Howells to open new Scottish digital facility

The Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting in the Whitehall culture ministry is to visit Lewis on April 24, at the invitation of Western Isles MP Calum MacDonald.
During the visit Dr Kim Howells (pictured) will open the new broadcasting facilities at Studio Taigh Shiphoirt in Stornoway.
The existing video systems at the studios were recently upgraded to allow for widescreen presentation and to provide the flexibility to produce a variety of programmes in a digital broadcasting environment. The new installation includes video recording equipment, a server and graphics and editing suites. There is also a new post-production audio dubbing facility. The equipment was procured with funding from a partnership of the Scottish Executive, Western Isles Enterprise, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig.
In addition to a tour of the studios at Seaforth Road, Dr Howells will see location filming in progress in Ness, where the Stornoway production company Mactv will be shooting scenes for a new two-part Gaelic drama. He will also visit some of the tourist attractions of the island.
In anticipation of his visit, Dr Howells said: "The broadcasting industry is very fast moving. That is why it is important for studios like Taigh Shiphoirt to keep abreast of new technologies. I am confident that that the new digital broadcasting facilities will give programme makers at Taigh Shiphoirt the flexibility to make a variety of great programmes. I look forward to seeing the studio in action."
Calum MacDonald said that it was gratifying to see Dr Howells taking time out from a busy schedule to visit the Western Isles and see at first hand some of the developments that pertain to his department's portfolio.
"It is particularly satisfying to welcome the Minister to the opening of the new Taigh Shiphoirt facilities," he said.
"The installation is important as a stepping-stone towards the new world of digital television and for its potential as a production and services centre for a Gaelic television channel. Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig is to be congratulated for providing this latest innovation in broadcasting in the Western Isles," Mr MacDonald said.
(GB)