Na H-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus MacNeil has written to the Director General of the BBC, Mr Tony Hall asking if the corporation will consider making the recent four part series Hebrides – ‘Islands on the Edge’, available around the globe.

The BBC recently confirmed that the series would be broadcast in England, Wales and Northern Ireland later on this year.

The series, narrated by Ewen Macgregor, perfectly highlighted the natural beauty of the Hebrides.

Angus MacNeil said:

“Hebrides – ‘Islands on the Edge’ documenting Hebridean landscapes and wildlife, showed the natural beauty of our islands with spectacular scenery. I would hope that there is a spin off to the tourist trade in the Hebrides after the showing of these excellent programmes.

 

“The BBC has confirmed that they will broadcast the series in the rest of the UK by the end of the year.  However, I believe we should be looking at a wider audience, therefore I have now written to the Director General of the BBC, Tony Hall asking if the BBC have any plans to broadcast these programmes to a wider audience and if they intend to sell them worldwide.

“We saw how the Balamory programmes increased tourist numbers to Mull, and how tourist numbers increased for South Uist and Barra after the showing of the Island Parish series on the BBC.

“If ‘Islands on the Edge’ has the same impact on tourism figures, then I feel that the documentaries should be shown to a wider audience which would help to increase tourism numbers to all the Hebrides.”

 

ENDS