As 2023 attracts to a detailed BBC Scotland has a stocking filled with festive goodies throughout tv and radio to entertain audiences over the vacations. A conventional mixture of heart-warming and uplifting tales, laughs, festive heat and musical treats will likely be served up alongside alternatives for reflection, making BBC Scotland the proper Christmas companion and the place to get pleasure from all of the festive ‘feels’.

Louise Thornton, head of commissioning for BBC Scotland mentioned: “We’ve pulled together a selection box of programmes for audiences to enjoy over the festive holidays whatever their mood. As friends and families get together we hope to keep them company with a line-up across television and radio featuring some of the best talent Scotland has to offer.”

Comedy

There’s some comedy glitter sprinkled throughout the schedules this festive season bringing some a lot wanted laughs as we head in the direction of the top of the yr. Scotland Stands Up, a 1×30 ‘Live at the Apollo’ model present sees farmer and comic Jim Smith host an thrilling line up of Scots comedians on the comedy circuit. Featuring Susie McCabe, Jamie MacDonald, Stuart MacPherson and Marjolein Robertson the present was recorded at Church Hill Theatre, Edinburgh.

There are extra laughs served up from Susie McCabe as she brings her sensational present Femme Fatality to a sold-out King’s Theatre in Glasgow. From rising up homosexual within the eighties and nineties, to engaged on constructing websites and turning into a profitable stand-up comedian, Susie McCabe’s life is jam-packed with wealthy materials and the gifted performer delivers a barnstorming night of razor-sharp punchlines and observational comedy. Scotland’s social media comedy sensation Paul Black takes a visit down reminiscence lane along with his really feel good arise particular Paul Black: Nostalgia. Filmed on the Music Hall in Aberdeen as a part of his UK tour, Paul examines the standard bar of Neds nowadays and showcases a childhood picture that he reckons solved one of many nice divides in our nation.

The award-winning Breaking the News crew takes a wander by means of 2023 with Breaking the Year. Host Des Clarke is joined by particular friends Ashley Storrie, Sanjeev Kholi, Kirsty Wark & Mark Nelson to take a wry look again on the greatest tales of 2023 at house and all over the world.

Music

Music will function closely within the schedules this yr as we delve within the BBC Scotland archives with a a particular compilation collection to rejoice 30 years of T within the Park which started in1994 and grew to change into one of many UK’s most liked music festivals by revellers and artistes alike. Edith Bowman revisits stellar performances from a whole bunch of artists from all over the world who took to the stage, braved the climate and skilled the legendary Scottish crowds and sing-a-longs.

Roddy Hart presents Christmas on the Quay and welcomes Texas for a festive present liberally sprinkled with hits and seasonal vibes. Joining the enjoyable earlier than a stay viewers at Pacific Quay will likely be Nati, a singer-songwriter who has constructed an enormous on-line following of shut to 2 million followers for her livestreamed performances. Terra Kin, winner of the BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year 2023 who blends jazz, ambient and people sounds with a soulful vocal completes the glowing line-up.

Get the Tunes On gives the final word get together playlist for the build-up to the bells. Featuring massive hits, wee gems, dance bangers, conventional tracks and archive treasures this important number of class acts for Hogmanay will embody contributions from a spread of well-known faces. Combining music and comedy this blended tape will get the get together began.

Entertainment

Twenty years on from her triumphant Pop Idol win, Scottish singing sensation Michelle McManus displays on her unimaginable rollercoaster profession, revisiting iconic TV expertise moments when Scots stars captured the hearts of the nation. In Michelle McManus: After All This Time (wt) this particular documentary tells the story of how Baillieston barmaid Michelle turned a record-breaking Scots chart-topper along with her No.1 smash, All This Time. Michelle additionally meets world famous person – and former X Factor choose – Robbie Williams, TV presenter pal Kate Thornton and Scots singing sensation Susan Boyle who give their insights into the TV expertise present phenomenon. As properly as these key music trade movers and shakers, Michelle spends time along with her dad and mom, John and Helen who replicate on their daughter’s enduring success. The programme additionally checks in with Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice winners, Jai McDowell and Stevie McCrorie, in addition to The X Factor’s Shereen Cutkelvin and Nicholas McDonald to search out out the place they’re now following their fling with fame.

A heart-warming highlight is turned once more on the selfless actions of a few of Scotland’s unsung heroes with Jackie Bird returning to BBC One Scotland with Scotland’s People 2023: A Thank You. Jackie travels the nation to hunt out, recognise and thank those that have gone the additional mile to selflessly assist others inside their communities. With tributes from the likes of Chris Packham, Gregor Townsend and Scottish Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg, Jackie uncovers inspiring tales of on a regular basis heroism bringing festive cheer – to not point out just a few tears – to a bunch of deserving people and communities.

A jolly Christmas is way from assured in River City because the Shieldinch residents unwrap secrets and techniques and lies resulting in a dramatic – an unmissable – New Year’s showdown between Lenny (Frank Gallagher), Lydia (Jacqueline Leonard) and Andrew (Greg Powrie).

We welcome model new choose Danny Campbell as he joins Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale within the search of a Christmas cracker of a house in Scotland’s Christmas Home of the Year. Across the nation, our judges will likely be having fun with the embellished doorways, tinselled bushes and festooned fireplaces earlier than gifting the title to at least one winter fantastic winner. The judges will nonetheless be in search of architectural advantage and classy inside design however they’ll even be marking the 5 finalists on festive aptitude and Christmas spirit within the one-off particular of the favored collection.

Shepherding within the festive season is The Big Scottish Christmas Book Club with host Damian Barr that includes and discussing a stunning choice field of tales with some very notable ‘crackers’. Damian is joined by bestselling creator Jenny Colgan to debate her model new festive novel, Midnight at The Christmas Bookshop, star of Outlander collection Graham McTavish, reveals his favorite fiction and creator of The Beetle Boy collection, MG Leonard shares her newest novel – a recent fairytale for Christmas, The Ice Children. The Primary pupils of Mallaig charge the Raymond Briggs classics The Snowman and Father Christmas and the senior pupils advocate their favorite reads as potential items for teenagers.

Religion

Reflection all the time performs a giant half in BBC Scotland’s festive schedules and because the world continues to really feel as unsure as ever, there would be the alternative to replicate with a wide range of programmes throughout tv and radio.

Over 100 college students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland are partnering with BBC Scotland and performing the music for Christmas Celebration, introduced by Sally Magnusson on Christmas Eve, and Reflections on the Quay on Christmas morning. The music for each programmes was recorded at Sherbrooke Mosspark Parish Church in Pollokshields, Glasgow, the place the congregational carols have been accompanied by ten RCS brass gamers. There can even be Christmas songs from the Senior Chamber Choir, and from the 55 sturdy Junior Conservatoire Choir accompanied by a strings and wind orchestra. Also showing in each programmes will likely be Scottish people singer Emily Smith, an RCS graduate, with Jamie McClennan and Aaron Jones.

Reflections on the Quay is introduced by Rev Ali Pandian, chaplain at Rachel House Children’s Hospice, Rev Aaron Moffat Jackman, St Peter’s, Musselburgh, Fiona Stewart, arts author and performer, and Dr Suzanne Bunniss, social science researcher and founding father of Scottish Charity FireCloud.

Hogmanay

The countdown to the bells sees Amy Irons host Not Quite The End of Year Show with a mixture of chat and music on the BBC Scotland channel. Special friends will be a part of Amy to have a look again at Scotland’s highlights of the yr from the worlds of music, movie, TV and Sport.

Strap in for Queen of the New Year, the Hogmanay sketch present on BBC One Scotland written by and starring Greg Hemphill and Robert Florence alongside a wealth of Scottish comedian expertise together with Louise McCarthy; Gayle Telfer Stevens; Martin McQuinn; Paul McCole; Zara Janjua; Barbara Rafferty and Elizabeth Caproni. The celebratory sketch present takes on the speaking factors from 2023 – making us smile, wince and reminisce as we pace in the direction of the bells. From smoking bans to local weather activism through true crime podcasts, King Charles, Sam Smith and Traitors, and with a wholesome dose of Hogmanay celebrations alongside the way in which, Queen of the New Year is right here to poke enjoyable on the information and gossip of the final twelve months.

Edith Bowman leads the cost into 2024 with Hogmanay 2023 with a bunch of particular friends becoming a member of her to usher in the brand new yr. The iconic firing of the gun from the Edinburgh Castle ramparts, and town’s superb firework show soundtracked by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will function in addition to music from Skerryvore, the band born out of the Scottish islands who’ve change into a worldwide phenomenon and the contemporary however traditionally-infused sounds of the Kinnaris Quintet, influenced by Scottish and Irish people music. Shereen Cutkelvin additionally provides a poignant efficiency of Auld Lang Syne.

BBC ALBA

Over on BBC ALBA December kicks off with a line-up of musical extravaganzas together with stay protection of Na Trads, the place Scottish conventional music’s best declare coveted awards and supply a toe-tapping deal with for all. On Christmas Day be a part of ninety-year-old retired RAF pilot Bill Innes as he goals to stay a childhood dream and soar to the skies in a Spitfire in Bill agus an Spitfire and uncover the delectable journey of baking sensation Coinneach MacLeod in a behind-the-scenes take a look at his life as The Hebridean Baker. Boxing Day unwraps the extraordinary life and profession of sports activities commentary legend Hugh Dan MacLennan and there is enjoyable for all of the household with the Puffin Rock the Movie.

As 2024 beckons, the get together continues with Iain Spanish Mackay uncovering the enchantment of Scotland’s Festivals, welly boots and all, in Scotland’s Festivals and Cathy MacDonald and Niall Iain Macdonald welcome the New Year stay with a bunch of mates and loads of dancing at this yr’s Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire celebrations.

The revelry extends into the brand new yr, and an unique backstage move to Peat & Diesel’s meteoric rise is granted on the first and 2nd of January.

BBC Radio Scotland

BBC Radio Scotland has a festive mixture of music and chat to maintain listeners firm over the vacations.

In the acclaimed Billy Sloan meets….collection, Billy is joined by the driving pressure behind The Who, guitarist and songwriter Pete Townshend on the fiftieth anniversary reissue of the band’s basic album “Who’s Next”. The album began because the comply with as much as the band’s rock opera Tommy, however as Pete explains this “Lifehouse” idea album faltered for a lot of causes, with some tracks penned for that turning up on “Who’s Next”. He talks about his 50 years in The Who, enjoying Scotland within the early days, his ideas now of his former band mates Keith Moon and John Entwistle and his rocky relationship with singer Roger Daltrey, and the way his costly obsession with crusing means he’s not giving the band up any time quickly.

Life Tracks returns for a brand new collection over the festive interval with a bunch of latest Scottish celebrities selecting the music that has helped their lives. In every programme, the celeb shares a variety of musical influences with the viewers – from the songs and artists that encourage to key albums, memorable gigs and responsible pleasures. The opening episode options actor, Greg McHugh, who wrote and starred in Gary: Tank Commander, and has had roles in different tv collection together with Fresh Meat, The A Word and Guilt. Actor and comic, Elaine C. Smith, who’s presently in Two Doors Down takes a spin by means of the sounds that matter to her most whereas Jack Docherty, whose credit embody Scot Squad completes the collection line-up.

Breaking the News: The Best of Unbroadcast options all of the hilarious beforehand unbroadcast materials from this yr’s award profitable collection. Hosted by Des Clarke, it’s an opportunity to get the complete stay recording expertise, because the crew presents the best quips, songs and epic tales that for varied causes by no means made the minimize first time round

Grant Stott’s Christmas Collective is a Christmas Eve cracker. Grant chooses 4 fabulous years in British pop historical past and selects the cream of the crop from their Christmas Top Tens. Packed filled with festive favourites and Christmas bangers with some favorite seasonal songs; from Bing Crosby to the Bee Gees, Madonna to Mariah Carey, Wizard to Wings and far more.

Get final minute gift-wrapping achieved on Christmas Eve with a Christmas Classics soundtrack. Join presenter and tenor Jamie MacDougall and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for this ever-popular Christmas Classics live performance. The BBC SSO invitations you to a night of Christmas orchestral magic. Enjoy immediately recognisable melodies of Yuletide carols and festive songs, all wrapped up within the luxurious sound of a stay orchestra with conductor Roderick Dunk.

Christmas with Cathy MacDonald and Tony Kearney options private tales of what house means for various individuals at Christmas and homely traditions from all over the world in addition to the recollections of Christmas previous within the MacDonald and Kearney households.

Christmas Service brings carol-singing and readings from the University of Glasgow’s Carol Service within the Memorial Chapel on Christmas Eve. There are reflections by the University Chaplain, The Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly and the Chapel Choir directed by Kathryn Cooper.

Begin Christmas morning with a particular version of New Every Sunday.

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra serves up the proper Christmas day feast accompaniment with Christmas on the Movies. Expect the splendid sounds of Hollywood’s Golden Age, John Williams blockbusters, Disney favourites and the occasional shock on this conventional festive fixture. Hosted by singer and presenter Jamie MacDougall with conductor Roderick Dunk.

Bryan Burnett takes over with Get it On at Christmas with a number of Christmas music chosen by listeners.

Kick off Hogmanay within the fantastic firm of Hazel Irvine as shares her 2023 highlights. Hazel Irvine’s 2023 Round-Up incorporates a sprinkling of particular friends, nestled between a few of her favorite songs.

Runrig: A Celebration paperwork the influence Runrig has had on Scottish music, tradition and the Gaelic language since they first arrived on the Skye music scene 50 years in the past in 1973. Charting their rise to fame and success, we hear from band members previous and current about their favorite recollections, moments and music. Some of Runrig’s greatest followers additionally be a part of within the dialog and share how a lot the band has formed their lives.

The Hogmanay get together on BBC Radio Scotland begins with Grant Stott’s Hogmanay Vinyl Collective earlier than handing over to Bryan Burnett for a particular stay Get it On….Through the Bells. Bryan will likely be available to play viewers requests to take us in to 2024.

Across tv and radio BBC Scotland will likely be serving audiences a mixture of programming to deliver additional fizz to the yuletide celebrations and to start out the New Year with a bang.