Am Boireannach a Dh'ith Bò (The Woman Who Ate A Cow)

Transmission 4th November 9pm, BBC Alba and repeated 6th November 10pm

Watch a clip here:  http://www.caledonia.tv/productions/full-catalogue/video.aspx?id=1530

The Shorefield Project - Am Boireannach a Dh'ith Bò (The Woman Who Ate A Cow)

A documentary about how to cook and eat an entire cow is Caledonia TV's latest commission for BBC ALBA. 'Am Boireannach a Dh'ith Bò' (The Woman Who Ate A Cow) will feature Islay born artist and cook, Heather Dewar, as she reveals how previous generations ate animals from head to tail, never wasting a scrap of meat. Today, only half the meat from a carcass ends up on the supermarket counter - but not so long ago meals made of offal were welcomed by hungry families. The programme will follow Heather as she selects and buys a Highland bull, sees it slaughtered and butchered, and cooks all the parts that modern diners turn their noses up at.

We are very pleased to say that Heather has chosen to go with one of the beasts from the Shorefield Project for the programme, and today was the, frankly uncomfortable day, when the animal was taken to be slaughtered at the Avonvoggie Abattoir on Islay. The producers of the programme are keen to portray as realistic and honest a view as possible of the process that culminates with meat on our plates.

The beast to be featured was taken with one of his fellow Highlanders early this morning on a short, stress-free journey to Avonvoggie in a 'float'. Both were completely calm and had no idea about what lay ahead. John and Tim, the two slaughtermen and Beth the vet, were totally professional and the deed was done instantaneously and humanely. Heather, who is truly passionate about the quality and provenance of her food in general and her meat in particular, was in attendance throughout.

Caledonia TV Producer Les Wilson filming one of the beasts in the lairage at the abattoir.



Heather watches John preparing to dispatch the beast.



Les filming John and Tim removing the hide prior to evisceration.

Once the carcass has been prepared it is split in half using a powered bandsaw

Veterinary surgeon Beth stamps the carcass once her inspections have been completed.

Heather discusses the cooking of offal and some of the less fashionable parts of the beast such as ox-tail

Two of the Shorefield Bullocks will be slaughtered this week

Two of the bullocks from the Shorefield Project will be slaughtered at the Avonvoggie Abattoir on Islay this week.  One of these will be used by Caledonia TV in the making of the Gaelic TV programme Am Boireannach a Dh'ith Bò (The Woman Who Ate A Cow) which has been commissioned by BBC Alba.

After hanging for 21 days, the carcasses will be butchered and each beast split into four equal quarters, vacuum packed into freezer-ready portions.  We already have customers for these, but more will be ready before long, so if you fancy adding yourself to the waiting list please let us know!!
Carl

"The Woman Who Ate A Cow" - filming starts

'Am Boireannach a Dh'ith Bò'

Les Wilson is pictured shooting some video of the Highland bullocks being fed by James Brown down at the Shorefield.  Les will be joined by Caledonia TV producer Faye MacLean this weekend when filming will continue at one of Islay's biggest cattle sales...

Feature on chef Tom Kitchen shows why 'The Woman Who Ate a Cow' will be firmly on-trend

Full Story - The Herald

Am Boireannach a Dh'ith Bò (The Woman Who Ate A Cow)

 Shorefield Project to appear on TV....

The Caledonia TV director Les Wilson is pictured at Octomore Farm above Port Charlotte checking out some candidates to star in his new TV programme for BBC Alba.  The production will feature one of the bullocks from the Shorefield Project.

Heather Dewar

A documentary about how to cook and eat an entire cow is Caledonia's latest commission for BBC ALBA. 'Am Boireannach a Dh'ith Bò' (The Woman Who Ate A Cow) will feature Islay born artist and cook, Heather Dewar, as she reveals how previous generations ate animals from head to tail, never wasting a scrap of meat. Today, only half the meat from a carcass ends up on the supermarket counter - but not so long ago meals made of offal were welcomed by hungry families. The programme will follow Heather as she selects and buys a Highland bull, sees it slaughtered and butchered, and cooks all the parts that modern diners turn their noses up at.



http://www.caledonia.tv/

Plug for TV programme Tuesday evening

Lachlan Macquarie - The Father of Australia

Please forgive  this slightly off-topic and quite shameless plug for a TV programme to be shown on BBC Scotland next Wednesday.  Directed by my good friend Les Wilson, who has a house in Port Charlotte, it is narrated by David Tennant so should also appeal to all you Whooies out there...  Macquarie was born on the island of Ulva.

Below is a link to the Caledonia TV website which has a video preview of the drama documentary.

Caledonia TV - Video Clip

Carl

Loch Indaal Lighthouse

Loch Indaal lighthouse was built by the Stevenson family (of Robert Louis Stevenson/Treasure Island) in 1869.  The original Victorian clockwork interior was intact until the building was 'modernised' by the Northern Lighthouse Board around the year 2003.

It is an excellent place to watch for otters as the rocks beneath the tower offer a good view up and down the coast in an area where they are often seen.

The story of the "Lighthouse Stevensons" is to be told by a Caledonia TV programme currently in production for BBC Scotland early next year.

Les Wilson, the director and a partner in Caledonia TV has a house in Port Charlotte.

The Lighthouse Stevensons