BBC Alba to broadcast ‘S ann an Ìle

The ‘most ambitious documentary ever filmed on Islay’ begins transmission next week (Thursday 23rd April). The four-part series, ‘S ann an Ìle (It’s on Islay), was shot over nine months and looks at the role of Gaelic on the island and among its people. The ‘cast’ ranges from four-year-old Anna Mitchell – filmed as she started nursery school – to veteran distillery worker Ruaraidh MacLeod – filmed in the Lochindaal Hotel as he celebrated his 89th birthday. Among many other ‘familiar faces’ on screen are Heather Dewar, Duncan McGillivray, Jim MacFarlane, Margaret Anne and Iseabail Mactaggart, Grahame Allison, Iain MacPherson, Robert Forrest and the Ileach’s own Hugh Smith.

From May through until December last year the film crew from Caledonia TV turned up with their cameras in the island’s schools, pubs, streets, ceilidhs, distilleries, historical sites, livestock sales, and in the homes and workplaces of many island residents. One particular ‘target’ for the film makers was the Islay Gaelic Choir. ‘The choir was very interesting to us because it is where a lot of people who are not native Gaelic speakers, first really experience the language,’ said producer Faye MacLean. ‘We were lucky to be filming the choir at a time when it was undergoing a real revival and in a way becoming an ambassador and recruiting sergeant for Islay Gaelic. There are incomers in the choir from England and the lowlands who’ve caught the Gaelic bug to such an extent that they’re now doing the Ulpan Gaelic immersion course at Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle.’ Continue reading....
Faye, a Gaelic speaker from North Uist, was very enthusiastic about her many weeks filming on Islay. ‘It has the reputation as the friendly island, and it’s well deserved. We had a lot of co-operation from the islanders – natives and incomers alike – and it would have been impossible to have made two hours of documentary television without their support and enthusiasm.’

So what will viewers see in the four episodes? A very brief run-down of the series is:
Prog 1: An unusual wedding takes place, and Islay’s population soars as the lively Malt and Music Festival begins. We meet the youngsters of the Gaelic medium unit at Bowmore Primary.
Prog 2: The local Mod proves to be the busiest and best for 20 years. Grahame Allison tells of his ‘conversion’ to the Gaelic cause. And Islay Gaels and Irish Gaels get together to explore the cultural roots they share.
Prog 3: A new term – and new pupils – at Bowmore Primary’s Gaelic Unit. And Islay leaps to the forefront of ‘green’ energy generation as engineers harness the power of the sea.
Prog 4:There’s tears when the choir goes to the National Mod. Incomers make a big effort to learn Gaelic, and Duncan McGillivray’s childhood dreams come true as he begins to restore a traditional ‘Para Handy’ puffer.

‘S ann an Ìle will be shown on BBC ALBA on four consecutive Thursdays from 23rd April at 8.30pm, and be repeated on Sunday evenings from 26th April at 10.00pm. BBC Alba is available on Sky channel 168 and Freesat channel 110. Below a wee preview from Vimeo.

‘S ann an Ìle Promo from Sajid Quayum on Vimeo.