BBC Radio nan Gàidheal

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal is a Scottish Gaelic language radio station owned and operated by the BBC. The station was launched in 1985 and broadcasts Gaelic-language programming with the simulcast of BBC Radio Scotland.

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal
Broadcast areaScotland - FM, DAB and TV
United Kingdom - BBC Sounds and TV
FrequencyFM: 103.5–105 MHz (RDS: BBC RnG)

DAB
Freeview: 720 (Scotland only)
Freesat: 713 (110)
Sky (UK only): 0139 (117)

Virgin Media: 934 (120)
Programming
Language(s)Scottish Gaelic
FormatNews, Entertainment, Speech, Showbiz
Ownership
OwnerBBC Scotland
History
First air date
1 October 1985
Former call signs
BBC Radio Nan Eilean
BBC Air A'Ghaidhealtachd
Links
WebcastBBC iPlayer Radio
Websitewww.bbc.co.uk/radionangaidheal

The station is available from FM transmitters throughout Scotland: its service licence states that "BBC Radio nan Gàidheal should be available every day for general reception across Scotland on FM";[1] it can also be heard on digital television platforms, DAB Digital Radio, and online.

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal programmes are also broadcast (with an in-vision graphical overlay) on the Scottish Gaelic digital television channel BBC Alba during periods when the channel is not carrying television programmes.[2]

History
Main article: BBC Home Service

Scottish Gaelic-language programming has been transmitted in Scotland since 1923, and the BBC's Gaelic-language department was established in 1935. Launching on 17 May 1976, BBC Radio Highland[3] produced a range of Gaelic programming – BBC Radio na Gaidhealtachd – and on 5 October 1979 the Scottish Gaelic service BBC Radio nan Eilean was established in Stornoway. On 1 October 1985, these two separate services united to form Radio nan Gàidheal.[4] The main base for Radio nan Gaidheal is on Seaforth Road in Stornoway, having moved in June 2014 from the Church Street studios.

Coverage

Radio nan Gàidheal broadcasts for over 90 hours every week,[2] and joins BBC Radio Scotland's medium-wave feed when they close transmission.[5] Radio nan Gàidheal now frequently broadcasts important Scottish football matches providing Gaelic commentary.

Radio nan Gàidheal shows are available for 30 days after most recent broadcast on BBC iPlayer and on the BBC's website.[6]

Podcasts of some shows are available from the BBC website and on iTunes for some time after transmission. These include two programmes aimed at learners of the language, entitled Letter to Gaelic Learners and The Little Letter, the latter being a more basic version of the former.[7] Both letters are also available at learngaelic.net, with transcripts.[8]

Funding

The service budget for 2009 was £3.9m with a change of any more than 10% requiring approval of the BBC Trust.[9] The service budget in 2011 was almost the same as 2009 at £3.8m and requires the same controls as previous licences.[1] This funding comes from the BBC Trust, the governing body of the BBC which is operationally independent of management and external bodies.[10] As is the same with all BBC Radio and TV stations, the channel is funded by the licence fees gathered.

Programming

News

The news (Scottish Gaelic: Naidheachdan) is broadcast in three-minute bulletins five times a day during the week and three times a day on a Saturday.

Shows containing other local and national news include:

  • Aithris an Fheasgair – Local and national news.
  • Aithris na Maidne – The main morning news and current affairs programme of Radio nan Gàidheal. Presented by Seumas Dòmhnallach, Dòmhnall Moireasdan, Iain MacIlleathain, Angela NicIlleathain and Innes Rothach. It covers a wide news agenda, encompassing national and international affairs, Highland and Island issues and issues pertaining specifically to the Gàidhealtachd.

Current affairs and Drivetime
  • Coinneach MacÌomhair – Daily topical programme with light-hearted reflections and fun along with debates, discussions and deliberations about the news. Presented by Kenneth Maciver (Coinneach MacÌomhair) from the Stornoway studio.
  • Siubhal gu Seachd le Pluto – Drive time show containing entertainment and the latest news with Derek 'Pluto' Murray.

Music programmes
  • A' Mire ri Mòir – Presented by Mòrag Dhòmhnallach (MacDonald). Traditional Gaelic music and general chat every weekday from BBC studio in Inverness.
  • Caithream Ciùil – Daily afternoon programme featuring Celtic music and interviews presented by Mairead MacLennan and Seonag Monk.
  • Fàilte air an Dùthaich (Welcome to the country) – Country music from the Ness to Nashville from Radio nan Gàidheal's studio in Pacific Quay in Glasgow every week.
  • Mac'illeMhìcheil – Weekly Gaelic and country music show presented by Iain Mac'illeMhìcheil (John Carmichael), with his guests from the Glasgow studio.
  • Na Dùrachdan (The Wishes) – Music request show where listeners can request songs by telephone, internet and email. Presented from Inverness.
  • Oran an Là – Five minute broadcast containing a "Song for the Day".
  • Rapal – show dedicated to new music including rock and pop, currently presented by Emma MacInnes.

Other programmes
  • Aileag – Gaelic children's programme featuring modern-day and Celtic music, interviews and information. It is a weekly show, first broadcast on Friday then repeated on Saturday. Aileag is broadcast from the BBC's Stornoway studio and first started in 1992. It is presented by Karen Mhoireasdan (Morrison) & Janice Anne Mackay.
  • Beag air Bheag – Educational programme for Gaelic learners, presented by John Urquhart.
  • Feasgar – Lunchtime show including news, debate, music and entertainment, presented by Cathy MacDonald.
  • Dèanamaid Adhradh – Weekly religious programme.
  • Spòrs na Seachdain (Week's Sport) – Weekly sports programme. It broadcasts local, national and international sport with John Morrison. It is presented from Pacific Quay in Glasgow. Guests include Radio Personality of the Year 2008, Derek Murray, former Eòrpa reporter and spòrs commentator Derek Mackay and Ailig O'Henley and Ailean "Shabby" Macdonald.

See also

References
  1. "BBC Radio nan Gaidheal Service Licence" (PDF). BBC Trust. April 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  2. About Radio Nan Gaidhea – BBC Online
  3. McDowell, W.H. (1992). The History of BBC Broadcasting in Scotland 1923–1983. Edinburgh University Press. p. 257. ISBN 0-7486-0376-X.
  4. Koch, John T. "Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia". ABC-CLIO Ltd, 2006. pp. 1265 – retrieved 22 August 2011
  5. BBC Radio nan Gaidheal Programming
  6. Radio nan Gàidheal Dachaigh (Homepage)
  7. BBC Podcasts – Radio nan Gàidheal
  8. http://learngaelic.scot/usegaelic/index.jsp
  9. "BBC Radio nan Gàidheal Service Licence" (PDF). BBC Trust – Radio Nan Gaidheal. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  10. Department for Culture, Media and Sport (on behalf of Elizabeth II) (19 September 2006). "BBC Royal Charter" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2007. Retrieved 3 March 2007.

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