Balblair is a lost township. Tucked away in the trees, just a stone’s throw from the road between Ullapool and Inverness at Inverlael, centuries of history lie buried and forgotten. In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum, archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Scotland's Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
In this poignant and moving final episode we’re joined by leading historian, Professor Sir Tom Devine, to learn about the history of the clearances and how Inverlael was cleared of its people. We follow sheriff’s officer Hugh Ross as he goes from house to house serving notice for the residents to leave their home in Balblair for good.
In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum (https://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/), archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Writer: Chris Dolan
Actor: Hamish Macdonald
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Audio engineering is by Steve Bull (https://www.stevebullproductions.co.uk/)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
27 Feb 2023
George Steuart MacKenzie
One of Scotland’s most popular actors, David Hayman, brings the character of George Steuart Mackenzie of Coul vividly back to life in this compelling performance as the landlord responsible for the Inverlael clearances. Not a hero but is he a villain, he says not but you decide.
In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum (https://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/), archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Writer: Chris Dolan
Actor: David Hayman
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Audio engineering is by Steve Bull (https://www.stevebullproductions.co.uk/)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
20 Feb 2023
Illicit whisky
In this episode we join Grizzel up in the shieling where she’s busy making illicit whisky. While we learn about the importance of whisky to Highland culture, Grizzel learns about just how potent homebrew can be. A funny, engaging and delightful delve into history!
In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum (https://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/), archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Writer: Chris Dolan
Actor: Fiona Macdonald
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Audio engineering is by Steve Bull (https://www.stevebullproductions.co.uk/)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
13 Feb 2023
Reverend Thomas Ross
It's 1819 and Reverend Ross from Clachan Church is a conflicted man, torn between what he sees as his duty to God and the knowledge that in the morning his parishioners will be cleared from the lands of Inverlael. Dark, brooding and thought provoking, Minister Ross makes his case for his history to be re-written.
In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum (https://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/), archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Writer: Chris Dolan
Actor: Mark Stephen
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Audio engineering is by Steve Bull (https://www.stevebullproductions.co.uk/)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
6 Feb 2023
Anna Fraser
In this episode we revisit the late 16th century and the marriage day of a young, innocent 14 year old girl, Anna Fraser, to a man twice her age. She’s a political pawn in the ongoing battle to secure the future of Inverlael. A powerful and haunting story.
In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum (https://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/), archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Writer: Chris Dolan
Actor: Kady Lyon
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Audio engineering is by Steve Bull (https://www.stevebullproductions.co.uk/)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
30 Jan 2023
Linn nan Creach
In this episode we head for the 1570s. There’s a violent and vicious feud going on between the Munro and Mackenzie clans, and Archie Munro is called to arms.
In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum (https://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/), archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Writer: Chris Dolan
Actor: Hamish Macdonald
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Audio engineering is by Steve Bull (https://www.stevebullproductions.co.uk/)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
23 Jan 2023
The Shielings
In this episode we head for the hills, high above Loch Broom, to the shieling where a young woman composes a love poem instead of herding the cattle!
In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum (https://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/), archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Writer: Chris Dolan
Actor: Lisa Macdonald
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Audio engineering is by Steve Bull (https://www.stevebullproductions.co.uk/)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
16 Jan 2023
Lady Fowler
In this first episode we head for 1913 to meet Lady Fowler and learn how this popular and colourful character helped unearth evidence that Inverlael was a significant gathering place right back into Neolithic times.
In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum (https://www.ullapoolmuseum.co.uk/), archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Writer: Chris Dolan
Actor: Juliet Kelly
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
21 Dec 2022
Lost Inverlael: A' Lorg Baile Bhlàir
Coming in January 2023...
Balblair is a lost township. Tucked away in the trees, just a stone’s throw from the road between Ullapool and Inverness at Inverlael, centuries of history lie buried and forgotten. In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum, archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruaridh MacLean (https://www.facebook.com/Rumacmusic)
Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd (https://www.adventurousaudio.co.uk/) and supported by the Audio Content Fund (https://www.audiocontentfund.org.uk/)
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