Andrea Mullaney: Worthy winners emerge from a small pool

WE’RE a small country, with a small TV industry, so occasionally the nominations for Bafta Scotland have involved someone with a long-handled spoon and a small barrel.

Though the ceremony is now biannual, it must be hard to ensure that all the potential prize-winners are of a genuinely exceptional standard. This year, for instance, BBC Scotland’s Field Of Blood soaked up all three of the acting nominations, with the prize going to its leading lady Jayd Johnson. While it was certainly competently played by all concerned, that feels like overkill.

Again, in the entertainment category, all three nominees were made by just one production company, The Comedy Unit, ensuring that they’d have a new award for their trophy cabinet whatever happened. Still, it can’t be denied that Burnistoun, Rab C Nesbitt and winner Limmy’s Show are all very different entities. And for Limmy, aka Brian Limond, the prize must be a consolation, as he is the only one of the three whose show hasn’t yet been picked up for transmission down south.

The merit of documentary The Scheme was overshadowed by the many controversies around its portrayal of a Kilmarnock estate. While its makers may feel vindicated, their award is unlikely to change fixed opinions. Yet at least it went to a genuine TV landmark which is sure to be remembered for years, even if not for quite the right reasons.

• Andrea Mullaney is a TV critic for The Scotsman.