There is no doubt about the inextricable link between land and language in Scotland.

This link has been researched, discussed and celebrated in a brand new series of Tìr is Teanga starting this week on BBC Two Scotland.

The six-part series travels the Highlands and Islands taking in some of Scotland most breathtaking and awe-inspiring scenery. It will give viewers a flavour of the impact the Gaelic language has had on names and words that we know today.

Throughout the series, which also marks Highland 2007, presenter Colin MacLeod will be joined by local experts who offer their own interpretation of how the names of the mountains, pathways, lochs and glens were derived and the stories behind them.

To kick-off the series, Colin climbs Ben Nevis along with two climbers who have detailed knowledge of Britain’s highest mountain. Andy MacDonald takes a walk along the stunning but menacingly-named Devil’s Ridge and Morag Martin climbs the Ben through the Carn Mòr Dearg arête.

Also in this programme, Colin takes a walk out to Scotland’s third highest waterfall – An Steall Ban.

There is no doubt that viewers will be captivated by the amazing scenery around Glen Nevis, which is intertwined with information and explanations about the myriad of names in the area and the Gaelic impact on them.

Later on the series, Colin takes on the world-famous Cuillins with local experts; discussing the names on the islands of Arran, Jura and Mull; researching the effect of the Vikings on the names around the Moidart and Sunart region. The series comes to an end in Glen Etive with a walk up to mountains – Ben Starav and Ben Cruachan.

This third series of Tìr is Teanga has been funded by the Gaelic Media Service and produced by independent company Caledonia TV. It will be broadcast on BBC Two Scotland at 6.30pm starting on 3 May.

Donald Campbell, GMS Chief Executive firmly believes Tìr is Teanga has a power to draw people into Gaelic and learn about the relevance of language in today’s society.

He said: “In Scotland we have a precious culture, environment and landscape. However, at times we forget the link between these three things, or we can be ignorant that there is a story behind these names.

“Tìr is Teanga brings that connection to life for the viewers and goes in to depth to explain the origins of the names and words. This is an interesting and attractive series that we believe will help viewers gain a greater understanding of the impact has on our everyday lives in Scotland.”

Ends

For further information, please contact Alison Lang on 01851 705550. Images of the series are also available by contacting this number.

Further information about the series and the production company, visit www.caledonia.tv

Notes to Editors:

Gaelic Media Service (GMS) is a publicly funded body established by statute and regulated by Ofcom. GMS’s remit is to fund, commission or produce Gaelic language programmes for television, radio, on-line or new media and to engage in, or fund, the provision of training, development and audience research.

The key aim of GMS is to create a sustainable Gaelic Digital Service, comprising a television channel and other media for launch in 2007. GMS has reached agreement with the BBC that both parties will work in partnership to create a new service that is vibrant, comprehensive, cost-effective and contemporary.

GAELIC VERSION

Ann an Alba, chan eil teagamh mu cho dlùth is a tha an ceangal eadar cànan agus an dùthaich.

Thèid an ceangal seo a rannsachadh, a mhìneachadh agus a mholadh ann an sreath ur Tìr is Teanga a tha a’ tòiseachadh an t-seachdain sa air BBC2 Alba.

A’ siubhal air feadh na Gaidhealtachd is nan Eilean a’ gabhail a-staigh cuid dhe na seallaidhean as àlainn an Alba, bidh an sreath de sia phrògraman a’ toirt deagh bhlasad dhan luchd-amharc air a’ bhuaidh a bh’ aig cànan air na h-ainmean agus faclan air a bheil sin eòlach an-diugh.

Thairis air an t-sreath, a tha cuideachd a’ comharrachadh bliadhna shònraichte ‘A’ Ghaidhealtachd 2007’, bith Cailean MacLeòid a’ sreap ri eòlaichean ionadail is iad a’ toirt seachad nam beachdan aca fhèin air ciamar a chaidh na beanntan, slighean coiseachd, lochan agus gleanntan ainmeachadh.

A’ tòiseachadh an t-sreath, bidh Cailean a’ sreap Beinn Nibheis còmhla ri dithis a tha min-eòlach air a’ bheinn as àirde ann am Breatainn. Bidh Anndra Dòmhnallach a’ coiseachd thairis air mullach Druim an Deamhainn agus bidh Morag Mhàrtainn a’ sreap na beinn tro slighe Càrn Mòr Dearg.

Sa phrògram seo, bidh Cailean cuideachd a’ coiseachd a-mach gu An Steall Ban – an treasamh eas is àirde an Alba.

Chan eil teagamh gum bith an luchd-amharc air an glacadh ris na seallaidhean mìorbhailteach mu thimcheall Gleann Nibheis, is iad air am measgachadh ri mìneachadh air cò às a thàinig na h-ainmean agus a’ bhuaidh a bh’ aig a’ Ghàidhlig orra.

Sa chòrr den t-sreath bidh Cailean a’ sreap ri daoine a tha eòlach air a’ Cuiltheann, a’ beachdachadh air na h-ainmean ann an Àrainn, Diùra agus Muile, agus a’ toirt sùil air a’ bhuaidh Lochlannach air ainmean sgìre Mhuideart agus Suaineart. Thig an sreath gu crioch ann an Gleann Eite le dà bheinn – Beann Starabh agus Beann Cruachan.

Tha an treasamh sreath do Tìr is Teanga air a’ mhaoineachadh le Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig agus air an riochdachadh leis a’ chompanaidh neo-eisimeileich Caledonia TV. Thèid an sreath a chraoladh air BBC2 Alba aig 6.30f bho 3mh Chèitean.

Thuirt Dòmhnall Caimbeul, Àrd-oifigear GMS, gu bheil Tìr is Teanga a’ tàladh luchd-amhairc a-staigh dhan chànan agus ag ionnsachadh am buinteanas a th’ aig Gàidhlig as an latha an-diugh.

Thuirt e: “Ann an Alba tha cultur, àrainneachd is dùthaich phrìseil againn. Ach aig amannan tha sin a’ dìochuimhneachadh a’ cheangail a tha eadar na trì rudan, neo tha sin aineolach mu cò às a thàinig na h-ainmean.

“Tha Tìr is Teanga a’ toirt an ceangal seo beò airson an luchd-amhairc agus a’ dol ann an doimhneachd a’ mìneachadh ciamar a thàinig na h-ainmean gu bith agus de na stòiridhean a th’ air cùlaibh. Se sreath inntinneach agus tarraingeach a tha seo agus tha làn dùil agam gum bith daoine nas tuigseach mun bhuaidh a bh’ aig ar cànan air Alba.”

Crìoch                                                                                                                                                                                    

Airson barrachd fiosrachaidh, cuir fios gu Alison Lang air 01851 705550. Tha dealbhan dhen sreath cuideachd ri fhaighinn bhon àireamh fon seo. Gheibh sibh barachd fiosrachadh mun sreath aig: www.caledonia.tv

Fiosrachadh do luchd-deasachaidh:

Tha Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (GMS) air a stèidheachadh a-rèir an lagh, air a mhaoineachadh tron Riaghaltas agus air a riaghladh le Ofcom. ’S e obair GMS a bhith maoineachadh, coimiseanadh neo riochdachadh phrògraman Ghàidhlig airson telebhisean, rèidio, air-loidhne neo na meadhanan ùra, agus a bhith an-sàs ann an trèanadh, leasachadh agus rannsachadh luchd-amhairc.

’S e amas GMS Seirbheis Didseatach Ghàidhlig a chruthachadh, a’ toirt a-steach telebhisean agus meadhanan eile, a thèid air bhog ann an 2007. Tha GMS agus am BBC aontaichte gun obraich iad còmhla ann an co-bhanntachd gus seirbheis ùr a chruthachadh a bhios beothail, farsaing, cosg-èifeachdach agus stèidhichte anns an là an-diugh.