Another BBC Radio Scotland music show has scheduled for cancellation, as part of the new regime which purports to offer speech-based programming in the daytime and music in the evenings.

However, Global Gathering is a music-based evening show, so the reasons for its axing are unclear. However, Mary Ann Kennedy – herself an accomplished musician as well as presenter – is set to follow the path of Janice Forsyth, with the Corporation claiming that the presenter will continue to work for the Beeb on other shows.

There is general bafflement at this news, not least because the plan seems to be to replace Global Gathering with a weekly, revamped Classics Unwrapped programme, which will look at the classical music scene in Scotland. As has been remarked, classical music is hardly in short supply with the lighter end of the spectrum catered for on Jazz FM, while Radio 3 is available for the more serious muso. And, while the classical musical scene here may be in need of some support, the mix of indigenous and world music which Global Gathering – originally called Celtic Connections – promotes is one which a few years ago Radio Scotland would have been rather more supportive of.

Petition details to follow.