Supporting Gaelic dramas.
Gaelic language broadcasting is to receive an additional £1.8
million to help build on the success of BBC Alba's crime thriller
An t-Eilean.
The increase is contained in the Scottish Government's 2025/26
Budget and raises total funding for MG ALBA (the Gaelic Media
Service) to £14.8 million in the upcoming financial year.
Independent research has found that Gaelic media generates £1.34
for every £1 invested and supports 340 jobs across Scotland,
including 160 jobs in the islands.
Deputy First Minister and Gaelic Secretary announced the new funding on a
World Gaelic Week visit to BBC studios in Glasgow, where she met
Meredith Brook, who plays the character Sìne Maclean in An
t-Eilean (The Island).
The drama has attracted a record number of viewers since the
first episode aired on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer on 14 January and
has already been sold to broadcasters in other European
countries.
Ms Forbes said:
“An t-Eilean's success demonstrates how supporting a thriving
Gaelic broadcasting sector can bring international interest to
Scotland.
“The programme marks a new era of Gaelic TV which could draw
tourists into Scotland to support jobs and economic opportunities
in the country's island communities.
“This extra funding will enable Gaelic broadcasters to build on
existing high-quality content and attract new audiences. To grow
Gaelic, we are taking forward the Scottish Languages Bill to
strengthen provision of Gaelic education and investing a total of
£35.7 million in initiatives to promote the language in 2025-26.”
Meredith Brook said:
“The making of An t-Eilean has set an exciting precedent for the
future of Gaelic drama on BBC ALBA, telling engaging stories in
the Gaelic language with a universal reach.
“As one of the Gaelic actors in this series, I'm proud to have
played such a pivotal role in sharing the language I'm so proud
of with the world."
Background
Pictures from Ms
Forbes' visit to BBC studios are available online.
Research from Ernst
and Young on the economic impact of MG ALBA (the Gaelic Media
Service) is available online.
