鶹Լ

Matthew MacIver

Professor Matthew MacIver CBE

I was born and brought up in the Island of Lewis where Gaelic was, and remains, my first language.

Because of my background I have given much of my time to the Gaelic cause over the years. I have chaired Bord na Gaidhlig and in the 1990s chaired the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee that worked so hard to pave the way for the introduction of 鶹Լ Alba. It will not, therefore, be a surprise that I listen daily to Radio nan Gaidheal which is the foundation of present Gaelic broadcasting and which delivers a marvellous service.

But I have wider tastes. My two favourite radio programmes are “Take the Floor” and “Desert Island Discs” and on television I tend not to miss either “University Challenge”, “Newsnight” , “Newsnight Scotland” or any football game that happens to be shown.

Three years ago I retired as Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland and before then I had been a Secondary School Head Teacher. My professional life has been given to Scottish Education and I would have to admit that Education in all its various forms remains a passion for me. So does broadcasting which has also been of great interest to me over the years and that is why I am delighted to be a member of the ACS. I was a member of the original Gaelic Television Committee in 1991 and I have represented Scotland on the Content Board of Ofcom.

I have two major hobbies. Each month I write a column for the “Rudhach” the Community Magazine in Point my native district in Lewis. I am also a season ticket holder at Easter Road in Edinburgh where I watch Hibernian FC. Life can sometimes be trying!