The BBC at the Byre!

This Hogmanay we were absolutely delighted to welcome BBC Alba to the Byre for their annual Hogmanay Ceilidh. The programme was broadcast live around the world right from the Byre! It was a fascinating time for everyone. The first crew arrived on 27th December to set up and by New Year's Eve there were 80 crew on site. The estate was buzzing with the arrival of not only the enormous Outside Broadcast truck, but catering trucks, generator trucks, light and sound trucks.

We were fascinated to watch the Byre being transformed over the days running up the show with loads of props coming in for set design and a myriad of lights going in all over the building - both inside and out. The artists started arriving for rehearsals on 29th December and by the 30th there were full rehearsals underway - including having the Vale of Athol Pipe Band playing on the lawn outside the Byre. Our daughter Ellie was also kept busy as a runner on site, giving her lots of useful work experience for her Film Studies degree!

On New Year's Eve itself the place was a hive of activity and there was a full dress rehearsal at 7.30pm before the guest audience arrived at about 9.30. There were 260 lucky ticket holders who had applied through us and through the BBC to be with us on the night. We were delighted that Katy and Mitch Hunt, who were married at Inchyra in 2014, were lucky enough to get tickets and it was great to welcome them back to the Byre.

With performances from some of Scotland's top singers and musicians it was a truly wonderful night. The atmostphere was magical and the Byre looked stunning. We are so lucky that this beautiful building has brought so many amazing experiences to our home and that we are fortunate enought to meet and get to know so many wonderfully creative and talented people along the way. This night really brought that home to us.