Peat and Diesel documentary wins international award

A BBC ALBA documentary about Hebridean folk-rock band Peat and Diesel has won a major award at a New York film festival.

Peat and Diesel: That’s The Way We Do It! received the prize for International Documentary Feature at the long-running Williamsburg International Film and Music Festival in Brooklyn, New York.

Produced by MacTV, the programme follows the Stornoway band as they gain momentum and fame ahead of the launch of their second album and a landmark gig at the legendary Glasgow venue, the Barrowland Ballroom.

Peat and Diesel, comprising fisherman Calum ‘Boydie’ Macleod, electrician Innes Scott and delivery van driver Uilleam ‘Uilly’ Macleod, have taken the Scottish music scene by storm, capturing the country’s imagination through their infectious music and unique tales of island life.

The documentary was a huge success on BBC ALBA when it aired in early April, as part of an evening of Peat and Diesel music and antics which drew one of the biggest audiences of the year.

BBC ALBA head of service Margaret Mary Murray, who was also executive producer of the programme, said: ‘We had a feeling this programme would be a hit with audiences and it certainly was.

‘We received a huge amount of appreciative feedback from the audience when we screened the double bill of this fabulously entertaining roller coaster road movie charting the rise of Peat and Diesel plus coverage of their sell-out gig in Glasgow. It was a memorable night on BBC ALBA.

‘We are delighted the talent of the island-based musicians

Popular Lewis trio Peat and Diesel have won international acclaim.

and filmmakers has been recognised on the international stage demonstrating the local does have global appeal.’

The programme’s producer/ director, RTS Scotland award-winner Daibhidh Martin, said: ‘Peat and Diesel are unique.

‘They are captivating and it’s been brilliant to be there with them as they become more and more successful.

‘They celebrate Gaelic and island culture, mixing sincere and relatable subjects with comedic imagery and stylings.

‘It was never difficult to film the band and capture something audiences would respond to.’