For Nairn’s main community hub, hosting TV crews for the only live broadcast Hogmanay party in Scotland was a ‘honour’ and a fantastic way to showcase what they have to offer.
Everyone had a great night. Pictures: Alexander Williamson.
Nairnites and visitors lucky to be allocated tickets for the BBC Alba Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Uire Hogmanay show welcomed the New Year in grand style at Nairn Community & Arts Centre, with music by Scottish folk band Mànran and other artists.
• More Nairnshire news
• More community news
• Sign up for our free newsletters
The local Nairn Gaelic Choir also performed on the night, which was hailed as a great night.
Mairi MacMillan, singer. Picture: Alexander Williamson
Centre manager Rhona MacDonald said they were delighted to host the event.
She said: “We were delighted to host the BBC Alba Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Uire Hogmanay show. It was a fantastic experience to collaborate with the BBC Alba team, whose professionalism and enthusiasm made the event a huge success.
Partying with the midnight bells. Pictures: Alexander Williamson.Nairn danced into the new year at the community centre. Pictures: Alexander Williamson.
“We are incredibly grateful for their support, which not only showcased our wonderful venue but also provided invaluable support for our charity in Nairn.
“Hosting such a prestigious celebration was an honour, and we are proud to have played a part in bringing this special programme to audiences across the country…and worldwide!”
An audience of around 180 people was treated to a night of music and entertainment, with presenters Cathy MacDonald and Niall Iain MacDonald leading the show.
Around 180 people were in attendance. Pictures: Alexander Williamson.
Commenting on the event, Mr MacDonald said: “This was the first time that BBC Alba and Ceilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire visited Nairn and the town did us proud.
“Despite the weather, the audience came from all over the Highlands and joined us from all around the world, taking part online, to welcome in the New Year.
“This is a cèilidh, a party that brings the community together, and it’s a privilege to be part of that.”
The audience had a ball. Pictures: Alexander Williamson.
Iain Macleod, executive producer at BBC Alba, said the channel’s biggest event of the year got a great response from audiences around the world.
“A good deal of the success is due to our dedicated [outside broadcasting] crew but credit must also go to the manager and staff of Nairn Community and Arts Centre – a terrific host venue,” he added.
Former Inverness Courier reporter and Nairn stalwart Donald Wilson echoed in praising the success of the night.
“The Community Centre is a fantastic venue with a great team running it,” he said.
The BBC Alba Hogmanay live event saw Manran as headliners alongside some great folk music acts. Pictures: Alexander Williamson.
“And with no council support – unlike other venues in the Highlands, it has to finance itself.
“The BBC Hogmanay party was the most professional event ever staged at the venue to my knowledge and I think the BBC crew were delighted at how smoothly it all went and hopefully they’ll be back.
“Everyone had a great night. The music was fantastic and of course having the Nairn Gaelic choir performing added to the occasion.
“I think the audience was interested in how the production team managed a live show with so much to fit in, and although most of the audience were not Gaelic speaking they loved every minute of the show.
“Well done BBC Alba. They’ve certainly raised the bar for the Nairn Ceilidh Group who run a summer season with local artists every year!”
You can watch back the Hogmanay show on BBC iPlayer.