April 2022 saw the centenary of the birth of Scottish novelist and screenwriter Alistair MacLean - one of history's bestselling authors. His action-packed thrillers have sold more than 150 million copies. The Guns of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra, Where Eagles Dare and When Eight Bells Toll were all cinema blockbusters.

We reveal how MacLean was a Gael who thought he could have written better in Gaelic than English! With movie clips, readings, and interviews with family and experts, plus archive interviews with the author, the programme celebrates this master of action adventure, and laments his loss to Gaelic literature.

Sa Ghiblein 2022 bithidh ceud bliadhna ann bho rugadh an t-ùghdar Albannach Alasdair MacIlleathain. Reic na leabhraichean aige cho math ri ùghdar sa bith air an t-saoghal: ceud gu leth millean leabhar le sgeulachdan beòthail dànachd. Agus bha feadhainn dhiu sònraichte soirbheachail mar filmichean: The Guns of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra, Where Eagles Dare agus When Eight Bells Toll.

Se Gàidheal a bh’ann am MacIlleathain, a bha a’cumail a-mach gum faodadh e bhi air sgrìobhadh na b’fhearr sa Ghàidhlig na anns a’Bheurla! Tha am prògram a’dèanamh luaidh air sàr-sgrìobhaiche sgeòil gaisgeachd, le còmhraidhean leis fhèin, le a’chàirdean agus le eòlaichean, earrainn film agus earrainn leughte; agus a’caoidh nach robh e a’sgrìobhadh sa Ghàidhlig.

In Gaelic with English subtitles Show less