Angus MacLeod

MG ALBA, the organisation which delivers Gaelic media to audiences across Scotland, the UK and beyond, including via Gaelic-language TV channel and national broadcaster BBC ALBA, has awarded its three-year legal services contract jointly to WJM and Anderson Strathern LLP.

WJM has worked with MG ALBA, who are based in Stornoway and Glasgow, since 2012 and itself has strong connections to the Highlands and Islands, as well as Gaelic culture across Scotland.

The agreement will see WJM continue on MG ALBA’s panel of legal advisors to assist in areas such as general media law and intellectual property rights queries, broadcast rights agreements, programme purchase agreements, trademarks and copyright matters, employment law advice, compliance and other areas as and when required.

Partner and head of the Inverness office, Angus MacLeod, who is also a Gaelic speaker and former Mòd medal winner, said: “This is a significant contract renewal for the firm as a whole, but particularly for our team here in Inverness as we look to continue to strengthen our client base in the local area.

“Highland culture, and Gaelic culture in turn, is hugely important to me personally and I know that is also the case for many others across the firm.

“Working with MG ALBA, which does a wonderful job championing Gaelic as a national cultural asset as well as a vibrant, living language, is something we are very proud of and we are excited to continue our excellent working relationship.”

MG ALBA has enjoyed a record-breaking year as its Gaelic drama has gone global, marking a transformative year for Gaelic broadcasting with record digital viewing figures, a landmark drama series, and a renewed call for fair and sustainable funding.

An t-Eilean – a gripping crime thriller filmed on location in Harris – was the most successful Gaelic TV programme ever made. In 2025 alone, it drew almost 2 million BBC iPlayer views and picked up the Grand Prix for the best TV show in European regional television at Circom’s Awards in Barcelona in May 2025.

Now with BAFTA Scotland and Indielab Innovation nominations, this standout performance highlights the impact of high-quality Gaelic drama and its growing national and international appeal.

Donnie Macdonald, MG ALBA’s head of business, said: “We are delighted to renew our engagement with Angus and the WJM team, and we look forward to continuing to work with such a knowledgeable, responsive and supportive firm.

“The media landscape is changing fast, and we need more than ever the confidence and assurance that comes from good advice and documentation.”