Wild weather fails to deter hardy Gigha festival-goers
With days of scorching weather in the week preceding, it was hoped that this year’s Isle of Gigha Music Festival would bask in glorious sunshine.
It wasn’t to be, however, as Loch Fyne Pipe Band’s first performance last Saturday afternoon was accompanied by thunder, lightning and pouring rain and, shortly afterwards, hailstones described by one person as ‘the size of hazelnuts’ fell from the sky.
The varied weather failed to put a dampener on anyone’s spirits as the festival-goers donned wellington boots and raincoats until the showers passed.
As well as two rousing performances from the pipe band, there was a variety of music to enjoy throughout the day, including a singing workshop with Ellie Logan and music from accordionist Alex MacKinnon and up-and-coming young
Campbeltown band The Endorphins, at the Gigha Gallery.
Later in the afternoon, there was an open-mic session at the gallery, while Mid Argyll band None The Wiser returned to the Boathouse to entertain the crowd with catchy retro classics.
The weather made no difference to those at the main music festival concert in the evening, as the whole event was held in Gigha Hall.
Chris Stout and Catriona
McKay performed the first concert set, with Fiona Hunter taking to the stage for the second. Chris and Catriona joined Fiona for a tune, as they had previously collaborated during the 2019 Celtic Connections earlier this year.
Kintyre’s own traditional band Rhuvaal took over for the late evening ceilidh – which featured the usual storming Gigha dancing for which the festival has become renowned.