BBC WEEK 4, 21 - 27 January 2017 Programme Information, Television & Radio BBC Scotland Press Office BBC Media Centre (Scotland) BBC iPlayer (Scotland) BBC Scotland BBC Scotland on Facebook @BBCScotland on Twitter

General / Carol Knight Hilda McLean Jim Gough Julie Whiteside BBC Alba

THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS TELEVISION & RADIO / BBC WEEK 4

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MONDAY 23 JANUARY Taigheadas Dùthchail/Rural Housing, Ep 1/4  NEW BBC ALBA

TUESDAY 24 JANUARY River City  TV HIGHLIGHT BBC One Scotland

WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY Burns in the USA  NEW BBC Two Scotland ______

Viewers outside Scotland can access BBC One Scotland on Sky 141 (HD) & 951, Freesat 108 (HD) & 960, Virgin Media 108 (HD) & 862. BBC Two Scotland can be viewed on Sky 142 (HD) & 970, Freesat 970. BBC ALBA is on Sky 143, Freesat 110, Virgin Media 188, Freeview 8 (Scotland only). BBC Radio Scotland can be accessed on Sky 0116, Freesat 712, Freeview 719 (Scotland only). BBC One Scotland, BBC Two Scotland and BBC ALBA are also available on the BBC iPlayer .co.uk/iplayer & BBC Radio Scotland on bbc.co.uk/radioscotland

EDITORIAL 2017 / BBC WEEK 4 ______

TIMELINE BRINGS CURRENT AFFAIRS TO PRIME TIME

BBC Scotland’s new TV current affairs programme, Timeline, begins its Thursday evening peak-time run on January 26.

Presented by Glenn Campbell and Shereen Nanjiani, the programme will bring thought-provoking stories and analysis from across Scotland, told through some of the country’s most passionate and informed guests.

The audience will be at the heart of Timeline, which will give viewers an authentic voice on the stories and issues that matter, and will seek answers to their questions.

Timeline will complement BBC Scotland’s existing TV news, current affairs and politics programmes including Politics Scotland, First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Questions, Sunday Politics and the enhanced Reporting Scotland. It aims to go behind the headlines and political spin; to give context through first-hand experience to the issues of the week; and to hold those in power to account on the big stories.

“Timeline will be the weekly centrepiece of a new engagement with our audience, who will be invited via the website and social media to help shape the programme's agenda," said Gary Smith, BBC Scotland's Head of News and Current Affairs.

“A timeline is our go-to for information, for news, for what we care about. It’s how we find out what’s interesting and relevant to our lives. A timeline connects people. It brings them together to share stories, experience and opinions. It connects young and old, the ordinary that can become exceptional. Timeline is a programme that will do just that.”

The programme will be on BBC2 Scotland live every Thursday evening from 7.30 to 8pm and will have an online and social media presence all week.

RT

EDITORIAL 2017 / BBC WEEK 4 ______

BURNS ON THE BBC

The influence of Scotland’s National Bard on the USA is marked in a special TV documentary along with two special concerts, a documentary on radio and viewers’ regular visit to River City’s festivities to mark the annual Burns celebrations.

Burns in the USA looks at how the poet influenced American thinkers and his impact on the USA, where his image, in the 19th Century, was used to sell everything from cigars and tobacco to beer and fizzy pop. Today his impact upon America is further illustrated by memorials, not least in Atlanta, where a replica of Burns Cottage sits as home to the local Burns Club.

Robert Burns never visited the United States. But, whether in the north or south, east or west, its people have identified with the Bard and his works.

Radio Scotland also marks Burns Day with two special programmes, The Secret Rock n Roll Life of Robert Burns at 1.30pm and Burns Night Special, a two-hour live Celtic Connections concert at 9pm hosted and featuring Jamie MacDougall and starring , Boo Hewerdine, Bardic Trio and readings from Newsdrive’s Bill Whiteford.

The Secret Rock n Roll Life of Robert Burns looks at what fame may have meant in Robert Burns’ day as Keara Murphy investigates celebrity life, 18th century style.

Modern day celebrities can have a rock and roll lifestyle where they can trash hotel rooms, drink and party and hit the front pages of glossy magazines, but what did fame mean in Robert Burns’ day? Was there even such a thing as a ‘celebrity’? Was he one while he was alive?

Radio 2 also mark the occasion with a recorded concert from at 7.00pm and featuring New band Ímar performing instrumental music from their debut album, Afterlight, and acclaimed Scottish singer Siobhan Miller performing a mix of Robert Burns’ songs and music from her new album, Strata. Ímar includes members of other top groups including Talisk, Barrule and Rura, coming together to create a fizzing blend of Celtic styles.

Mark Radcliffe will also pick a selection of beautiful or intriguing recordings of Burns' songs by folk artists past and present.

Finally, River City’s residents always like to mark Burns Day and this year their annual Tall Ship celebrations sees Shieldinch locals Caitlin McLean (played by Gayle Telfer Stevens) and Robbie Fraser (Gary Lamont) perform moving renditions of Ae Fond Kiss and A Man’s A Man for A’ That.

ENDS

EDITORIAL 2017 / BBC WEEK 4 ______

THE BBC AT CELTIC CONNECTIONS

Celtic Connections, the biggest winter music festival in the world, takes centre stage in Glasgow this month and the BBC are once again at the heart of it with a variety of concerts and programmes.

Staged in venues across Glasgow, BBC Scotland will be onsite at many of the events, giving audiences a front row seat at a whole range of performances.

We’ll bring special programmes to audiences on BBC Two Scotland, BBC ALBA, Radio Scotland, Radio 2 and Radio 3 and featuring a host of major international artists including Laura Marling, Olivia Newton John, Beth Nielson Chapman, Eddi Reader, Craig Armstrong and Darlingside.

First up over a week of live and pre-recorded evening concerts from our regular Celtic Connections venue at the Glasgow Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) in Sauchiehall Street is BBC Radio Scotland’s Take the Floor with Gary Innes on Sunday January 22 followed by Radio 2’s Mark Radcliffe from 7pm on Monday January 23 with music provided by Darlingside, Seth Lakeman, Wildwood Kin and Robyn Stapleton. Details of how to get tickets http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/celtic_connections_2017

The following evening - Tuesday January 24 from 7.00pm – Radio 2 also feature some great acts for Mark’s show including Olivia Newton John who has teamed up with Beth Nielson Chapman and Amy Sky, while there will also be music from Ross Ainslie, Ali Hutton, Adam Holmes and The Embers.

As you’d expect, Burns Night is the main focus on Wednesday January 25 when BBC Radio Scotland present a live two hour programme hosted by Jamie MacDougall from 9.00pm with music from Eddi Reader with Boo Hewerdine, Breabach and poetry readings from Newsdrive presenter Bill Whiteford.

Radio 2 also have a recorded Burns special at 7.00pm with presenter Mark Radcliffe introducing music from new band, Imar, and former Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner, Siobhan Miller.

Ricky Ross and Another Country are up next on Thursday January 26 with two hours of live music from Margo Price, Tift Merritt and Lewis & Leigh. This very special programme will transmit live on Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland, while Radio 3 get in on the act the following evening when presenter Lopa Kothari and an international cast bring World on 3 from the CCA with a little help from Ben Hunter, Joe Seamons, Phil Wiggins, Renata Ross and De Temps Antan

Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk picks up the baton on Sunday January 29 with live music from Four Men and a Dog, The Halton Quartet and Ryan Young.

There are further programmes that week at the CCA including the popular BBC Radio Scotland Quay Sessions with Roddy Hart featuring Eliza Carthy and The Wayward Band and Scots singer-songwriter Iain Morrison; Janice Forsyth with a review of the festival; and a second show of live music from World on 3.

BBC Scotland will be covering the ever-popular festival opening concert, this year featuring acclaimed singer/songwriter Laura Marling performing with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Jules Buckley, and shown on Sunday January 29 on BBC Two Scotland at 10.00pm. Also playing at this prestigious event are Karine Polwart, Adam Holmes, Aziza Brahim, Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys, Cara Dillon and Declan O’Rourke. Roddy Hart introduces the programme recorded live from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Thursday January 19.

Later in the year BBC ALBA viewers will enjoy series 3 of Seirm, the music session series presented by Mary Ann Kennedy featuring top acts from across the festival including The Bonnymen, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Karan Casey. And BBC ALBA will also record a very special Glasgow Concert Hall event featuring a collaboration between Glasgow born composer Craig Armstrong and Lewis musician/composer Calum Martin with a new music piece inspired by the psalm singing tradition, for broadcast later in the year. Concluding BBC Scotland’s coverage, the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2017 final will be live from 5pm on Sunday February 5 from Glasgow City Halls hosted by Bruce Macgregor.

Radio Scotland’s Editor of Music, Sharon Mair, says the she believes the wide ranging BBC output will allow viewers and listeners across the country to experience the fantastic music on offer.

“Glasgow loves hosting Celtic Connections and we love bringing some of the best of the festival to BBC audiences too. This is an amazing opportunity to discover some diverse and stunning musical talent from around the globe. I know our presenters are as excited as I am to showcase this festival to a wider audience,” she said.

For full information about our output go to www.bbc.co.uk/celticconnections

RT

MONDAY 23 JANUARY TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS /BBC WEEK 4 ______

The Mart, Ep 3/6 Monday 23 January BBC One Scotland, 7.30-8.00pm

This week, Thainstone opens its gates to one of the biggest food festivals in the country as the Taste of Grampian comes to town. The event has been organised for the last 17 years by hostess extraordinaire Carol Fowler and this year is no different. Carol works year round on bringing in local businesses to set up stalls at the event and showcase the best of North East Scotland’s produce. The physical preparation of turning Thainstone from a bustling livestock market to a high-end food showcase begins in the week leading up to the day itself as marquees are erected, stalls are built and the auction rings are transformed into amphitheatres fit for Broadway all for the party of fourteen thousand guests and exhibitionists. Carol makes sure everything’s in order in the lead up to the party but there’s one thing she can’t control - the weather! The day before the event, the heavens open and the Thainstone car park is a washout. The big day arrives and Carol has done all she can do. Despite a cloudy start, the sun begins to shine and Thainstone is soon packed with punters looking to sample local produce. One of the local producers showing his wares is Craig Michie who with the help of his family, raises over a hundred turkey chicks which can be reserved for Christmas at the Taste of Grampian event. Craig pulls out all the stops to sell his birds, including the use of a human turkey to bring in the buyers. Says Craig: “This will attract the crowds to our ring – a giant turkey.” Taking up an entire auction ring, Craig’s chicks run free and attract plenty customers making it an excellent day of sales for the Michies. Elsewhere at the event, a Guinness world record attempt is about to be made for the butcher who can make the most sausages in one minute. And also making an effort to join the fun is Colin Slessor. Having picked up on the professional butchers’ techniques, Colin goes for glory but falls at the first hurdle, making for a hilarious showcase for everyone in the theatre to watch. While the Taste of Grampian chaos goes on, Turriff farmer Alan Gibb is preparing to sell on his beloved cattle. The sale is particularly sensitive for him as all the heifers he sells are pregnant. With a bit of TLC and with no problem getting his hands dirty, Alan clips and snips, getting his ladies looking their best for their big day. He’s joined at Thainstone by his daughter Marina and grandchildren Betsy, Pippa and Charles who all watch the heifers – including a pet favourite 44C - going through the ring.

HM ______

Taigheadas Dùthchail/Rural Housing, Ep 1/4  NEW Monday 23 January BBC ALBA, 8.30 – 9.00pm

A brand new four-part series which examines the dramatic development of rural housing in Scotland over the years. Builder Ewen MacKinnon, who has a passion for the beauty of construction, takes a fascinating and revealing road trip through Scotland's rural housing landscape - telling a story of place, people and home. The first programme takes a look at some examples of the earliest dwellings in Scotland, dating back to the Iron Age. Ewen explores their key qualities, and see what they teach us about those who lived there. Amongst the buildings Ewen visits are the impressive Isle of Lewis stone structures, the Bosta Iron Age House in Uig, and the Norse Mill in nearby Shawbost, and the Carloway broch. These structures have also inspired numerous impressive new island homes. The programme also examines the fascinating wooden crannogs, which were built on Scotland's lochs, and visit a unique reconstruction in Perthshire. Rural Housing - a new series which explores the unique building elements of our urban landscapes, and the influences they have had on the dwellings that Scotland now lives in.

GM/LG ______

Port, Ep 4/9 Monday 23 January BBC ALBA, 10.00 – 10.30pm

Presented by Julie Fowlis and Muireann NicAmhlaoibh, Port is a musical documentary that reveals shared musical heritage. In this episode, they visit Sligo and Leitrim in Ireland, an area renowned for flute and fiddle traditions. Accompanying Julie and Muireann on this trip are acclaimed piper Dr Angus MacDonald of Glenuig and Linda MacLeod, the young singer steeped in the musical traditions of her native North Uist. Local singer Niamh Farrell teaches Linda and Julie the beautiful ballad Eileanóir Na Rún and Linda returns the favour by sharing songs with Muireann, Niamh and Julie. For Dr Angus, a highlight of the visit to the north west of Ireland comes when he travels to Kiltyclogher and meets patriarch of a musical dynasty, Ben Lennon, and accompanies his brother Charlie Lennon and son, Brian, on a set of tunes. Mary McPartlan sings a favourite song with Julie, about Drumkeeran, where generations of her family lived and they visit Mary's favourite location on earth, on the family farm. The episode culminates in a session at folk music bar where local musical legend Carmel Gunning joins in the assembled cast.

GM/LG

TUESDAY 24 JANUARY TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEK 4 ______

River City  TV HIGHLIGHT Tuesday 24 January BBC One Scotland HD, 8.00 – 9.00pm facebook.com/bbcrivercity twitter.com/bbcrivercity instagram.com/bbcrivercity

This week in Shieldinch…fists fly when Andy’s hidden feelings for Lorna surface after he discovers Greig has been lying to her; Lenny’s return home from hospital sees Alex and Annie plot to derail him; and Pete’s erratic behaviour causes concern during Caitlin’s Burns Night debut. Greig confides in Andy that he’s considering a private security job in Syria. Andy urges him to rethink but Greig asks him to keep quiet – Lorna doesn’t know. The next day, Lorna’s taken by surprise when Andy drops the bombshell that Greig is considering a job in Syria. Hurt and betrayed, Lorna turns to Annie for advice and admits she shared a kiss with Andy. Insisting she wants to keep her family together, Lorna decides to find out why Greig lied. However, when Lorna confronts Greig he instantly suspects Andy has betrayed him in order to find favour with his wife. Later, when the two friends finally come face-to-face, emotions and tempers run high with Lorna firmly caught in the middle. Elsewhere, when DI Donald reveals Alex has taken over Murdoch Enterprises, Lenny discharges himself from hospital. Worried his father will uncover the truth, Alex asks Annie to mess with Lenny’s medication to buy them time. Alasdair spots an opportunity for Caitlin to find her voice at the Tall Ship’s Burns Night. Initially reluctant, Caitlin takes to the stage but her moment is overshadowed by Pete’s erratic behaviour. Also this week, Bob discovers his latest dating conquest really is too good to be true.

Andy is played by Simon Webbe, Lorna by Alana Hood, Greig by Glen Wallace, Lenny by Frank Gallagher, Alex by Jordan Young, Annie by Dawn Steele, Pete by Andy Gray, Caitlin by Gayle Telfer Stevens, DI Donald by Robin Laing, Alasdair by Michael Mackenzie and Bob by Stephen Purdon.

JW ______

Leugh Mi, Ep 7/8 Tuesday 24 January BBC ALBA, 8.30 – 9.00pm

Anna Macleod is in conversation with two guests each week about their favourite books. Roddy MacIver reads from Raymond Chandler's classic crime thriller, The Long Goodbye, and in Roddy's opinion, the best opening of a book ever written. Roddy also selects Dìomhanas by Finlay MacLeod, as a collection of beautifully and keenly observed short stories. Mairi Bremner takes viewers on a Long Walk to Freedom with Nelson Mandela's compelling autobiography and reads from The Robe, a novel rich with adventure, faith and romance by Lloyd C. Douglas. As well as discussing their favourite books each guest will have chosen a book for the other to read and the programme will discover whether they enjoyed it - or not.

GM/LG ______

Farpaisean Chon-Chaorach/Sheepdogs, Ep 4/8 Tuesday 24 January BBC ALBA, 9.00 – 10.00pm

Presenters Donald MacSween and Catriona MacPhee are in Stranraer for the second day of competition at the Scottish National sheepdog trials. In contrast to the beautiful weather on day one of the trial, day two brings torrential rain and difficult conditions for handlers aiming to make the Scottish team who will compete in the International competition. Lotte and husband Motte Magnusson both perform well but Mist, running for Neil McVicar outperforms everyone.

GM/LG

WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS /BBC WEEK 4 ______

Scot Squad, Ep4/5 Wednesday 25 January 2017 BBC One Scotland, 10.40-11.10pm

Top comic capers from Caledonia’s crack team of cops in the latest instalment of spoof comedy series, Scot Squad. Out in the sticks, an outbreak of dodgy merchandise on-sale in rural pubs sees PC Charlie McIntosh and PC Jane Mackay working undercover. The cops need some extra muscle to nail the crooks and their call is answered by accordion legend Phil Cunningham who drops his squeezebox to get to grips with a rogue trader. On night shift, Volunteer Officer Ken Beattie shows up at a soup van and gets more than he bargained for as Cilla ladles out soup, sustenance and important intel on shady deals. Officer Karen encourages Bobby to call 101 to speak to trained police experts - and stop him coming into her station all the time. Later, the Desk Sergeant utilises all her diplomacy skills when asked to provide a reference for Bobby ahead of a job interview. Elsewhere, Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson discovers a whole new world of insults when he flexes his itchy trigger finger and samples the world of online gaming while PC Hugh McKirdy and Surjit Singh get on the wrong side of a short-sighted cyclist. Urban cops, PC Jack McLaren and PC Sarah Fletcher, fail to score with a new street survey while Maggie Le Beau produces the perfect piece of equipment to cut short any pocket phonecalls to the police.

Blue light spoof comedy starring Chris Forbes as PC Charlie McIntosh, Ashley Smith as PC Jane Mackay, Phil Cunningham as himself, James Allenby-Kirk as Volunteer Officer Ken Beattie, Karen Bartke as Desk Sergeant Karen Anne Millar, Darren Connell as Bobby Muir, Jack Docherty as Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson, Grado as PC Hugh McKirdy, Manjot Sumal as PC Surjit Singh, Jordan Young as PC Jack McLaren, Sally Reid as PC Sarah Fletcher, ML Stone as Maggie Le Beau. Scot Squad is a Comedy Unit production for BBC One Scotland.

JW ______

Burns in the USA  NEW Wednesday 25 January BBC Two Scotland, 9.00-10.00pm

Robert Burns was well aware of the revolution taking place across the Atlantic as he grew up. The poet was inspired. And America was to be inspired by him as this new documentary, from Finestripe Productions, reveals. From Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Douglass, and Walt Whitman to Bob Dylan, some of the most significant figures in American politics and culture have cited Burns as an influence. During key moments in the nation’s history these figures brought Burns’ words to the fore. The Bard hit home too with America’s public, beginning with the ex-pats he reminded of home. Those ex-pats were followed to America by two other Scots who also spread the word of Burns. The industrialist Andrew Carnegie keenly spread the word of Burns across the country. The singer Jean Redpath spread Burns’ music within the folk revival in Greenwich Village in the 1960s. Burns became a “19th century Elvis” in the States, and his image was used to sell everything from cigars and tobacco to beer and fizzy pop. Today his impact upon America is further illustrated by memorials, not least in Atlanta, where a replica of Burns Cottage sits as home to the local Burns Club. Members of the club sing Burns’ most famous song, Auld Lang Syne, a bona fide piece of American culture, which Americans have identified with New Year’s Eve since Guy Lombardo began singing it on radio in the first part of the twentieth century. It has become even more iconic since Hollywood adopted it in films such as “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Robert Burns never visited the United States. But, whether in the north or south, east or west, its people have identified with the Bard and his works.

HM

THURSDAY 26 JANUARY TELEVISION & RADIO HIGHLIGHTS / BBC WEEK 4 ______

Air an Rathad/On the Road, Ep 4/8 Thursday 26 January BBC ALBA, 10.30 – 10.00pm

Donnie spends a day with the, ‘Boys in Blue’, and finds out what's involved to become a police driver. Linda, meanwhile, finds out all about Suzuki's latest small car, which sits alongside their other two small cars, the Swift and the Celerio. And the teams meet up at Benbecula Airport for the next challenge in Ralaidh na Trealaich. The Blue team seem much happier with their Volvo, than the Orange team with their Smart. The Orange team are still ahead on points though. Air an Rathad - it's all about cars.

GM/LG ______

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