BBC Scotland

Campbell Swinton Lecture: Claire Enders, Enders Analysis

Campbell Swinton was one of Scotland’s pioneers of television technology whose legacy RTS continues to celebrate with a series of high level lectures. The last two speakers were then SNP leader Alex Salmond and BBC Scotland Director Ken MacQuarrie.

Rising above the political fray in Westminster and Holyrood, Claire Enders will explain the purpose and foundations of the PSB system of producing and commissioning news and current affairs, quality entertainment and documentaries, sustained by the BBC, C4, ITV, STV and C5.

Behind the scenes of BBC Scotland's Shetland

BBC Scotland crime drama Shetland, which celebrated its first decade on screen last year, was put under the spotlight at an RTS Scotland event in February.

The event was held in partnership with the Bring the Drama Festival, which complements the six-part BBC Two talent show Bring the Drama, fronted by Bill Bailey. The festival opens up the world of drama to people interested in a career on screen or stage.

Key crew members discussed how they contribute to the success of Shetland, which is made by ITV Studios company Silverprint Pictures.

Float: BBC Scotland's "sweet, sensitive and sensual" sapphic story

"I’d like viewers to get either a window into a world they don’t know much about or a mirror where they see themselves reflected …. I want people to be moved, feel connected and maybe feel a little less alone.”

This was one of Stef Smith’s aims for her BBC Scotland/Screen Scotland short-form digital drama Float. The first series won Smith an RTS Writer award. Series 2, which launches on iPlayer at the end of this month, was premiered at an RTS Scotland/BBC Scotland event in late February.

How A View from the Terrace turned from podcast to TV show

man leaning on soap box

A View from the Terrace began life as a podcast but is now a hit weekly BBC Scotland football show, mixing chat and comedy – and all from the perspective of the fans.

At an RTS Scotland event late last month, the programme’s producers at ­Studio Something discussed how they successfully transferred the podcast to TV.

BBC Scotland commissions Scotland’s Greatest Escape

Credit: BBC

The eight-part series will explore some of the best escapes for people to experience in Scotland, with one destination winning the crown of Scotland’s Greatest Escape. 

Cameras will travel up and down Scotland to discover a wide variety of holiday styles and destinations.

The public and businesses can nominate places and holiday experiences they think are special enough to win the top prize. 

The judges are not looking solely for luxury experiences but are focused on exceptionality and want experiences across a range of budgets.

BBC launches a new talent search for young climate reporters

Credit: BBC

The unique training and mentorship opportunity is open for 18-24 year-olds, in a bid to put young voices at the centre of climate reporting and help develop and nurture diverse new talent. 

The BBC is on the hunt for young talented storytellers who want to work in the media and will become part of the popular Young Reporter programme. 

The 22 successful applicants will take part in a series of workshops and receive expert coaching from BBC staff on storytelling and will be given practical steps on how to pursue a career in journalism. 

Steve Carson: The BBC’s new man in Glasgow

“I always wanted to work in broadcasting,” he recalled. “Probably like a lot of people [growing up) in Northern Ireland at that time, and probably still today, I didn’t see anyone who sounded like me or who lived where I lived on the television, outside the news, unfortunately talking about absolutely horrendous things.”

After graduating from Manchester University, Carson landed a job as a runner, having been rejected by BBC training schemes, and then moved, via youth and entertainment, to BBC current affairs as a producer/director on programmes including Newsnight and Panorama.

New cast confirmed for Guilt as series two begins filming

Neil Forsyth has written another twisting thriller that picks up where the first series left off, with brothers Max (Mark Bonnar) and Jake (Jamie Sives) facing the consequences of their accidental killing of an old man.

Sara Vickers, Phyllis Logan, Stuart Bowman and Ian Pirie will join returning cast Bonnar, Sives and Emun Elliott.

Bonnar said: “I’m completely overjoyed that Guilt is getting a second series! Neil has crafted four amazing scripts with some cracking new characters and an immensely involving plot, full of twists and turns.

BBC commissions documentary Inside The Murder Trial: The Disappearance of Margaret Fleming

Credit: BBC

The series gives unprecedented access, granted by Glasgow High Court, to a high-profile murder trial that has gripped Scotland and solves a 20-year old disappearance.

The exclusive access documented suspects Edward Cairney and Avril Jones as they faced trial for the murder of Margaret Fleming.

When a Personal Independence Payment application – a welfare benefit for someone with a disability – was submitted in 2016, suspicions were raised when authorities couldn’t contact the claimant.