Scalpach singer in TV commercial

Scalpach Dòl Eoin MacKinnon, and his band Macanta are fronting Caledonian MacBrayne’s 2015 promotional campaign.

They star in a TV commercial which kicks off on Monday (May 11) at 8.45pm on STV during Coronation Street.

Using the music of Britpop group Supergrass, Macanta – with other band members drawn from Mull, Shetland, Tain and Glasgow – add a Celtic twist to the huge hit Alright, which becomes a winding path through just some of what the islands have to offer, with the islanders themselves singing the words.

The advert was filmed on Mull, Iona, Tiree, and in Oban.

“It was really good fun making this advert for CalMac,” said Dòl Eoin, lead singer and mandolin player in the video.

“Islanders are a friendly and fun bunch, and we hope that comes across on the telly and in the music video.”

The 29-year-old added: “I see every holiday I get as an opportunity to go home to Scalpay and Harris; it’s just so beautiful and welcoming. I also love taking friends to the islands as I see all the things I took for granted anew.

“My mum has a B&B and self-catering, and she absolutely loves meeting and welcoming people from all over.”

Unlike many promotional campaigns, there was no need to use actors – the islanders themselves were eager to step forward and threw themselves into it with passion and enthusiasm.

Macanta’s unique version of Alright is available on iTunes.

Scalpach singer fronts music for TV commercial

5 May 2015