View source for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal

{{Short description|Scottish Gaelic-language radio station in Scotland}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = BBC Radio nan Gàidheal
| city = [[Stornoway]] and [[Inverness]]
| logo = [[File:BBC Radio nan Gàidheal 2022.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| logo_size = 
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2022
| area = [[Scotland]]{{efn|Scotland only on FM, DAB and [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], available via [[BBC Sounds]] and satellite/cable television for rest of the UK}}
| frequency = [[FM broadcasting|FM]]: 103.5–105 [[megahertz|MHz]]<br />[[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB]]<br />[[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]: 712 (Scotland only)<br />[[Freesat]]: 713 ([[BBC Alba|110]])<br />[[Sky UK|Sky]] (UK only): 0129 ([[BBC Alba|117]])<br />[[Virgin Media]]: 934 ([[BBC Alba|120]])
| rds = BBC GAEL
| branding = 
| languages = {{ubl|[[{{language|gd}}]]|[[English language|English]]}}
| format = News, music, sport, talk, entertainment
| subchannels = 
| affiliations = 
| owner = [[BBC]]
| licensing_authority = [[Ofcom]]
| licensee = 
| operator = BBC Radio nan Gàidheal
| sister_stations = [[BBC Radio Scotland]], <br>[[BBC Radio Shetland]],<br>[[BBC Radio Orkney]]
| airdate = {{start date and age|1985|10|01|df=y}}
| former_names = BBC Radio Nan Eilean,<br />BBC Air A'Ghaidhealtachd
| former_frequencies = 990 MW (until 23 November 2015)
| last_airdate = 
| facility_id = 
| class = 
| power = 
| erp = 
| haat = 
| coordinates = {{coord|58.9753|-3.0842|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| translators = 
| repeaters = 
| webcast = [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_nan_gaidheal BBC Sounds]
| website = {{URL|https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_nan_gaidheal|BBC Radio nan Gàidheal}}
| child = 
| embed_header = 
| embedded = 
}}
'''BBC Radio nan Gàidheal''' is a [[Scottish Gaelic]] language radio station owned and operated by [[BBC Scotland]], a division of the [[BBC]]. The station was launched in 1985 and broadcasts Gaelic-language programming with the simulcast of [[BBC Radio Scotland]]. Its headquarters is located on Seaforth Road, Stornoway along with BBC Alba and MG Alba.

The station is available from FM transmitters throughout [[Scotland]]: its service licence states that "BBC Radio nan Gàidheal should be available every day for general reception across Scotland on FM";<ref name="licence11">{{cite web |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/service_licences/radio/2011/radio_nan_gaidheal_apr11.pdf |title=BBC Radio nan Gaidheal Service Licence |publisher=BBC Trust |date=April 2011 |access-date=13 August 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305204336/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/service_licences/radio/2011/radio_nan_gaidheal_apr11.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> it can also be heard on digital television platforms, [[Digital Audio Broadcasting|DAB Digital Radio]], and online.

BBC Radio nan Gàidheal programmes are also broadcast (with an in-vision graphical overlay) on the Scottish Gaelic digital television channel [[BBC Alba]] during periods when the channel is not carrying television programmes.<ref name="about">{{Cite web |title=BBC ALBA - Mu Radio nan Gàidheal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radionangaidheal/about/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|BBC Home Service}}

Scottish Gaelic-language programming has been transmitted in Scotland since 1923, and the BBC's Gaelic-language department was established in 1935. Launching on 17 May 1976, BBC Radio Highland<ref>{{cite book |title=The History of BBC Broadcasting in Scotland 1923–1983 |last= McDowell |first=W.H. |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |year=1992 |page=257 |isbn=0-7486-0376-X}}</ref> produced a range of Gaelic programming – {{lang|gd|BBC Radio na Gaidhealtachd}} – and on 5 October 1979 the Scottish Gaelic service {{lang|gd|BBC Radio nan Eilean}} was established in [[Stornoway, Outer Hebrides|Stornoway]]. On 1 October 1985, these two separate services united to form {{lang|gd|Radio nan Gàidheal}}.<ref name="koch">Koch, John T. "Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia". ABC-CLIO Ltd, 2006. pp. 1265 – retrieved 22 August 2011</ref> The main base for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal is on Seaforth Road in Stornoway, having moved in June 2014 from the Church Street studios.

== Coverage ==
Radio nan Gàidheal broadcasts for over 90 hours every week,<ref name="about" /> and joins [[BBC Radio Scotland]]'s medium-wave feed when they close transmission.<ref name="gdprogram">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radionangaidheal/programmes/schedules |title=BBC Radio nan Gaidheal Programming |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-date=13 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013212144/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radionangaidheal/programmes/schedules |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since BBC Radio Scotland itself joins [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] when it signs off, the same applies to {{lang|gd|Radio nan Gàidheal}} as well during parts of Gàidheal's sign-off time. {{lang|gd|Radio nan Gàidheal}} now frequently broadcasts important Scottish football matches providing Gaelic commentary.

Radio nan Gàidheal shows are available for 30 days after most recent broadcast on the [[BBC Sounds]] app and on the BBC's website.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Radio nan Gàidheal - Listen Live - BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live/bbc_radio_nan_gaidheal |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714064013/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_nan_gaidheal |url-status=live }}</ref>

Podcasts of some shows are available from the BBC website and on iTunes for some time after transmission. These include two programmes aimed at learners of the language, entitled ''Letter to Gaelic Learners'' and ''The Little Letter'', the latter being a more basic version of the former.<ref name="podcast">{{Cite web |title=BBC Sounds - Podcasts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/podcasts |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> Both letters are also available at learngaelic.net, with transcripts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish Gaelic resources for intermediate learners (B1) - LearnGaelic |url=http://learngaelic.scot/usegaelic/index.jsp |website=learngaelic.scot |access-date=8 June 2021}}</ref>

== Funding ==
The service budget for 2009 was £3.9m with a change of any more than 10% requiring approval of the BBC Trust.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/service_licences/radio/2009/radio_nan_gaidheal_mar09.pdf |title=BBC Radio nan Gàidheal Service Licence |publisher=BBC Trust – Radio Nan Gaidheal |date=27 March 2009 |access-date=13 August 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305205242/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/service_licences/radio/2009/radio_nan_gaidheal_mar09.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The service budget in 2011 was almost the same as 2009 at £3.8m and requires the same controls as previous licences.<ref name="licence11" /> This funding comes from the [[BBC Trust]], the governing body of the BBC which is operationally independent of management and external bodies.<ref name="Charter">{{cite web
| url    = http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/charter_agreement/royalchartersealed_sept06.pdf
| title  = BBC Royal Charter
| author = [[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]] (on behalf of [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]])
| date   = 2006-09-19
| access-date = 2007-03-03
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070308013347/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/charter_agreement/royalchartersealed_sept06.pdf| archive-date= 8 March 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref> As is the same with all BBC Radio and TV stations, the channel is funded by the [[Television licence#United Kingdom|licence fees]] gathered.

==Programming==
===News and talk programmes===

====News====
The news ({{langx|gd|Naidheachdan}}) is broadcast in three-minute bulletins on the hour every hour between 8am and 4pm during the week and three times a day on the weekend.

Shows containing other local and national news include:
*''Aithris na Maidne'' – The main morning news and current affairs programme of Radio nan Gàidheal. Presented by Seumas Dòmhnallach and Dòmhnall Moireasdan from 7:30am - 9am. It covers a wide news agenda, encompassing national and international affairs, Highland and Island issues and issues pertaining specifically to the Gàidhealtachd.
*''Aithris an Fheasgair'' – Local and national news from 5pm - 5:30pm.

====Current affairs and Drivetime====
*''Naoi gu Deich'' – Daily topical programme with conversation, discussion, culture and lifestyle. Presented by Cathy MacDonald (Mon - Thur) and Kenneth Smith (Fri).
*''Feasgar'' – Lunchtime show including news, debate, music and entertainment, presented by Niall Iain MacDonald & Emma Lamont.
*''Siubhal gu Seachd le Pluto'' – [[Drive time]] show containing music, entertainment and the latest sports news with Derek 'Pluto' Murray.

===Music programmes===
*''A' Mire ri Mòir'' – Presented by Mòrag Dhòmhnallach (MacDonald). Traditional Gaelic music and general chat every weekday from BBC studio in Inverness.
*''Caithream Ciùil'' – Daily afternoon programme featuring Celtic music and interviews presented by Mairead MacLennan and Seonag Monk.
*''Fàilte air an Dùthaich'' (Welcome to the country) – Country music from the [[River Ness|Ness]] to Nashville presented in 10 week alternating blocks by Marie Matheson and Anne Sinclair.
*''Mac'illeMhìcheil'' – Weekly Gaelic and country music show presented by Iain Mac'illeMhìcheil (John Carmichael), with his guests from the Glasgow studio.
*''Na Dùrachdan'' – Music request show where listeners can request songs by telephone, internet and email. Presented from Inverness.
*''[[Rapal]]'' – show dedicated to new music including rock, pop and indie, currently presented by Megan MacLellan every Tuesday between 7pm - 9pm.
*''Mo Chuairt Chiùil –'' A look at the songs and music that has influenced this week's guest.

===Other programmes===

*''SpeakGaelic'' – Educational programme for Gaelic learners, presented by Joy Dunlop, John Urquhart and Calum MacLean.
*''Dèanamaid Adhradh'' – Weekly religious programme.
*''Spòrs na Seachdain'' (Week's Sport) – Weekly sports programme. It broadcasts local, national and international sporting news with John Morrison. It is presented from Pacific Quay in Glasgow. Guests often include  [[Derek Murray (sports presenter)|Derek Murray]], former ''[[Eòrpa]]'' reporter and [[spòrs]] commentator Derek Mackay and Ailig O'Henley.

== See also ==
* [[List of Celtic-language media]]
* [[RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta]] – An [[Irish language|Irish]] Gaelic station.
* [[BBC Alba]] – The BBC's Gaelic television channel.

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{bbc.co.uk|id=radionangaidheal|title=BBC Radio nan Gàidheal}}
* {{Facebook|radionangaidheal}}
* {{Twitter|BBCRnG}}

{{BBC Scotland}}
{{BBC Radio}}
{{Radio in Scotland}}
{{Scottish Gaelic linguistics}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom|radio}}
{{Freeview}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:BBC Radio nan Gàidheal}}
[[Category:1985 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:BBC regional radio stations]]
[[Category:BBC Scotland]]
[[Category:Indigenous radio]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1985]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Scottish Gaelic mass media]]
[[Category:Stornoway]]