BBC names Scottish soap

The soap is set in a fictional part of Glasgow

BBC Scotland has revealed the name of its new peak-time soap opera - River City.

The programme, which will hit television screens north of the border in September, is being filmed at a purpose-built set in Dumbarton, near Glasgow.

The twice-weekly show is set in a Glasgow community on the banks of the River Clyde.

The set has been built in Dumbarton

The BBC's first regular Scottish soap will take up a large part of the £14m investment in regional programming announced by BBC director general Greg Dyke in November 2000.

Scotland's answer to Albert Square will be the fictional area of Shieldinch, which is based on several parts of Glasgow.

Executive producer Barbara McKissack said the choice of title reflected the debt that Glasgow owed to its main river.

"I think the great thing about River City is that it taps into Clyde as something that is always important to Glasgow, and now it is part of the regeneration of the city," she said.

The soap's regular cast of 23 combines well-known actors such as music hall stalwart Johnny Beattie with newcomers and younger actors.

Tanning salon

The huge outdoor set built at the disused J&B Whisky bottling plant features four sandstone tenement buildings.

The locations will include the Shieldinch Boatyard, the Oyster Cafe, a tanning salon, a trendy design firm and the Tall Ship pub.

Shooting began in June for the soap, which will only be screened north of the border.

I think this represents city life in Scotland as most of those who live in it know it.

Barbara McKissack
Executive producer

"I'm happy that it is a show for Scotland and that it is not being put around the whole of the UK," said Ms McKissack.

"I think it is fantastic that the BBC is making an investment in the country."

She said that she was very happy with the show, which she described as a good representation of modern Scotland.

"It is a primetime slot so it has to appeal to all people," she added.

"I think this represents city life in Scotland as most of those who live in it know it.

"It is a multicultural community and represents quite a different sort of life than what ITV tried to do with High Road."

Story lines

BBC Scotland said it was committed to running River City for at least one year.

A spokeswoman said: "It has quite a high proportion of young people in it.

"There's a few hunky-looking guys and good-looking girls.

"The initial story lines are about the Tall Ship opening a restaurant and the problems to do with that."