Actor, writer and broadcaster, Sanjeev Singh Kohli, was in Straiton recently undertaking research for a new Radio 4 programme which he will be presenting. The show will feature the village’s reaction to Mr Zhou Jing Liang buying Blairquhan Castle.
They discovered that reaction was all positive; Blairquhan was voted one of Britain’s best wedding venues and the new owners have expanded and improved on this foundation established by Sir Patrick and Lady Marguerite Hunter Blair. Their continued and growing success as a wedding and business venue brings benefits to the village, provides employment and support for local businesses. Thousands of visitors come to Blairquhan each year and discover the beautiful scenery, great walks and cycling, Straiton has to offer and plan their return visit.
Viewers of Still Game will know Sanjeev as Navid, the droll corner shop keeper in Glasgow. He is now taken on his first serious acting role in River City. Filming takes place a few months in advance and Sanjeev has had to learn several verses of Tam O’ Shanter; ever the professional Sanjeev learnt the whole poem, and proceeded to reel off lines in a perfect Burns dialect. He has also recently learnt Gaelic for a new BBC Alba documentary.
The radio programme will be broadcast in December, keep an eye out for future posts on this site over the coming weeks when we’ll let you know the title, date and time.