A LIVE concert from the Isle of Skye – featuring, among others, folk musician, Julie Fowlis – plus an drama about Elvis arriving on the Isle of Lewis, are on the opening night bill of a digital TV channel dedicated to Gaelic language programming, launching at the end of the week.
BBC ALBA – will kick off on Friday, at 9pm – with a new version of the Runrig song, Alba, specially re-recorded for the occasion by a host of Gaelic stars, including Karen Matheson from Capercaillie, Tony Kearney from River City and traditional singers Arthur Cormack and Cathy-Ann MacPhee. Children attending the Glasgow Gaelic School will also feature.
But the channel – a partnership service between MG ALBA and BBC Scotland – will be only available on Sky and Freesat – not Freeview.
A decision on Freeview will be made by the BBC Trust in two year’s time. There are hopes Virgin Media will be soon also offering the channel.
The channel will broadcast up to seven hours a day and feature documentaries, sports coverage, music and entertainment programmes and daily news.
