Anne McAlpine was born on 5 May 1986 in Stornoway, Outer Hebrides, and grew up as the youngest of four daughters in a Gaelic-speaking community in Newmarket, Lewis.

She began her broadcasting career as a contributor to the Gaelic-language BBC programme Dè a-Nis?, later working with independent production company MNE Media before becoming a main presenter on BBC Alba’s European current affairs show Eòrpa.

McAlpine now presents Landward, BBC Scotland’s rural affairs programme, alongside late-bulletin shifts on Reporting Scotland. She also anchors the Gaelic news show An Là and narrates Scotland’s Home of the Year, both for BBC Scotland/BBC Alba.

She married cameraman Ken McAlpine, a former member of Britpop band The Supernaturals, in February 2022, having met him while working on Eòrpa and the couple live in Glasgow’s West End. She has recently talked about the struggle with 4-year stalking ordeal that almost made her consider quitting her public career.