Pioneering Gaelic TV producer Neil Fraser dies as family pay tribute

A PIONEERING Gaelic TV producer has passed away at the age of 86.

Neil Fraser is best known for being BBC Scotland's first Gaelic language television producer.

He has passed away aged 86, his family confirmed in a statement.

Neil was born in Lochboisdale, South Uist, in 1938 and was brought up in Staffin on the Isle of Skye before moving to Glasgow in 1956.

(Image: Supplied) He was educated at Glasgow University and worked briefly as a maths teacher, before joining the BBC as it was establishing its Gaelic department under Fred MacAulay.

With the support of then-BBC director-general Alasdair Milne, Neil helped to give a voice to the Gaelic language on the national stage.

As a television producer, his award-winning programmes included the Stone of Destiny drama The Pinch (1980), piping documentary The Glorious Effect (1980), Gaelic current affairs show Prosbaig, and Gaelic comedy Tormod Air Telly.

During his time with BBC Scotland, Neil worked as head of current affairs and head of Gaelic.

In the latter role, he was instrumental in the consolidation of the Gaelic radio services into Radio Nan Gaidheal in 1985.

He became head of BBC Radio Scotland in 1987 before leaving the broadcaster in 1992.

(Image: Supplied) After leaving, Neil went on to author a seminal government-commissioned report making the case for a Gaelic language channel. 

He became chair of MG ALBA, a new body which was established in 2003 to promote and support Gaelic broadcasting and media, where he oversaw the establishment of the channel BBC Alba.

Neil also led the television course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, where he trained generations of talent who went on to make many award-winning films and programmes.

He was also committed to piping, both as a board member of the John McFayden Memorial Trust and the Silver Chanter competition.

His family said in a statement: "Our father was part of a pivotal generation that fought to reverse the damaging neglect of his native Gaelic language.

"He became an archetypal Glasgow Gael: Neither fully at home in the city, nor the croft, uncompromisingly proud of his culture and language and also witheringly critical of anything – or anyone! – that trivialised or undermined it.

"He was fiercely intelligent, charming, complex and generous, attributes that he harnessed in his efforts to make broadcasting one of the pillars of the survival of the Gaelic language."

Patsi Mackenzie, a writer and screenwriter known for works such as An t-Eilean and An Clo Mor, and a former student of Neil's, added: "As young novices in broadcasting, Neil always gave praise and encouragement when we tried to get things right – and a gentle, helpful steer when we so often got it wrong!

"He was a true mentor, generous to a fault and always with a glint in his eye.

"His charismatic presence will be forever missed."