Machair
From the collection of
Cèilidh nan Gaidheal
- Inverness
- 1993-12-31
Machair
Watch the first three episodes of Scotland's iconic Gaelic language soap opera, Machair.
Episodes 1-3 of Scotland's first Gaelic-language soap opera, set on the Hebridean island of Lewis
Machair was written in English and translated into Gaelic, then given English subtitles and broadcast at peak viewing time. Peter May and Janice Hally were commissioned to come up with an idea for a Gaelic-language soap opera by Scottish Television when government funding became available for Gaelic programming in the late 1980s.
Shown at peak viewing time on Tuesday evenings, it became one of the top 10 most-watched shows in Scotland, and won a 33% audience share (and this was at a time when Channel 4's flagship soap, Brookside, was getting a 16% share in Scotland). More than 150 episodes were produced from 1993 to 1999.
Among the Gaelic writers employed on the series were Donald Smith, Iain Finlay Macleod, and Aonghas 'Dubh' MacNeacail. A cast and crew of around 60 people brought much-needed revenue to the island, and with much of the annual £3 million budget being spent locally, it provided a huge boost to the local economy. And this was all without being allowed to work on the Sabbath!
Tags
Gaelic Television
"Gaelic for everyone, wherever you are." Explore Scotland's Gaelic Television programmes, from news to soap opera, first broadcast in the 1990s.
This collection showcases the variety of television programmes in Gàidhlig preserved by the National Library of Scotland on videotape. From magazines and current affairs debating the important events of the day to regular news broadcasts and Hogmanay Hoolies - you'll get to see 1990s Britain from a different perspective. The collection is diverse and surprising: alongside language learning programmes you'll discover Country and Western music, historical drama, wildlife and religion!
The main Gaelic speaking audiences in Scotland live in the Western Isles, Highlands and the big Scottish cities. Programmes were often transmitted with English subtitles so they could be enjoyed nationwide. Made by independent production companies as well as Grampian TV, Scottish TV and BBC Scotland, the sector is ambitious and creative. The Broadcasting Act (1990) kickstarted the creation of the Comataidh Telebhisein Gàidhlig (Gaelic Television Committee) that first funded and developed production. Today, MG Alba as it is now known delivers all BBC Alba content digitally in partnership with the BBC. BBC Alba is a free-to-air public broadcast television channel jointly owned by BBC and MG Alba (with similarities to S4C in Wales or TG4 in Ireland) Let's watch some Gaelic TV! Bi tapaidh!
14 videos in this collection
1
Cèilidh nan Gaidheal
2
Telefios na Seachdainn
3
Machair
4
Tuath Cheòl
5
Isle of Skye
6
An Giuthsach - Fo Sgail a'Ghiuthais Albannaich
7
Dealbhan Beò
8
Seirbheis bho Eaglais na h-Alba an t-ath Leathann an t-Eilean Sgitheanach
9
Caraidean
10
Calum a' Charamel
11
Màiri Mhòr: Na h-orain'sa Beatha
12
Cànan ar Dùthcha
13
Cuin Is Càite
14