Para Shandaidh, Sàr Mharaiche (Para Handy, Master Mariner)
Thursday 29 December, BBC2 Scotland, 7.15pm
Celebrating the centenary of one of Scotland’s best-loved literary creations, this one-off Gaelic documentary pays homage to comedy classic, Para Handy.
The exploits of The Vital Spark’s crew first came to public prominence in 1905 when they appeared on the pages of the Glasgow Evening News. One hundred years later and the puffer boat’s famous crew - skipper Captain Peter MacFarlane (aka Para Handy), engineer Dan MacPhail, Dougie the Mate, and The Tar (later replaced by his cousin Sunny Jim) – continue to captivate generations of fans with their hilarious antics.
Ironically, as this documentary highlights, although Para Handy continues to be the most enduringly popular of all Neil Munro’s writings, the author himself dismissed the stories as having little merit. He published all his humorous tales under the pseudonym Hugh Foulis, preferring to reserve his own name for his serious historical novels – works like “John Splendid” and “The New Road”.
Furthermore, although Glasgow launched the Para Handy tales, their origins were not in the hustle and bustle of the city but the tranquillity of Inveraray, Loch Fyne. It was there that Munro found inspiration from the laid-back, close-knit Highland community where colourful characters were plentiful. Indeed, Munro’s trusted friend, Inveraray plumber and master piper, Charlie Maitland is said to have been a major source of the witticisms that characterise the Para Handy tales.
As well as reliving key stories and clips from Para Handy’s archives, Para Shandaidh, Sàr Mharaiche also re-enacts some of the best-loved tales featuring acclaimed Gaelic actors David Walker, Iain McRae and Gilleasbuig Ferguson, while Glasgow comedian Andy Cameron takes on the role of engineer McPhail.
Narrated by Para Handy himself, the programme brings together Gaelic and English and features contributions from people close to Munro, including Elsie Freer (Charlie Maitland’s grand-niece) and retired journalist Angus Shaw, who worked for Munro on the Glasgow Evening News 80 years ago; Neil Munro experts, including the Chair and Archivist of the Neil Munro Society; life-long Para Handy fans, a Church of Scotland minister, an eminent Edinburgh lawyer; Inveraray resident and Gaelic singer Ethel MacCallum, and Dr Anne Lorne Gillies, who also wrote and produced Para Shandaidh, Sàr Mharaiche.
Produced by Brigh TV Ltd and funded by Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gaidhlig.
For further information:
Brigh TV
Tel: 01560 484500
