BBC Alba documentary "Alba fon Talamh" / "Scotland Underground".

[bagpuss]

This was shared by the CSCC mail out

'A lot of our members have attended the 'Mendip Migration' to the North West of Scotland at some time in the past.
Toby Speight has informed me that a new BBC Alba documentary has been produced,
"Alba fon Talamh" / "Scotland Underground".
Obviously it is being broadcast on the BBC Alba channel in Scotland, however it is available on the t'internet,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002w1fs/broadcasts/upcoming
https://www.tvguide.co.uk/schedule/f7c0fdb8-1193-5f48-812b-c0818daf4d34/alba-fon-talamh
It will in all likelihood be available on the BBC iPlayer too.

The first episode includes Toby Speight showing the presenter Calum
Maclean around some of the caves discovered in the Applecross region, in
the last ten years.

Mon 4 May at 21:00
Tue 5 May at 22:00 (repeat)

I would expect the other episodes to be shown at the same time in subsequent weeks (although Toby is not sure whether the Applecross content will all be in episode 1 - the producer did mention perhaps using some of it in 2 and/or 3).'

 

[Fulk]

it is available on the t'internet

the t'internet??? Obviously a Southerner.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

the t'internet??? Obviously a Southerner.

Yes, down south we have internet available online now (not just CDs on front of computer magazines). It's all cutting edge stuff here

 

[mikem]

Episode 2 seems to start at 9.45 on the following Monday

 

[mikem]

There's also a load of climbing shows on alba:

Dàna | Scotland's Wild Side - Series 3 | ALBA: 4. Sealtainn | Shetland

Coinneach Rankin ventures to Shetland with a friend to experience some of the most remote climbing in Britain.

www.bbc.co.uk

& Northern Ireland:

North Coast Riders - Series 1: 1. Edge of Summer

As tourists leave, Ethan hunts rare waves, Hanno dives deep, and Ricky climbs again. On the north coast, winter beckons – and the locals rise to meet it.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[mikem]

For t'Sasannach, the alba programmes have subtitles (actually required by most Scots as well)...

 

[mikem]

45 minutes, it's not just caves:

Alba fon Talamh/Scotland Underground - Series 1: Episode 1

Calum starts his underground tour in the north west of Scotland, exploring the incredible cave networks of Applecross.

www.bbc.co.uk

Next Monday Calum visits assynt:

BBC ALBA - Alba fon Talamh/Scotland Underground, Series 1, Episode 2

In the Highlands and Islands Calum explores the caves of Assynt, a Unesco global geopark.

www.bbc.co.uk

The only source I can find for content of episode 3:

New TV series digs into Scotland’s hidden underground history

A NEW TV series is to examine the landscapes, structures and stories that lie beneath Scotland’s surface.

www.thenational.scot

 

[mikem]

First 10 minutes is in Ashery Pot, and probably gives a better idea of what the experience is actually like than most TV programmes manage. Followed by the hydro tunnels of lochaber aluminium smelter (started WW1), then lochaline silica mine (WW2). From 31 mins Toby takes him to Liar's Sink (another 12 mins)

For next week the bone caves and the bear skull from Rana hole seem to feature, along with smoo.

 

[mikem]

Programme about Scottish wolves from 2023 features a couple of minutes at the assynt bone caves from 9 mins (available for another 28 days, the relevant section is mostly in English):

Am Madadh-Allaidh

The history of the Scottish wolf and its extinction - is it time for their return? Eachdraidh a’mhadaidh-allaidh an Alba, bho chian a bith. A’ bheil an t-am aige tilleadh?

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[mrodoc]

As i have posted elsewhere, having been into Ashery Pot, I am impressed the presenter got down there (I had a struggle getting out). The only issue I have is that they didn't show the formations in both caves to their best. This photo was taken in Liar's Sink for example.

 

[mikem]

Part 2 starts at inchnadamph, with the bone caves and a polar bear skull, then the Neolithic tomb of the eagles, a couple of earth-houses, and the oil tanks at scapa flow, all on Orkney. After 20 mins he visits sea caves near Wick that people lived in until 1914, then smoo at 26 mins, and finishes with a WW2 bunker in Inverness that was converted for the cold war and is now a museum:

Alba fon Talamh/Scotland Underground - Series 1: Episode 2

In the Highlands and Islands, Calum explores the caves of Assynt, a Unesco global geopark, before travelling north to Orkney where there is a wealth of archeological underground sites.

www.bbc.co.uk

Clip at end shows some more vertical caving next week, as well as the stuff mentioned in The National article.

 

[mikem]

Part 3 starts with Falkirk canal tunnel, then Blair Street vaults in Edinburgh (Burke and Hare feature), and the nearby gilmerton cove, next Glasgow's low level Central railway station and the Absent Ear bar, finishing with the paper caves in Argyll from 34 mins:

Alba fon Talamh/Scotland Underground - Series 1: Episode 3

Calum explores the underground sites of central Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[mikem]

His guide in last cave was the same chap who presented Dana climbing series (May 1st link)