TÌR NAN ÒRAN : HEARTLAND SONG FROM THE ARGYLL ISLES ON BBC ALBA
Monday 1 November at 8.30pm on BBC ALBA
Throughout 2010 BBC ALBA has been celebrating ‘Bliadhna nan Òran’ - “The Year of Song’ offering viewers an unparalleled line-up of programmes featuring a wealth of Gaelic singing talent both from the archives and newly produced programmes.
Ishbel MacTaggart, from Islay, a Mod Gold Medalist and conductor of the Islay Gaelic Choir
As part of ‘Bliadhna nan Òran’ (Year of Song) output, the new Tìr nan Òran : Heartland Song series produced by BBC Gàidhlig, takes the audience on a musical journey throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland exploring the music and song associated with these spectacular areas. Through five of the most popular songs, tunes and melodies, connections will be made to the history, tradition and culture of each area.
On Monday 1 November, the islands of Argyll will be featured, reknowned for their wealth of singers and bards. Tìr nan Òran will feature songs from the isles including:
Also featuring in the Argyll Isles programme will include Ishbel MacTaggart, from Islay, a Mod Gold Medalist and conductor of the Islay Gaelic Choir, as well as Mabel MacArthur from Tiree, a well-known Gaelic singer and performer at the Mod.
The programme will also explore the history of the isles relating to events such as the Jacobite Rebellion, the clearances, and the aftermath of war.
The series will also explore songs and music relating to migration and emigration, and explore the impact of the Highland communities which were established in Scotland’s towns and cities. The series will reflect the Mod and the many Celtic music festivals which take place all over the country and will showcase some of Gaeldom’s most prolific singers and songwriters.
The beautiful scenery of the Scottish landscape will accompany archive recordings from the BBC’s Gàidhlig television and radio archive.
Tìr nan Òran (Heartland Song) from the Islands of Argyll will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Monday 1 November at 8.30pm and repeated on Friday 5 November at 11pm.