Home   News   Article

WATCH: Nairn Community and Arts Centre set to end 2024 on the right note hosting BBC Alba Hogmanay live show





Rhona Macdonald, Nairn Community and Arts Centre manager is looking forward to the venue playing a central role in Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations. Picture: James Mackenzie
Rhona Macdonald, Nairn Community and Arts Centre manager is looking forward to the venue playing a central role in Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations. Picture: James Mackenzie

AFTER a challenging year a Nairn charity is ending 2024 on a positive note and getting set to start the new year “stronger than ever”.

Nairn Community and Arts Centre will take centre stage tonight as the host location for BBC Alba’s Hogmanay party - the only live broadcast show in Scotland to accompany the nation to the bells.

It was only this summer when the board of trustees had to make an urgent appeal to the Nairn Common Good Fund and raised concerns about the survival of the venue.

For centre manager Rhona MacDonald this is a hugely important moment.

“We're so excited to have the Hogmanay party here,” she said.

“This is the Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire, our new year’s party, and it's BBC ALBA that's coming up to film it - and how exciting to take in the bells in Nairn!

“I think it's just going to be a fantastic end to what has been a difficult year for the centre.

“But it just ends up perfectly: we are stronger than ever and we're really looking forward to starting 2025 on such a positive note.”

Mànran will be headliners for the night.
Mànran will be headliners for the night.

In the hall itself an audience of around 180 will be treated to a night of music and entertainment, with one of Scotland’s best folk bands, Manran, as headliners.

However the show being broadcast on BBC Alba as well as Radio nan Gàidheal means anyone across the world can tune in.

NAIRN VOICES: Striving to keep ‘heart of community’ beating strong

Ms MacDonald said: ““That's going to be really exciting, knowing that we're the only live broadcast of a Hogmanay party in Scotland and for that to happen here. We're really pleased.

“I think the atmosphere is just going to be very special.

“There will be amazing bands and presenters, so it's really going to be a great way to finish off the year.”

Since raising the alarm over the centre earlier this year a new financial plan has been drawn up for the centre and two important grants have been received.

Funding from the Nairn-based Davidson Trust has enabled an upgrade to the centre’s sound system while an allocation from Creative Scotland will also see the centre grow the art side of its offering, with a different exhibition lined up for each month in 2025.

“We're also renovating one of the rooms which is going to be turned into a creative hub,” Ms MacDonald said.

“Normally, because we're busy all year round, the Christmas and Hogmanay period is a bit quieter.

“But this year it's going to be very busy all the way into January and for the whole of 2025.

“I think we're just going to hopefully go from strength to strength.”

The show will be hosted by Niall Iain Macdonald and Cathy MacDonald.
The show will be hosted by Niall Iain Macdonald and Cathy MacDonald.

For the Hogmanay show Manran will be accompanied by the MacMillan family, Gaelic singers from the Isle of Lewis representing three generations of one family whose youngest member, Alice, won the women’s gold medal for Gaelic song at this year’s Royal National Mòd.

Executive producer Iain Macleod said: “BBC ALBA’s biggest event of the year is back with an incredible line-up of Scottish traditional musicians and local talent to count us down to 2025. We will be bringing viewers live performances from all of the night’s acts, and of course, Hogmanay craic from our hosts, Cathy MacDonald and Niall Iain Macdonald.

“As keen supporters of Gaelic song and traditional music, BBC ALBA can’t wait to showcase emerging talent like Alice MacMillan, the acclaimed South Uist singer Mairi MacMillan and established stars like the fantastic Mànran in an upbeat evening of celebrations for audiences across the country this Hogmanay.”

Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire will be available live on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer and on a worldwide stream tonight from 11.30pm.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More