TWO WHEELS ON THE DANUBE CHARTS KEVIN MACNEIL’S LIFE-CHANGING QUEST ON BBC ALBA
Thursday 8 April at 9pm on BBC ALBA
Internationally renowned poet, bestselling novelist, acclaimed playwright, celebrated lyricist and all-round itinerant writer, Kevin MacNeil has been on a voyage of discovery ever since he decided to move to Shetland and become a hermit.
Ready now to face the world, a new documentary on BBC ALBA, ‘Dain air an Danube/Two Wheels on the Danube’, follows Kevin MacNeil as he undertakes the most challenging journey of his life, facing up to himself, tackling a huge physical task and dealing with life's bigger questions.
In Shetland, with little to do but write and reflect on his unusual life, Kevin found himself facing up to his demons - namely serious, long-term depression and related issues such as self-medication and lack of confidence.
Unexpectedly, Kevin began rediscovering his passion for life and the things that made life worth living. He found glimpses of remembered happiness in the simple things in life, things that had, for a number of years now, felt utterly empty to him.
At 36 years of age, the misadventurous poet bought a bike. As he swapped his writer's seat for the saddle, a lot of skewed stars came into alignment and a crazy, worthwhile plan began to form. A word he has always loved - 'Danube' - came into his head.
The mighty Danube, a poetic name that conjures up images of vast and awesome beauty. Why not cycle the length of the huge blue Danube (1771 miles), the longest river in the EU to raise money for cancer charities and achieve solitary, less tangible benefits of creative writing, to prove that there's more to writers than self-indulgence, egotism and espressos.
Kevin begins his journey at the great river's source in the Black Forest, Germany and eventually he will come to the beautiful city of Passau on the Austrian border. His journey will continue on to Vienna, passing by bridges, ferries, small towns, placid scenery, hilltop castles, monasteries and woods.
During his quest, Kevin is joined by two old friends. Journalist Torquil Crichton who is a keen cyclist and friend of Kevin’s joins him on his final stage into Budapest whilst Aonghas Macneacail, renowned Gaelic poet and at one time writer in residence at Sabhal Mor Ostaig in Skye where he and Kevin first met, joins Kevin in Vienna.
‘Dain air an Danube’ takes one openhearted writer on two glittering wheels over a period of four remarkable weeks by the world's most inspiring river, to provide compelling footage of a great and literally life-changing journey.
‘Dain air an Danube/Two Wheels on the Danube’, has been produced by Don Coutts of Move On Up for BBC ALBA and is being broadcast on Thursday 8 April at 9pm.
END
Picture caption: Kevin MacNeil cycling the Danube.