Gaelic language broadcasting given £1.8m to build on success of crime thriller

Gaelic language broadcasting will receive another £1.8 million to build on the success of BBC Alba’s crime thriller An t-Eilean.

The funding from the Scottish Government is contained in the 2025-26 Budget, which was passed by MSPs earlier this week.

It will raise the total funding for MG Alba to £14.8 million over the next year.

Research by Ernst and Young found Gaelic media generates £1.34 for every £1 invested while supporting 340 jobs, including 160 on island communities.

Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister and Gaelic Secretary, announced the funding during a World Gaelic Week visit to BBC studios in Glasgow, where she met Meredith Brook, who plays the character Sine Maclean in An t-Eilean (The Island).

The drama has attracted a record number of viewers since the first episode aired on BBC Alba and BBC iPlayer on January 14 and has already been sold to broadcasters in other European countries.

Ms Forbes, a Gaelic speaker, said: “An t-Eilean’s success demonstrates how supporting a thriving Gaelic broadcasting sector can bring international interest to Scotland.

“The programme marks a new era of Gaelic TV which could draw tourists into Scotland to support jobs and economic opportunities in the country’s island communities.

“This extra funding will enable Gaelic broadcasters to build on existing high-quality content and attract new audiences.

“To grow Gaelic, we are taking forward the Scottish Languages Bill to strengthen provision of Gaelic education and investing a total of £35.7 million in initiatives to promote the language in 2025-26.”

Ms Brook said: “The making of An t-Eilean has set an exciting precedent for the future of Gaelic drama on BBC Alba, telling engaging stories in the Gaelic language with a universal reach.

“As one of the Gaelic actors in this series, I’m proud to have played such a pivotal role in sharing the language I’m so proud of with the world.”