Fort William to Mallaig - documentary BBC 21:00 on 31.12.20

[whole diary]

[grahame]

The Fort William to Mallaig line was one of the final lines built at the end of the railway building era and used many techniques / materials such as concrete which were innovative at the time.  It runs through spectacular scenery with regular Scotrail trains and also - seasonally - the Hogwarts Express.

From the National

MORE than 100 previously unpublished photos taken during the construction of one of the world?s most spectacular railway lines are at the heart of a BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) ALBA documentary that airs tomorrow night.

The collection of high-res celluloid nitrate plates, charting the creation of the line between Fort William and Mallaig were unearthed in a sale in Cornwall last year.

Ingrid Henderson, a Mallaig-born musician, raised in Fort William and who now lives and works in Glenfinnan, follows the story of the photographs, what they reveal about the people and their lives in Lochaber, and attempts to discover the artist behind the lens.

That's 21:00 on 31st December - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qrjs

[rogerw]

Members proposing to watch this should bear in mind that Alba is a Scottish Gaelic channel, although the pictures probably speak for themselves

[grahame]

Members proposing to watch this should bear in mind that Alba is a Scottish Gaelic channel, although the pictures probably speak for themselves

May be subtitled, bearing in mind the title is - "Ceol na Loidhne/Song of the Track" and so is the previous program. I am spending Hogmany drinking a dark black brew from Ireland, and watching men in plaid skirts playing music through a sheepskin bag somewhere is Scotland. I have just backed up a major website from Wales. I look forward to visiting the places these thing come from in 2021.

[bobm]

The preview clips were subtitled.

[JayMac]

and watching men in plaid skirts playing music through a sheepskin bag somewhere is Scotland.

Bagpipes. Urgghhh. Can't stand the sound of them. And I'm half Scot. Inherited English hearing obviously!

"I understand that the inventor of the bagpipes was inspired when he saw a man carrying an indignant, astatic pig under his arm. Unfortunately, the man-made sound never equaled the purity of sound achieved by the pig." - Alfred Hitchcock

[PhilWakely]

I could happily listen to the harp being played over and over again, but bagpipes, nay!

[grahame]

I could happily listen to the harp being played over and over again, but bagpipes, nay!

Then you missed at treat - an hour's mixture of pictures old and new, interviews in English and Gaelic, and the harp being played by the presenter.  Not a bagpipe insight.   The Gaelic interviews and general commentary were easy enough to follow through subtitles, the English ones far less so because Lisa was watching "The Last Leg" on the main TV and we were both enjoying that too.   

It's available on replay, and I will be watching again.  Partly because it's a good program.  And also because of a love I have for places shown, and a fondness for the people I was teaching PHP to just across on the Isle of Skye, who took me to a harp recital raising money for the cat's protection league one lunchtime.

[PhilWakely]

I could happily listen to the harp being played over and over again, but bagpipes, nay!

Then you missed at treat - an hour's mixture of pictures old and new, interviews in English and Gaelic, and the harp being played by the presenter.  Not a bagpipe insight.   The Gaelic interviews and general commentary were easy enough to follow through subtitles, the English ones far less so because Lisa was watching "The Last Leg" on the main TV and we were both enjoying that too.   

It's available on replay, and I will be watching again.  Partly because it's a good program.  And also because of a love I have for places shown, and a fondness for the people I was teaching PHP to just across on the Isle of Skye, who took me to a harp recital raising money for the cat's protection league one lunchtime.

I did actually watch it - and as you say, an absolute treat.

[MVR S&T]

I could happily listen to the harp being played over and over again, but bagpipes, nay!

Look up the harp twins on You Tube....

[bobm]

Members proposing to watch this should bear in mind that Alba is a Scottish Gaelic channel, although the pictures probably speak for themselves

There are English subtitles if you want them.

[rogerw]

Recorded so I will probably watch it today

[Oxonhutch]

What a pleasant way to start my New Year - an hour well spent. Wonderful pictures and music: I enjoyed her interpretation, and the cadence was spot - a couple of short rails and a soupcon of point work. I loved the Gaelic too; upfront it is a bit harsh but there is a lilting softness in the background.

For those that enjoy music inspired by trains, I grew up with this one, here performed by the NCO. A very nice and measured performance of Villa-Loboz's 'Little Train on the Caipira' from his Bachianas Brasileiras No. 2. I recommend it to you if you have five minutes to spare.

Dvorak was a railway enthusiast as well, but I don't know of any train inspired piece from his oeuvre, unless there are others on the forum that can advise otherwise. Happy New Year all.

[bobm]

Agreed Oxonhutch - just finished watching it this morning, as the snow falls outside.

Also gives me an excuse to post one of my favourite photos in my collection!

[Robin Summerhill]

Dvorak was a railway enthusiast as well, but I don't know of any train inspired piece from his oeuvre, unless there are others on the forum that can advise otherwise. Happy New Year all.

Ahh Dvorak. A Czech who wrote his New World Symphony after going to America, a piece of music that in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) will forever conjure up images of Yorkshire accents, brown bread and Gold Hill in Shaftesbury...

[Western Pathfinder]

Can't help but think of the late Tony Capstick.