Hebrides Today

News from the Western Isles

Summer shinty on BBC ALBA

Posted by Editor On February - 18 - 2009

BBC ALBA and the Camanachd Association have announced that five live shinty games will be televised over the summer months.

 

The package will cover key dates in the shinty calendar with a series of live broadcasts of cup finals taking place throughout June, July and August. 

 

Alan Esslemont, head of content for BBC ALBA, said: “I am delighted that BBC ALBA will be providing coverage of live shinty cup matches throughout the summer months. Summer is the best time to transmit live matches as many winter matches get cancelled due to poor weather conditions. This allows us to focus on providing a high quality package where shinty fans can tune in each week to enjoy exciting cup finals.

 

Donald Stewart, Director (Communications) for the Camanachd Association said: "I am also delighted that The Camanachd Association, the world governing body for shinty, is participating in bringing more live shinty to our increasing number of fans on BBC ALBA's new and innovative channel." 

 

BBC ALBA’s support for the sport will continue with two new shinty documentaries titled 'Lean gu Dlùth', being broadcast in the lead-up to the live season.

 

The programmes will follow Hugh Dan Maclennan, Scottish broadcaster and sporting academic, who will take us on his personal journey of shinty and examines the game, its history and looks to the future with well-known commentator John Willie Campbell, Skye star of contemporary Shinty Sorley MacDonald, Skye expert Donald Martin and Shinty stalwart Archie Fraser.

 

All matches will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA on Saturdays from 5.30pm – 7.30pm, dates to be confirmed. BBC ALBA is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110.