Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Afternoon Reading

Audiobooks

Drama

Short stories or abridged books, often from new writers

BBC Radio 4 Extra

BBC Radio 4 FM

Afternoon Reading: The Mystery of the Hills

Afternoon Reading: The Mystery of the Hills: Episode 1: Making Contact

The Mystery of the Hills

Episode 1

Episode 1: Making Contact

Making Contact

BBC Radio 4 - Afternoon Reading, The Mystery of the Hills, Making ContactSearch BBC

A poet reflects upon lessons learned from a failed affair.

By Andrew Greig: 4 Extra Debut. A poet reflects on lessons learned from a failed affair. Stories celebrating Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean. Read by Liam Brennan.

By Andrew Greig.


Read by Liam Brennan.


A poet reflects upon a romantic encounter from his youth, which taught him the value of language and the nature of identity.


First in a series of stories commissioned to mark the centenary of the birth of the Highland poet Sorley MacLean. Awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1990, MacLean is regarded as the greatest Gaelic poet of the Twentieth Century, giving new literary standing to a language which has at times seemed close to extinction. 


MacLean was born in October 1911 on Raasay, a small island lying off the east coast of Skye, into a family immersed in Highland history and culture. It is often said that what Hugh MacDiarmid did for Scots, Sorley MacLean did for Gaelic, sparking a Gaelic renaissance in Scottish literature. He was also instrumental in preserving and promoting the teaching of Gaelic in Scottish schools. He died in 1996.


Produced by Kirsteen Cameron.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Series of stories marking the centenary of the birth of the Gaelic poet Sorley MacLean

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Afternoon Reading

The Mystery of the Hills

Episode 1: Making Contact

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4