Inveraray

INVERARAY Castle welcomed its 100,000th visitor for the 2016 season, before it even finished on October 31

he Duke of Argyll and his family, along with the rest of the castle staff, welcomed John and Anne Butterworth from Bolton as the 100,000th visitor through the door.

The Duke expressed his delight at the huge rise in visitor numbers, which is a massive increase on last year’s numbers. ‘Not only is this excellent news for the castle and the rest of Inveraray,’ he said, ‘it is also indicative of how popular Argyll has become as a holiday destination for both overseas and domestic visitors.’ CHAIRMAN Niall Iain MacLean welcomed a near capacity crowd to the first meeting of the season of Inveraray and District Accordion and Fiddle Club in the Inveraray Inn on October 12.

Supporting players were Fyne Folk with Sally Hall, Jake MacKay and Alex John MacLeod on fiddles and Agnes Liddell on keyboard. Also giving a tune were Colin Sutcliffe on melodeon, Charlie Soane on fiddle, newcomer to Inveraray Alison Diamond, also on fiddle, accompanied by Jimmy MacDonald on keyboard, Pat Slattery on fiddle, Jake MacKay and Agnes Liddell on ‘moothie’ and keyboard, playing some of the tracks from Jake’s recently released CD One Man and his Moothie.

Guest artistes were the Nicky McMichan Trio with Nicky on lead accordion, Martainn Skene on second box and Wullie Scott on drums. They entertained with a fine variety of sets, with pipe marches their most popular choice, which was well suited to the West Coast, with Nicky and Martainn swapping first and second box from time to time.

A vote of thanks was given to all the players for getting the club off to such a good start.