Grand stramash at accordion and fiddle club night

THE chairman, Niall Iain MacLean, welcomed a full house at the February meeting of the Inveraray and District Accordion and Fiddle Club held in the Inveraray Inn.

Supporting players were in abundance – Fyne Folk, with Alex John MacLeod, Sally Hall and Jake MacKay on fiddles and Agnes Liddell on keyboard; on accordion were Calum MacDonald, Alex MacKinnon, Marshall Harkness and Alan Clark; on melodeon was Sandy Carr; on fiddle was Charlie Soane; on ‘ moothie’ was Jake MacKay; and also there were Dalriada Ceilidh Band with Myles Clark on accordion, Steve Hunter on guitar and Grant MacDougall on drums.

The guest artists were Shetlander, Gemma Donald on fiddle and Alan Small on accordion, and they enthralled the audience with a superb, well-rehearsed programme, coupled with cheery banter throughout.

Gemma put the fiddle aside and picked up a five-row button box, which she is learning,

and played The Jacque

line Waltz quite beautifully and later sang a couple of songs – what versatility.

Then 11.30pm was fast approaching but the audience were in no hurry to leave such was their enjoyment of the music. However, a hearty vote of thanks to all the players was followed by a grand stramash.

Next week the club looks forward welcoming back the popular Ian Muir Trio from Prestwick. Report by Margaret Mather.