Castle to be venue for Hogmanay TV special
Stirling Castle is centre stage for BBC ALBA’s Hogmanay show on Saturday evening.
The channel welcomes in the New Year at the iconic attraction for Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire.
The TV audience can join hosts Cathy MacDonald and Tony Kearney to celebrate with the very best in traditional music in the magnificent setting of the Great Hall at the castle.
The house band is led by one of Scotland’s best loved singers, the multi award-winning Julie Fowlis. Accompanied by acclaimed musicians Éamon Doorley, Duncan Chisholm, Calum Stewart and Tony Byrne, they raise the roof with a succession of musical guests.
A cast of singers including the internationally renowned singer Fiona Kennedy, ‘one-woman ceilidh’ Rona Lightfoot and the celebrated Sineag MacIntyre will ensure that 2017 will receive a melodic welcome against a spectacular backdrop in the heart of Scotland.
The show starts at 11.30pm and BBC ALBA will also be televising part of the Stirling fireworks display so people can watch it at home.
People were yesterday (Wednesday) advised not to travel to the castle esplanade to view the fireworks but to watch the display “from wherever they are”– or of course from the comfort of their living room via BBC ALBA.
A Stirling Council spokesperson added: “BBC Alba have hired the castle from Historic Environment Scotland for the Hogmanay event that will be televised and therefore the general public does not have access to the esplanade unless they have bought tickets to the event in the castle. BBC Alba is managing the televised event and not Stirling Council, although we will be managing the fireworks display.”
BBC Alba will televise part of the fireworks display so people can also watch it at home. As well as being televised from 11.30pm on Hogmanay, the show will also be repeated on New Year’s Day 2017 at 4pm on the channel.