Trusadh

Artist Catrìona Black, who today lives in Holland, returns home to Scotland for a very special trip. She has long been inspired by the treasure trove of weird, wonderful and beautifully subtle Gaelic words that Fatherr Allan MacDonald gathered in South Uist and Eriskay in the late 19th century, in particular the humour that underpins much of it.

Her aim now is to make a book of handmade prints inspired by this fascinating collection, and she heads to the Southern Isles to find out more about Father Allan - his life and his work. Joining her for the trip is John Archie MacMillan, who was a priest in Daliburgh and Eriskay, and knows the local area and people well, and has an in-depth knowledge of the life of Father Allan.

Publishing company Acair are celebrating their 40th year in 2017. Writer Maureen Macleod finds out more about the company, from it's humble beginnings to where it is now. Acair have covered a wide range of topics over the years and created a wide range of books for both children and adults - in Gaelic, English and also bilingually. Indeed, 2017 will see them publish their 1,000th title!

With extracts from Acair classics, and interviews with writers and managers past and present, Maureen explores the enduring appeal that Acair has had over the years. Having always been based in Stornoway, in the Western Isles, its books have always reflected the importance of community, place and people in its range of publications.

There is a very special bond between Grimisay in North Uist and the Monach Isles, a group of fertile machair islands surrounded by an equally bounteous sea, five miles west of North Uist - particularly through fishing. They have a fascinating history, and although they've been uninhabited since the 1930s, it's a connection that continues to this day.

Hamish Taylor from Harris, who fished in his younger days and who visited Heisger often, visits these unique islands, accompanied by others who have strong ties with the islands, among them Pàdruig Morrison. His grandfather had big plans to resettle Heisgeir and make a living there in the 1940s.

Hamish also meets Angus MacDonald who was born in Heisgeir, and he'll also explore what the future holds for this extraordinary place.

In 2017 the official opening of Museum nan Eilean and a brand new archive, Tasglann nan Eilean, at Lews Castle generated worldwide publicity. Hundreds of miles away in a small village in Sweden news of the new museum struck a chord with one man in particular. In 1977, the photographer Gosta Sandberg had visited the Western Isles, and took more than 100 photos - striking images of both people and place. Forty years on Gosta decides to head for the Scottish west coast once more, and is joined by young Lewis photographer, Fiona Rennie who shares Gösta's interest in taking pictures of people and place. Gosta and Fiona then retrace his footsteps as they seek to find out more about the people and places he had photographed. Gosta's Gift - a remarkable and moving story of how a unique and striking set of images found their way back to the Western Isles.

The 50s and 60s saw many young women from the islands in Scotland head to the mainland to work in hotels all over the country. For many there was no choice, with little work on offer at home, while others followed older girls to an exciting, new life. We hear the stories of some of the hotel girls, and while there was plenty of hard work, there was also time for some fun as well!

Gin's growing global popularity has been a remarkable success story in recent years. In 2016 £1.1 billion of gin was sold in the UK alone, with economic projections suggesting that gin sales will outstrip whiskey by 2020. Scotland has played a major part in it's revival with 73 different companies creating over 130 gins across the country.

At its simplest, the basic ingredient in any gin is juniper, and it is then flavoured with a variety of botanicals. However, it is a spirit with a long and turbulent history, as well as a vibrant present and future as gin enthusiast, Alasdair Fraser, finds out. Visiting a number of key distilleries, and taking in gin festivals, and learning about the art of making gin cocktails, Alasdair discovers more about this massively diverse spirit.

With more and more gins appearing on the market, he also explores what the future will hold. Could gin really take over the mantle of the national tipple from whisky?

Having hair, or dealing with not having it, impacts people in different ways. We look at hair loss, and the different reasons for it, as well as premature greying, and explore just how much this is a part of who we are.

An emotional journey of highs and lows through the stories of those affected.

Loneliness is something that affects people for many different reasons. From living in an isolated community, through illness, or perhaps due to an incident in their life, or as a result of old age. It's a complex, emotional response to social isolation and its impact is becoming more and more of an issue in our modern-day society.

Recent research has shown that nine million people in the UK are affected by loneliness, and the medical profession see it as a condition that is as dangerous as smoking, heart disease and obesity. We hear the stories of those who have suffered from loneliness, and also find out about different initiatives and support schemes that are being put in place to help deal with it.

Technology is also playing its part and we learn of some groundbreaking international initiatives, including a multilingual robot who is being developed to help combat loneliness. Loneliness is killing us - a poignant, moving and though provoking account of the impact of loneliness in the modern world.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in Scotland today, and around 54,000 suffer from it - that's 1 out of 97. It can affect anyone, and affect them at any time, and doesn't discrimiate between young and old.

There are about 40 different types of seizures, and a person may have more than one type. But the right treatment can make a huge difference. Support through specialist centres and specialist teams are vital to those who have epilepsy to support and help them. We meet some of those who live with it, and hear about how it impacts both their lives, and the lives of their families and carers, and how they control it, and even overcome it through treatment and surgery.

Poignant, moving and though provoking stories that raise awareness to a condition that to many is hidden - epilepsy.

Make-up has long been a part of life, and has seen many changes over the years as fashion and society has evolved. From getting ready for a big night out, the opportunity to express a unique sense of identity, the rise in men using make-up, to how the world of social media has inspired a new creative, approach for many.

Naomi Buchanan takes us on a fun and revealing journey into the world of make-up and the unique relationship that many have with it.

Apprenticeships are a way of teaching work skills that have been around for centuries, and which have appeared in many different forms over the years.

We take a look at its long history, going back to the time of masters and apprentices, and see how the same model has then been adapted over the centuries. The 60s and 70s in particular saw many from the islands head to the heavy industry of the likes of Glasgow's shipbuilding where they had the opportunity to learn from top craftsmen.

Recent years have seen a rise anew in the opportunity to learn a trade. . How though has this model changed over the generations, and is this really the best approach to give young people their first steps in to the turbulent environment that is the modern world of work?

Apprenticeships - a nostalgic, and fascinating look at how an enduring form of education is now back in vogue.

Examining the effects of a stroke on the lives of an individual and their family. Strokes are the third most common cause of death in Scotland. While those over the age of 55 are most at risk, it can also affect those much younger.

2018 is a historic year for community land ownership in Scotland. It marks 25 years since the Assynt crofters took ownership of their own land, and their own destinies. They were pioneers, and since then almost 50 community buyouts have followed in Scotland. Indeed land reform changes in Scotland have also seen inner-city community buyouts become a reality more recently.

Land ownership in Scotland, and in particular in the Highlands and Islands, has a long and turbulent history, stretching right back to the Highland clearances. We look at the story of Scotland's community land ownership, and the ongoing challenges facing the communities that have chosen this path.

Amongst those we visit are Assynt, Eigg, Glendale in Skye, Gigha, Galson in Lewis, and Barmulloch in Glasgow. At the heart of each initiative is regeneration - creating opportunities, jobs, and improving people's lives. While there are many benefits, it's not without its difficulties.