Lewis-born musician Iain 'Spanish' MacKay explores the colourful history of Scotland’s music festivals in a new BBC ALBA documentary, Fuaim na Fèise | Scotland's Festivals.

From the new Celtic music festival, The Reeling, to Scotland’s biggest festival, TRNSMT, Spanish attends some of the best 2023 events, taking viewers on an ‘insider’s tour’ around Scotland to showcase the styles and surroundings that make each so unique.

Meeting the performers, organisers and fans who bring the festivals to life, Spanish takes a deep dive into the sounds of Scottish culture in this BBC ALBA documentary, airing as part of its festive schedule.

At The Reeling, he meets bands including Skerryvore and Scottish-electronic duo Valtos, and at TRNSMT he catches up with Irish folk group The Mary Wallopers and new dance outfit LF System. He then drops into some of Scotland’s smaller festivals, including the multi-cultural music and dance festival Glasgow Mela, 80s favourite Rewind in Perth, a wet EDF on Benbecula - where he performs with his band The Tumbling Souls - and the diverse arts-focused Kelburn Garden Party in Ayrshire.

With a nostalgic lens on 50 years of Scotland’s festivals, he also looks back at some fondly remembered festivals that made a lasting impact. With highlights including the Loch Lomond Rock Festival with Annie Lennox and her first band The Tourists and RockNess when Fatboy Slim wowed 30,000 ravers, to Wickerman Festival in Dumfries and Galloway and T in the Park through the eyes of promoter Geoff Ellis.

Finishing the festival circuit at The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, here Spanish goes backstage with Eurovision star Sam Ryder and Norwegian pop sensation Sigrid. In true festival tradition, a spontaneous collaboration between Sigrid and piper Scott Wood brings the festival to a spectacular close.

With exclusive interviews and fan insights, Spanish dons his wellies, gives campers a helping hand with their tents and braves all kinds of weather to find out what makes the true ‘festival experience’ today.

Fuaim na Fèise | Scotland's Festivals premieres on BBC ALBA and iPlayer on Saturday 30 December at 9pm (in Gaelic with English subtitles).

Watch live or on demand: www.bbc.co.uk/tv/bbcalba.