Fred Macaulay (radio producer)

Fred Ewen Gillies Macaulay (1 January 1925 — 15 February 2003) was a Gaelic scholar and radio producer who was head of the BBC Gaelic department for 19 years, and oversaw a tenfold increase of Gaelic broadcasting time.[2][1]

Fred Macaulay
Born(1925-01-01)January 1, 1925
Sollas, North Uist Scotland
Died(2003-02-15)February 15, 2003
EducationUniversity of Edinburgh
OccupationGaelic Scholar, Radio Producer
Spouse(s)Sybil Thom[1]
Children3[1]

Biography

Macaulay was born in North Uist in 1925.[2][3] He attended the Inverness Royal Academy.[2][3][4] During World War Two, he served with the Royal Corps of Signals and the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.[2][3] He then studied at the University of Edinburgh, earning a Master of Arts in Celtic Studies and a diploma in phonetics.[2][3][4] He joined the BBC Gaelic department in 1954[2][3][5] and became head of the department in 1964.[2][5][6] In 1980, he became manager of BBC Highland, based in Inverness, before retiring on 1 July 1983.[2][3][5] In his time at the BBC, Gaelic broadcasting on BBC Radio increased tenfold, from 1.5 hours to 15 hours per week.[5] Macaulay was also responsible for Gaelic programs on TV, including current affairs, and the light entertainment series Se Ur Beatha ('You're welcome').[2][5][4][6] Macaulay also appointed the first woman in the BBC Gaelic department.[2]

Recognition
  • 1999 - Radio Lifetime Achievement Award from the Celtic Film and Television Festival[3]
  • 2000 - Honorary Chieftain, Gaelic Society of Inverness[3]

References
  1. "Fred Macaulay Radio executive who tirelessly promoted the cause of Gaelic". The Herald. 19 February 2003. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  2. "Fred Macaulay". The Scotsman. 20 February 2003. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  3. Newley, Patrick (6 March 2003). "Obituaries. Fred Macaulay". The Stage: 13. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  4. Mackay, Hamish (24 August 1970). "Gaelic answer to 'The White Heather Club'". Aberdeen Press and Journal. Aberdeen, Scotland. p. 6. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  5. "After 18 years ... 'Mr. Gaelic' retires". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 12 November 1982. p. 5. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  6. Hutchinson, Roger (2004). A Waxing Moon: The Modern Gaelic Revival. Edinburgh: Mainstream. ISBN 9781780573106. Retrieved 29 September 2017.


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