’45 rebellion – and reveals the extraordinary story of a Hebridean father and son who played key roles in both Highland and French History.
Marshal Jacque Etienne Alexander MacDonald was the son of notable Jacobite secret agent, Neil MacEachen who was born in Howbeg South Uist in 1719. He had left Scotland to train as a priest in Paris but instead enlisted as a Jacobite agent and French army officer. He fought at Culloden and was with Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald when they fled ‘Over the Sea to Skye’ and was instrumental in securing the Prince’s escape from Scotland. He died a pauper in France in 1788 but left behind a remarkable son.
The young Jacques MacDonald joined the French and quickly rose to become a General. He was a key supporter of Napoleon and became a Marshall and Duke of Tarentum. He remained loyal to Napoleon and negotiated his exile to Elba. It was MacDonald who, in the name of the French army, accepted Napoleon’s abdication at Fontainebleau in 1814.
In 1825, Marshal MacDonald decided to visit the land of his ancestors where he was feted by the establishment and by the people alike. He died in 1840 and is buried in Paris.
The BBC ALBA programme, produced by Caledonia TV and previously broadcast on BBC Scotland, coincides with a series of events which are set to take place in Howbeg, South Uist on Friday 30 April and which aim to celebrate the French MacDonalds and their links with the Western Isles. Events are planned to commemorate the birth-place of Neil MacEachen at Howbeg, South Uist, to coincide with launch of new edition of ‘The French MacDonald’ with Jean-Didier Hache, as well as the unveiling of a plaque attended by representatives of the French General Consul in Scotland, and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
It is the stuff of fiction. A man saves the life of a prince – and dies in exile and poverty, while his son rises to fame and fortune and returns to Scotland in triumph.
Presented by John Morrison, Dòmhnallaich na Frainge, on BBC ALBA on Thursday 29 April at 9pm, this historical re-investigation sheds new light on the ’45 rebellion – and reveals the extraordinary story of a Hebridean father and son who played key roles in both Highland and French History.
Marshal Jacque Etienne Alexander MacDonald was the son of notable Jacobite secret agent, Neil MacEachen who was born in Howbeg South Uist in 1719. He had left Scotland to train as a priest in Paris but instead enlisted as a Jacobite agent and French army officer. He fought at Culloden and was with Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald when they fled ‘Over the Sea to Skye’ and was instrumental in securing the Prince’s escape from Scotland. He died a pauper in France in 1788 but left behind a remarkable son.
The young Jacques MacDonald joined the French and quickly rose to become a General. He was a key supporter of Napoleon and became a Marshall and Duke of Tarentum. He remained loyal to Napoleon and negotiated his exile to Elba. It was MacDonald who, in the name of the French army, accepted Napoleon’s abdication at Fontainebleau in 1814.
In 1825, Marshal MacDonald decided to visit the land of his ancestors where he was feted by the establishment and by the people alike. He died in 1840 and is buried in Paris.
The BBC ALBA programme, produced by Caledonia TV and previously broadcast on BBC Scotland, coincides with a series of events which are set to take place in Howbeg, South Uist on Friday 30 April and which aim to celebrate the French MacDonalds and their links with the Western Isles. Events are planned to commemorate the birth-place of Neil MacEachen at Howbeg, South Uist, to coincide with launch of new edition of ‘The French MacDonald’ with Jean-Didier Hache, as well as the unveiling of a plaque attended by representatives of the French General Consul in Scotland, and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
FIDDLERS’ BID FROM 30TH ANNUAL SHETLAND FOLK FESTIVAL ON BBC ALBA
BBC ALBA is delighted to announce today (April 27th) that it will be broadcasting a special programme from this year’s 30th Shetland Folk Festival.
A special one hour concert featuring the legendary Fiddlers’ Bid from Shetland, as they stage a very special performance live to their home audience to mark the 30th Annual Shetland Folk Festival, will be produced by Bees Nees for BBC ALBA.
The festival, showcasing the best folk music from around the globe, is taking place from 29 April – 2 May with Fiddler’s Bid performing at the sold out Clickimin Concert on Saturday 1 May. Popular presenter Mary Ann Kennedy will host the Fiddlers’ Bid show for broadcast on BBC ALBA on 31 July, the eve of the band’s 20th anniversary.
Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC ALBA, said: “We are delighted to be working together with Bees Nees and the festival organisers to showcase folk music through coverage of this outstanding festival. Shetland is renowned for its unique musical heritage and rich fiddle tradition and we are extremely excited to offering a special one hour show dedicated to Fiddlers’ Bid, the leading exponents of Shetland’s folk music.
“In the year that the festival celebrates its 30th year we are pleased to be continuing our commitment to event-based music coverage which appeals to a wide audience base of music fans tuning in to BBC ALBA.”
Since their formation in 1991, Fiddlers' Bid has played an extremely important role in the success of numerous Shetland Folk Festivals. They have acted as global ambassadors for the Festival and Shetland as a whole, as they’ve astounded audiences all over the world with their expressive, high-energy music and performances.
With five albums to date, their most recent release 'All Dressed in Yellow' has won them the prestigious Album of the Year Award at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in November 2009. It has also garnered rave reviews as their finest album to date.
The Fiddlers’ Bid programme, produced by Bees Nees and directed by Bridget Caldwell, will be broadcast on BBC ALBA at 9pm on Saturday 31 July, offering viewers exclusive coverage of the band’s performance along with special interviews and audience commentary.
A special one hour concert featuring the legendary Fiddlers’ Bid from Shetland, as they stage a very special performance live to their home audience to mark the 30th Annual Shetland Folk Festival, will be produced by Bees Nees for BBC ALBA.
The festival, showcasing the best folk music from around the globe, is taking place from 29 April – 2 May with Fiddler’s Bid performing at the sold out Clickimin Concert on Saturday 1 May. Popular presenter Mary Ann Kennedy will host the Fiddlers’ Bid show for broadcast on BBC ALBA on 31 July, the eve of the band’s 20th anniversary.
Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC ALBA, said: “We are delighted to be working together with Bees Nees and the festival organisers to showcase folk music through coverage of this outstanding festival. Shetland is renowned for its unique musical heritage and rich fiddle tradition and we are extremely excited to offering a special one hour show dedicated to Fiddlers’ Bid, the leading exponents of Shetland’s folk music.
“In the year that the festival celebrates its 30th year we are pleased to be continuing our commitment to event-based music coverage which appeals to a wide audience base of music fans tuning in to BBC ALBA.”
Since their formation in 1991, Fiddlers' Bid has played an extremely important role in the success of numerous Shetland Folk Festivals. They have acted as global ambassadors for the Festival and Shetland as a whole, as they’ve astounded audiences all over the world with their expressive, high-energy music and performances.
With five albums to date, their most recent release 'All Dressed in Yellow' has won them the prestigious Album of the Year Award at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards in November 2009. It has also garnered rave reviews as their finest album to date.
The Fiddlers’ Bid programme, produced by Bees Nees and directed by Bridget Caldwell, will be broadcast on BBC ALBA at 9pm on Saturday 31 July, offering viewers exclusive coverage of the band’s performance along with special interviews and audience commentary.
BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday, 8 May – Friday, 14 May, 2010
Title: Colin and Cumberland
Enter the world of Aberant and help Colin overcome various obstacles by learning Gaelic. Ideal for complete beginners to the Gaelic language.
Transmitted: Monday 10th May 2010 – Thursday 13th May 2010
Time: 19:50
Title: Trusadh - Elderly Workers
Many people are working longer than ever. Gone are the days when women retired at 60 and men retired at 65. For a variety of reasons people continue to work beyond the retirement age. "Trusadh" meets people in different lines of work and discovers why they wish to continue working instead of taking it easy.
Transmitted: Monday 10th May 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Talamh Tròcair / Revealing Scotland’s Past
Exploring archaeology around Scotland. The final programme of the series, the theme this week is "ritual" archaeology which features current thinking on some of the unusual ancient burial practices and a recently discovered cemetery in Skye dating back to a Scotland of 4000 years ago.
Transmitted: Tuesday 11th May 2010
Time: 20.30
Title: Soillse – Wings over Antartica
Toni, Santi and Alvaro, three professional skydivers face the ultimate challenge: flying over Antarctica - a feat that nobody had achieved before.
Transmitted: Wednesday 12th May 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads.
Transmitted: Friday 14th May 2010
Time: 22:00
Enter the world of Aberant and help Colin overcome various obstacles by learning Gaelic. Ideal for complete beginners to the Gaelic language.
Transmitted: Monday 10th May 2010 – Thursday 13th May 2010
Time: 19:50
Title: Trusadh - Elderly Workers
Many people are working longer than ever. Gone are the days when women retired at 60 and men retired at 65. For a variety of reasons people continue to work beyond the retirement age. "Trusadh" meets people in different lines of work and discovers why they wish to continue working instead of taking it easy.
Transmitted: Monday 10th May 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Talamh Tròcair / Revealing Scotland’s Past
Exploring archaeology around Scotland. The final programme of the series, the theme this week is "ritual" archaeology which features current thinking on some of the unusual ancient burial practices and a recently discovered cemetery in Skye dating back to a Scotland of 4000 years ago.
Transmitted: Tuesday 11th May 2010
Time: 20.30
Title: Soillse – Wings over Antartica
Toni, Santi and Alvaro, three professional skydivers face the ultimate challenge: flying over Antarctica - a feat that nobody had achieved before.
Transmitted: Wednesday 12th May 2010
Time: 21:00
Title: Taghadh bho na Trads
Kathleen MacInnes with more great music from the winners of Na Trads.
Transmitted: Friday 14th May 2010
Time: 22:00
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Plana Gnìomh Bhòrd na Gàidhlig ga fhoillseachadh
Bòrd na Gàidhlig publishes Action Plan for Gaelic
Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a’ phrìomh bhuidheann leasachaidh poblach le uallach airson a bhith a’ brosnachadh agus a’ leasachadh na Gàidhlig, air Aithisg Gnìomha a chur chun Riaghaltais, a’ mìneachadh am planaichean airson astar a chur anns an àireamh a tha ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig agus ga cleachdadh, agus cuideachd dòighean nas èifeachdaiche air a bhith ag obair agus a’ cleachdadh an cuid stòrais.
Tha am Plana Gnìomha a’ mìneachadh ceumannan practaigeach agus deatamach airson àireamhan luchd-cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig fhàs air feadh Alba. Tha e ag amas air Taic do Phàrantan, Brosnachadh, Ionnsachadh do dh’Inbhich, Foghlam ro-sgoile agus sgoile, agus a’ tairgse gnìomhan ro-innleachdail taobh staigh suimean ionmhais agus clàir-ama soilleir.
Tha leth-bhreacan den fios-naidheachd air fad agus am plana gnìomh an cois am post-d seo.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the principal public body promoting and developing Gaelic, will today (Tuesday, April 13) publish “Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig” - an Action Plan to increase the numbers of Gaelic speakers. The Plan has been prepared for Scottish Ministers detailing proposals to accelerate the numbers of people learning and using Gaelic and also ensure the most effective use of existing resources and structures.
The Action Plan sets out practical and urgent steps to increase the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland. It focuses on key areas of Parental Support, Promotion, Adult Learning, Pre-school and School Education, offering strategic actions within affordable financial parameters and clear timeframes.
Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig, a’ phrìomh bhuidheann leasachaidh poblach le uallach airson a bhith a’ brosnachadh agus a’ leasachadh na Gàidhlig, air Aithisg Gnìomha a chur chun Riaghaltais, a’ mìneachadh am planaichean airson astar a chur anns an àireamh a tha ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig agus ga cleachdadh, agus cuideachd dòighean nas èifeachdaiche air a bhith ag obair agus a’ cleachdadh an cuid stòrais.
Tha am Plana Gnìomha a’ mìneachadh ceumannan practaigeach agus deatamach airson àireamhan luchd-cleachdaidh na Gàidhlig fhàs air feadh Alba. Tha e ag amas air Taic do Phàrantan, Brosnachadh, Ionnsachadh do dh’Inbhich, Foghlam ro-sgoile agus sgoile, agus a’ tairgse gnìomhan ro-innleachdail taobh staigh suimean ionmhais agus clàir-ama soilleir.
Tha leth-bhreacan den fios-naidheachd air fad agus am plana gnìomh an cois am post-d seo.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the principal public body promoting and developing Gaelic, will today (Tuesday, April 13) publish “Ginealach Ùr na Gàidhlig” - an Action Plan to increase the numbers of Gaelic speakers. The Plan has been prepared for Scottish Ministers detailing proposals to accelerate the numbers of people learning and using Gaelic and also ensure the most effective use of existing resources and structures.
The Action Plan sets out practical and urgent steps to increase the number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland. It focuses on key areas of Parental Support, Promotion, Adult Learning, Pre-school and School Education, offering strategic actions within affordable financial parameters and clear timeframes.
GNÌOMHACHAS BAS/UNDERTAKERS
BBC ALBA PROVIDES A RARE INSIGHT INTO THE WORK OF THOSE IN THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY
Monday 19 April at 9pm on BBC ALBA
The death of a loved one affects all of us at some point but how much do we really know about the funeral industry and what goes on in the period immediately after a death?
A new documentary in the Trusadh series on BBC ALBA offers a rare glimpse beyond the solemn exterior of this most private of industries.
‘Gnìomhachas Bas/Undertakers’ follows professionals involved in the industry including funeral directors both male and female, stonemasons, a crematorium manager, a minister, a doctor, a council official in charge of cemeteries as well as a florist who prepares wreathes.
Donnie MacLeod has been a funeral director in Portree, Skye, for almost 40 years, continuing the business his father founded in 1969. “It can be very stressful at times,” Donnie admits, “Families do get very upset when they have to part with their loved ones, but we must give them an assurance at all times that we are bringing them back into our own care at a rest room.”
Like many in the industry Brian Reid and Son, coffin makers in Scone, is a family business with over 50 years experience. They have 19 employees making around 13,000 coffins a year.
The Reids say coffins are getting larger to fit the nation’s expanding girth and, despite offering a wide selection, the current trend is for ordering more cost effective coffins. The majority are made of recycled veneered chipboard, which is then stained and varnished.
Lindsay Reid, of Brian Reid and Son, believes it’s impossible to remain completely detached from the significance of their work. He says: “I don’t think you can ever see it purely as a job - it’s a service we provide. I have a daughter of my own and unfortunately we have to make children’s coffins. That’s the difficult part. We don’t want to be sombre about it but of course it affects you.”
In Inverness, Alastair Stewart Memorials was founded in 1992 by Alastair, a former monument sculptor. The family plans to extend the business to offer a full undertaking service and daughter Kyron is training with Evanton funeral director James Mackenzie.
It’s still seen as a somewhat unusual job for a woman, but Kyron is undeterred. She says: “People can accept it that there’s a female willing to do it. Quite often on the memorial side the men seem to open up and, seeing a woman, are more able to download their feelings at that time. I think it’s more acceptable nowadays. You get female plumbers, female builders - it’s just the way things are going.”
Stonemason Jon Hearach Macdonald of Inverness has been making and repairing memorial stones for 40 years in the Highlands and Islands. Sandblasting technology has removed some of the skill necessary for the work, which was formerly done with a hammer and chisel. Nonetheless Jon, whose great uncle was a stonemason and whose children work with him, still takes great pride in his craft. “The way I look at it is as if I’m writing history. What I do today will still be in the cemetery in another 100 years. I find the work very rewarding, if I do it correctly and people are happy with it.”
Produced by mactv for BBC ALBA, ‘Gnìomhachas Bas/Undertakers’ will be broadcast on Monday 19 April at 9pm.
Monday 19 April at 9pm on BBC ALBA
The death of a loved one affects all of us at some point but how much do we really know about the funeral industry and what goes on in the period immediately after a death?
A new documentary in the Trusadh series on BBC ALBA offers a rare glimpse beyond the solemn exterior of this most private of industries.
‘Gnìomhachas Bas/Undertakers’ follows professionals involved in the industry including funeral directors both male and female, stonemasons, a crematorium manager, a minister, a doctor, a council official in charge of cemeteries as well as a florist who prepares wreathes.
Donnie MacLeod has been a funeral director in Portree, Skye, for almost 40 years, continuing the business his father founded in 1969. “It can be very stressful at times,” Donnie admits, “Families do get very upset when they have to part with their loved ones, but we must give them an assurance at all times that we are bringing them back into our own care at a rest room.”
Like many in the industry Brian Reid and Son, coffin makers in Scone, is a family business with over 50 years experience. They have 19 employees making around 13,000 coffins a year.
The Reids say coffins are getting larger to fit the nation’s expanding girth and, despite offering a wide selection, the current trend is for ordering more cost effective coffins. The majority are made of recycled veneered chipboard, which is then stained and varnished.
Lindsay Reid, of Brian Reid and Son, believes it’s impossible to remain completely detached from the significance of their work. He says: “I don’t think you can ever see it purely as a job - it’s a service we provide. I have a daughter of my own and unfortunately we have to make children’s coffins. That’s the difficult part. We don’t want to be sombre about it but of course it affects you.”
In Inverness, Alastair Stewart Memorials was founded in 1992 by Alastair, a former monument sculptor. The family plans to extend the business to offer a full undertaking service and daughter Kyron is training with Evanton funeral director James Mackenzie.
It’s still seen as a somewhat unusual job for a woman, but Kyron is undeterred. She says: “People can accept it that there’s a female willing to do it. Quite often on the memorial side the men seem to open up and, seeing a woman, are more able to download their feelings at that time. I think it’s more acceptable nowadays. You get female plumbers, female builders - it’s just the way things are going.”
Stonemason Jon Hearach Macdonald of Inverness has been making and repairing memorial stones for 40 years in the Highlands and Islands. Sandblasting technology has removed some of the skill necessary for the work, which was formerly done with a hammer and chisel. Nonetheless Jon, whose great uncle was a stonemason and whose children work with him, still takes great pride in his craft. “The way I look at it is as if I’m writing history. What I do today will still be in the cemetery in another 100 years. I find the work very rewarding, if I do it correctly and people are happy with it.”
Produced by mactv for BBC ALBA, ‘Gnìomhachas Bas/Undertakers’ will be broadcast on Monday 19 April at 9pm.
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