Once again Montgomery Scott raises a glass to see out the old year and ring in the new, and that means it’s time for Scots Whay Hae!’s annual selection of New Year’s Eve treats. It’s an alternative to the Hogmanay telly, so if there’s little you fancy on the box there might be something here to your liking.
First up is the perfect programme for the night. It's Hogmanay - The True Story with the late, great Jimmy Reid, with music from The Whistlebinkies and others, including the legendary Sheila Stewart:
Staying firmly in Scotland, and featuring another two Scottish legends celebrating yet a third - it's Billy Connolly and Aly Bain Fishing for Poetry - A Celebration of Norman MacCaig (and if you don't know the genius of Norman MacCaig this is a lovely introduction). As well as the titular two there are contributions from many other well-kent names and faces, including Jackie Kay and Liz Lochhead. Click here to find the full programme on BBC iPlayer, but to give you a taste of the show here is Billy, Aly and Andrew Greig in a tent playing 'Dixie Darling':
If you're a football fan you probably know much of the story of how Alex Ferguson went from the Govan shipyards to taking Aberdeen to domestic and then European glory, then managing the mighty Manchester United for 26 years. This two-part documentary covers all the the old stories, but also uncovers some new ones, with interviews from old players, adversaries, and members of the press. Again, you should click there to watch both episodes on iPlayer, but below is the trailer:
One of SWH!'s Best Films for 2024 was Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland's Girl Bands, a terrific celebration of the music, and those who made it. It will make you laugh, cry, and boil your blood with anger, but you will be left ultimately uplifted - a great way to start the new year. The trailer is below, but click here to watch the full film:
We also like to offer up our very own Hootenanny to see you through the Bells, and there were lots of great songs released in 2024 which happened to have great videos as well. Here's just a select few, starting with Arab Strap and 'Strawberry Moon', (in which Ali gets a brief cameo as 'priest at bar'!).
One of the most welcome returns of the year was that of Zoe Graham. The first release from the EP When Living Came Easy was the excellent 'Evilin', which had a cracking video as well:
Someone who had an amazing year, releasing numerous notable singles along the way, was the brilliant Brooke Combe. Rounding off that year in style was the single 'This Town', and here's the video:
One of my favourite interviews of the year for the Scots Whay Hae! Radio Show was with David Archibald from The Tenementals who released the album Glasgow: A History (Volume I of VI). My favourite track on the album, in fact one of my tracks of the year, is 'The Owl of Minerva' - quite simply one of the great Glasgow songs. It also had an almost interactive video:
Looking forward into 2025, one of the most eagerly-awaited albums is racecar's Pink Car which is due out in March. What's all the fuss about? Here's just one example as to why you should believe the hype. This is racecar and 'Lay Me Down':
If you want more racecar, then click here for their wonderful Holiday Special 2024.
And if you're after more music then you'll find all the SWH! CamGlen Radio Shows here - The Scots Whay Hae! Show - and you can still catch up with our Best Music Of 2024 podcast with Fiona Liddell and Ali talking about 20 of the best tracks of 2024.
Huge thanks to all of our podcast and radio show guests this year, and to all those people who have read, liked, listened to, supported, and shared what we do. It's so appreciated, and we hope to offer more of the same, yet completely different, in 2025.
From everyone involved with Scots Whay Hae!, Happy New Year and we’ll see you on the other side… Ali x
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