Synopsis

. . . the love, the conflict and the struggle for independence.

Battles and Ballads of Scotland written and performed on location by Alastair McDonald.

With the following songs:
Jamie Foyers / Twa Recruitin’ Sergeants, The Bruce at Bannockburn, Bonnie Earl o’ Moray, Harlaw, The Highland Seer, Lock the Door Lariston, Haughs o’ Cromdale, Killiecrankie, My Bonnie Mary (Pint o’ Wine), Blue Bonnets, Flodden / Floo’rs o’ the Forest, Banks of Ettrick Water, Culloden’s Harvest, Fyvie’ O, Sheep & Stag Remain.

Also featuring the classic Films of Scotland documentary from 1959, sponsored by Drambuie, A Song for Prince Charlie. The story of his flight after the Battle of Culloden told in song.

Synopsis

. . . a journey in Scottish song.

Peter Morrison tours Scotland including visits to stately homes Dalmeny House and Traquair House in two colourful, scenic journeys.

With the following songs:
Music of Scotland: Scotland the Brave, Loch Lomond, Glasgow Medley, The Bonnie Earl o' Moray, The Sound of Iona, Oh Gin I Were a Baron's Heir, The Piper o' Dundee, My Love is Like a Red Red Rose, The Saturday Dance, Dark Lochnagar, The Royal Mile, Will ye no' Come Back Again.

Land of the Eagle: Land of the Eagle, Mary Morison, Crinan Canal, Roses for Prince Charlie, A Hundred Pipers, Culloden, The Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre, Bonnie Wells O` Wearie, Marching Medley, Ae Fond Kiss, Neil Gow's Farewell to Whisky, Caledonia.

Synopsis

Thomas Fraser, Shetland fisherman and closet country music star, fell in love with country music listening to US Forces radio in World War 2. When electricity came to his island of Burra in 1953 he bought himself a tape recorder and recorded hundreds of songs. When he died in 1978 he was unknown outside Shetland. Thirty years later a clutch of posthumously released CD’s have lead to him being acclaimed as ‘the most important figure in British country music.’

He's just had his fourth CD released and he's been honoured in Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame. No mean achievement for a man who never even played live in Shetland's capital Lerwick.

In this beautifully filmed and evocatve documentary for BBC Scotland his friends, family and admirers tell his unlikely story.

DVD Features:
Shetland Lone Star Documentary (30 mins)
Thomas Fraser Memorial Concert (75 mins)
Acoustic Extras and Archive Film Footage (19.30 mins)
Unreleased Duets with daughter May
Complete Discography

Synopsis

The Shetland Folk Festival - Where Nobody Sleeps

This film by Hopscotch Films for BBC Scotland captures the unique charm of Britain's most northerly music festival, featuring musicians from as far afield as India, America and Slovenia as they descend on Shetland for a long weekend of musical mayhem.

"No Sleep 'Til Yell" features impromptu sessions on ferries, crowded staircases, in living rooms, gardens and onboard a bus.

As Seth Travins from Brooklyn's The Wiyos says:' There's so many diverse groups. It's not just Celtic music, Americana or Swing. The variety of all the groups really is inspiring.

Programme includes:
30 minutes documentary.
90 minutes concert film containing footage of live performances from all across the islands.

Synopsis

With its roots in religious festivals and ancient rituals to lure the sun back as it fell lower and lower in the winter sky, Hogmanay is a uniquely Scottish New Year festival known throughout the world.

Jimmy Reid, with the help of folk maestros the Whistlebinkies, Robin Hall, Jack House and Archie Roy, delves into the origins of the traditions as they are practised in different parts of Scotland.

The first foot, the clootie dumpling, the Fireballs of Stonehaven, the torches of Comrie, and the bonfire at Biggar are all seen, as is Up-Helly-Aa, Shetland's festival of Vikings and Guizers.

Synopsis

Featuring St Mary's Cathedral, its friends, and its tranquil surroundings in a heartening feast of music for Christmas. With Matthew Owens, organ, Susan Hamilton, soprano, The Holyrood Clarsach Trio, and readings by Alexander McCall Smith.

Programme includes: Once in Royal David's City; In the bleak mid-winter; Adam lay ybounden; Of the Father's heart begotten; Nativity carol; Ding dong! merrily on high; Noel nouvelet; It came upon a midnight clear; The holy boy; Away in a manger; O little town of Bethlehem; Still the night; Shepherd's pipe carol; Balulalow; Maria Wiegenlied; Angelus ad virginem; O come all ye faithful; Hark! the herald angels sing.