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Nairn was ‘terrific host venue’ as BBC Alba Hogmanay party gets ‘great response from audiences around the world’





Megan Henderson, fiddle player and stepdancer with the house band (ALBA Cèilidh Band) for the show. Picture: Alexander Williamson
Megan Henderson, fiddle player and stepdancer with the house band (ALBA Cèilidh Band) for the show. Picture: Alexander Williamson

BBC Alba’s executive producer is delighted the channel’s biggest event of the year got a great response from audiences around the world.

Nairn Community and Arts Centre hosted the stations televised Hogmanay party last night.

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Ewen Henderson, fiddle player, piper and singer with Mànran. Picture: Alexander Williamson
Ewen Henderson, fiddle player, piper and singer with Mànran. Picture: Alexander Williamson
Gary Innes (accordionist with the band Mànran) with Mànran singer Kim Carnie. Picture: Alexander Williamson
Gary Innes (accordionist with the band Mànran) with Mànran singer Kim Carnie. Picture: Alexander Williamson

Iain Macleod, executive producer at BBC Alba, said: “Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire was a great way to see us into the new year. We had traditional music royalty to start the party and plenty of Hogmanay craic from our presenters Cathy and Niall Iain.

“BBC Alba’s biggest event of the year got a great response from audiences around the world. A good deal of the success is due to our dedicated [outside broadcasting] crew but credit must also go to the manager and staff of Nairn Community and Arts Centre - a terrific host venue.”

Mairi MacMillan, singer. Picture: Alexander Williamson
Mairi MacMillan, singer. Picture: Alexander Williamson

An audience of around 180 people wer treated to a night of music and entertainment, with one of Scotland’s best folk bands, Mànran, as headliners.

Presenter Niall Iain MacDonald said: “This was the first time that BBC Alba and Ceilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire visited Nairn and the town did us proud. Despite the weather, the audience came from all over the Highlands and joined us from all around the world, taking part online, to welcome in the New Year. This is a cèilidh, a party that brings the community together, and it’s a privilege to be part of that.”

BBC ALBA Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire presenters Niall Iain MacDonald and Cathy MacDonald. Picture: Alexander Williamson
BBC ALBA Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire presenters Niall Iain MacDonald and Cathy MacDonald. Picture: Alexander Williamson

Co-host Cathy MacDonald said: “It’s always an honour to host Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire with Niall Iain and this year was no different. It’s the biggest party of the year, with some of the best musicians and singers around. And, of course, the wonderful Ingrid Henderson was with us again this year as musical director.

“We were thrilled to have three generations of a musical family from Lewis - Seonaidh Beag MacMillan of The Lochies fame, his son Calum Ailig and granddaughter Alice, who won the Gold medal at the Oban Mòd back in October.”


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