Niall Iain MacDonald

Niall Iain MacDonald (Scottish Gaelic: Niall Iain Dòmhnallach) is a Scottish Gaelic-language radio and television producer for BBC Scotland, and presenter of the popular rock and indie music program, Rapal, for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.

Early life

He was born in Aberdeen and educated at Millburn Academy in Inverness.[1]

Media career

He joined BBC Scotland in 1998.[1] He was the 2005 winner of the Radio Personality of the Year at the Celtic Film and Television Festival.[2]

Personal life

A missing persons search for MacDonald began on 17 May 2007.[1] He had been seen leaving Stornoway but hadn't been in contact with relatives or colleagues.[3] He had spent some time alone on the hills.[4] After two weeks he returned home.[5]

To raise awareness of mental health issues, MacDonald undertook a solo row of the Minch between Stornoway and Ullapool on 16 July 2008 and completed the 43-mile row in 26 hours.[6][4] In November 2011 he was rescued half-way through a 100-mile row from Barra to Lewis after an oar snapped.[7] In June 2014 he embarked upon a solo row from New York to Stornoway in a 24-foot rowing boat that was expected to take three months. He was forced to abandon the attempt after nine days, having sustained injuries in stormy conditions.[8] The boat was later salvaged and he appealed for help with the cost of this.[9]

MacDonald was also a shinty player and was signed for Lewis Camanachd in Lewis. He is now retired but retains an interest in the sport, presenting the trophy at the Hebridean Celtic Festival Cup in 2009.

References
  1. Ross, John (24 May 2007). "Hunt stepped up as fears grow for Gaelic youth radio star". The Scotsman. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  2. "Missing BBC man 'seen on ferry'". BBC News. 23 May 2007.
  3. "Fresh plea in search for producer". BBC News. 25 May 2007.
  4. Niall Iain MacDonald: Rowing the Minch. BBC Radio 4. 5 September 2012.
  5. "Niall Iain found safe and well". Stornoway Gazette. 4 June 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  6. "Row challenge completed early!". Stornoway Gazette. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  7. "Children in Need: Rower Niall Iain Macdonald rescued". BBC News. 18 November 2011.
  8. Merritt, Mike (16 June 2014). "Distraught rower: If I lose my boat then I have lost everything". The Herald. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  9. "Rescued Atlantic rower facing £8000 bill to retrieve lost boat". STV News. 17 June 2004.


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