BBC ALBA BRINGS THE WESTERN ISLES TO THE WORLD!
BBC ALBA will celebrate Hogmanay this year with a live worldwide broadcast on TV, Radio and online, Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire (Hogmanay Cèilidh 2010) which comes from the island of South Uist.
Hosted by John Carmichael and local ‘lass’ Seasaidh Lexy, the celebrations will take place at the Polochar Inn on South Uist and will feature a host of top Gaelic and Traditional music talent. Among those scheduled to appear are Cathy Ann MacPhee from Barra and who will be visiting from her home in Canada; Christine Primrose from Lewis; Paul McCallum (South Uist); Linda Macleod (North Uist) and Gillebride MacMillan who hails from South Uist and who currently lives in Spain.
The evening will also feature the new Gaelic group Mànran, which includes musicians such as Gary Innes, Norrie MacIver and Ewan Henderson while Na Deasaich from South Uist will be amongst those providing the music.
Prior to the Hogmanay cèilidh, BBC ALBA will feature the culmination of Bliadhna nan Òran (The Year of Song) with a special programme A’ Comharrachadh Bliadhna nan Òran (Celebrating the Year of Gaelic Song), hosted by Morag MacDonald. This programme will showcase the best of this special award winning Year of Gaelic Song as well as revealing the winning Gaelic song of the year as voted for by the public. A’ Comharrachadh Bliadhna nan Òran will also be simulcast on BBC ALBA, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and available to view on the BBC iPlayer.
Alan Esslemont, Head of Content at BBC ALBA said “The BBC ALBA offering at Hogmanay has proved popular with the audiences in Scotland who are looking for top quality entertainment at that time of year. BBC ALBA provides that and we very much look forward to celebrating another first as we broadcast live from South Uist”
A’ Comharrachadh Bliadhna nan Òran can be seen on Hogmanay on BBC ALBA starting at 10pm while Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire from 11.30pm. Both programmes have been produced by BBC Gàidhlig for BBC ALBA and will be simulcast on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal (103.5-105FM) and worldwide via www.bbcalba.co.uk.