Award-winning Gaelic drama An t-Eilean returns with £1M island boost as partners visit Western Isles set

MG ALBA today hosted key partners, stakeholders and funders on the set of the award-winning Gaelic crime drama An t-Eilean, as filming continues across Lewis and Harris on its second series. 

Visiting cast and crew on location in Breasclete, representatives from Ofcom, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) and VisitScotland saw first-hand the scale and impact of the multi-partner funded production. 

The four-part drama, produced by Black Camel Pictures, is midway through a seven-week shoot in the Western Isles. The production is expected to deliver around £1 million to the local island economy, with 50 crew and 30 cast working across multiple locations. 

Five step-up training opportunities - backed by the British Film Institute, Creative Scotland and MG ALBA - have been created across editing, sound, directing and digital content, supporting skills development in the Highlands and Islands and expanding the Gaelic-speaking talent pool.   

The first series of An t-Eilean was broadcast in January 2025 on BBC ALBA, followed by BBC Four, attracting audiences of around two million. It went on to secure international distribution and was recognised as the best TV show in European regional television, with CIRCOM’s Grand Prix and Best Entertainment and Drama Award in 2025, marking it as the most successful Gaelic-language television production.  The new series builds on that success, with an expanded cast of returning and emerging talent. 

The return of An t-Eilean reflects the strength of collaboration across the sector, with additional support from Screen Scotland, the BBC, CnES, HIE, Black Camel Pictures and All3Media International. 

John Morrison, Chair of MG ALBA said: “The success of An t-Eilean demonstrates the growing reach and confidence of Gaelic-language drama, not only as a cultural asset but as a driver of economic and creative opportunity for the Highlands and Islands. 

“This production is bringing significant investment into local communities, creating valuable skills opportunities and showcasing Lewis and Harris to audiences across the UK and internationally. 

“The continued success of An t-Eilean reflects the strength of partnership working across the sector and underlines the importance of sustained investment in Gaelic broadcasting and screen production.” 

Joanna Peteranna, director of area operations at HIE, said: “We are very pleased to support the An t‑Eilean production, which demonstrates the economic and cultural value of Gaelic screen content to the region. The production is expected to generate significant local economic activity, while supporting local jobs, businesses and services. Just as importantly, it is helping to build long‑term capacity in the Gaelic screen sector through targeted training and skills development, ensuring talented people can build creative careers in and from our island communities.”  

Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of CnES, said:  “We are pleased to have been able to support this significant production with a funding contribution and through use of the Comhairle-owned Studio Alba for filming over the period.   An t‑Eilean has already demonstrated the very real economic, cultural and reputational benefits that high‑quality screen production can bring to the Outer Hebrides. Supporting the second series aligns closely with our economic strategy, strengthens our creative industries, and helps ensure that the islands continue to be seen as a centre for Gaelic language, culture and talent.” 

ThaandràmaGhàidhligioma-dhuaiseach An t-Eilean air ais le dùil ri £1M do eaconamaidh ionadail na h-eileanan, le com-pàirtichean a’ tadhal air seata a’ phrògraim 

Chuir MG ALBA an-diugh fàilte air prìomh chom-pàirtichean, luchd-ùidh agus luchd-maoineachaidh gu seata an dràma eucoir Ghàidhlig ioma-dhuaiseach An t-Eilean, le filmeadh a’ leantainn ann an Leòdhas agus na Hearadh air an dàrna sreath. 

Chunnaic riochdairean bho Ofcom, Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean (HIE), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CnES) agus VisitScotland, a bha air làrach a’ chlàraidh ann am Brèascleit, meud agus buaidh an riochdachaidh a chaidh a mhaoineachadh le ioma-chom-pàirtiche. 

Tha an dràma ceithir-phàirteach, air a riochdachadh le BlackCamelPictures, letheach slighe tro fhilmeadh seachd seachdainean anns na h-Eileanan Siar. Thathar an dùil gun toir an riochdachadh timcheall air £1 millean do eaconamaidh ionadail an eilein, le 50 criutha agus 30 cleasaiche ag obair thar iomadh làrach. 

Chaidh còig cothroman trèanaidh - le taic bho Institiud Film Bhreatainn, Alba Chruthachail agus MG ALBA - a chruthachadh, thar deasachadh, fuaim, stiùireadh agus susbaint didseatach, a’ toirt taic do leasachadh sgilean air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus sna h-Eileanan agus a’ leudachadh tàlant luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig.   

Chaidh a’ chiad shreath de An t-Eilean a chraoladh san Fhaoilleach 2025 air BBC ALBA, agus an uair sin air BBC Four, a’ tàladh luchd-amhairc de mu dhà mhillean. Chaidh a sgaoileadh gu h-eadar-nàiseanta agus chaidh aithneachadh mar am prògram as fheàrr ann an telebhisean roinneil Eòrpach, le GrandPrix CIRCOM agus Duais an Cur-seachad is Dràma as Fheàrr ann an 2025, ga chomharrachadh mar an riochdachadh telebhisean Gàidhlig as soirbheachaile. Tha an t-sreath ùr a’ togail air an t-soirbheachas sin, le sgioba de thàlant an dà chuid a tha a’ tilleadh agus a’ tighinn am bàrr. 

Tha an dàrna sreath de An t-Eilean a’ sealltainn neart co-obrachaidh air feadh na roinne, le taic a bharrachd bho Sgrion Alba, am BBC, CnES, HIE, BlackCamelPictures agus All3Media International. 

Thuirt Iain Moireasdan, Cathraiche MG ALBA: “Tha soirbheachas An t-Eilean a’ sealltainn ruigsinneachd agus misneachd a tha a’ sìor fhàs ann an dràma Ghàidhlig, chan ann a-mhàin mar mhaoin chultarail ach mar dhraibhear chothroman eaconamach is cruthachail airson na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean. 

“Tha an riochdachadh seo a’ toirt seilbheach mhòr do choimhearsnachdan ionadail, a’ cruthachadh chothroman sgilean luachmhor agus a’ taisbeanadh Leòdhas agus na Hearadh do luchd-amhairc air feadh na RA agus gu h-eadar-nàiseanta. 

“Tha soirbheachas leantainneach An t-Eilean a’ sealltainn obair com-pàirteachasan air feadh na roinne agus a’ cur cuideam air cho cudromach ’s a tha seilbheach seasmhach ann an craoladh Gàidhlig agus riochdachadh sgrion.” 

 Thuirt JoannaPeteranna, Stiùiriche Obrachaidhean Sgìreil aig HIE: “Tha sinn toilichte dha-rìreabh taic a thoirt do riochdachadh An t-Eilean, a tha a’ sealltainn luach eaconamach agus cultarail susbaint sgrion Gàidhlig don roinn. Thathar an dùil gun cruthaich an riochdachadh gnìomhachd eaconamach ionadail cudromach, agus aig an aon àm a’ toirt taic do dh’obraichean, gnìomhachasan agus seirbheisean ionadail. A cheart cho cudromach, tha e a’ cuideachadh le bhith a’ togail comas fad-ùine ann an roinn sgrion na Gàidhlig tro thrèanadh agus leasachadh sgilean, a’ dèanamh cinnteach gum faod daoine tàlantach dreuchdan cruthachail a thogail ann agus bho na coimhearsnachdan eileanach againn.” 

Thuirt an Comhairliche Pòl Steele, Ceannard CnES: “Tha sinn toilichte gun robh e comasach dhuinn taic a thoirt don riochdachadh cudromach seo le tabhartas maoineachaidh agus tro bhith a’ cleachdadh Studio Alba, a tha fo shealbh na Comhairle, airson filmeadh thar na h-ùine. Tha An t-Eilean mu thràth air na buannachdan eaconamach, cultarail agus cliùiteach a shealltainn a dh’fhaodas riochdachadh sgrion àrd-inbhe a thoirt do na h-Eileanan Siar. Tha taic don dàrna sreath a’ freagairt gu dlùth ris an ro-innleachd eaconamach againn, a’ neartachadh ar gnìomhachasan cruthachail, agus a’ cuideachadh le bhith a’ dèanamh cinnteach gum bi na h-eileanan fhathast air am faicinn mar ionad airson cànan, cultar agus tàlant na Gàidhlig.”