Ealtainn - Siud an duine - Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair
Thursday 18th November 2004, 7.00pm, BBC2 Scotland
Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair. A poet and a soldier, an iconic figure, full of contradictions. "Siud an Duine", which is broadcast on BBC2 at 7pm on Thursday 18th November, explores his life and work.
The bard who wrote Moladh Moraig, Oran a' Gheamhraidh, and Oran a' Phrionnsa' people know him as one of the foremost Gaelic poets of his time, but his life was a mass of contradictions and strange twists and turns. How could a man with such strong views on the Gaelic language work for the SSPCK - the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, an avowedly anti-Gaelic organisation? Large pieces of his life are not recorded and this documentary does some serious detective work to try and uncover Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair's true character.
The programme is presented by John Morrison and takes us on a journey through the life of Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair - his early days, through to his joining the Jacobite Cause. The significant events in his life, which fed his poetry are illustrated in the programme by a group of young actors devising a play about his life - they explore the man, his motivations, his art - bringing him back to life.
The programme is co-produced by Mactv and Zebo Productions and funded by Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gaidhlig.
For more information/pictures please contact:
Peigi MacInnes
Tel: 01851 705638
E-mail: peigi@mactv.co.uk
