Glasgow Letter
Sunny Lochgoilhead
The sun shone on Lochgoilhead last weekend for the second annual Gig in the Goil – a unique festival that is geographically handy for those based in Glasgow but also very Highland.
Festival goers were sunning themselves in the beer garden, there was a selection of fantastic bands, and the stunning location made the weekend a resounding success – and people have already paid their deposits for next year.
Off his trolley
A friend of mine, Iain Beggs from the island of Barra, was departing Glasgow on Friday afternoon to drive up to Gig in the Goil.
Before he left, he stopped off at Asda in Govan for some supplies. In the supermarket, he bumped into an acquaintance who was also heading to Lochgoilhead.
Standing in the queue for the till, Iain (or Beggs, as he is affectionately known) thought his friend was directly behind him. Looking at the contents of their trolley, he spotted a particularly appetising pack of pork chops.
Grabbing the package out of the trolley, he waved them in the air, crying: 'Oh, so you’re going to be cooking us some pork chops this weekend then!'
The realisation then struck him that he was not, in fact, speaking to his friend but had instead waved the chops in the face of a very confused elderly lady from Govan.
Iain made his apologies, went back out into the sunshine, and headed up the A82 to Lochgoilhead with a hilarious story to tell everybody – and leaving behind an extremely baffled Govan cailleach.
Clydebank ceilidh
Clydebank Highland Association recently held its annual ceilidh in aid of Erskine.
Although audience numbers were disappointing, the those in attendance (including veterans from Erskine) enjoyed singing and music of the very highest calibre and showed their appreciation to all the artistes.
The chairman was the Rev Jonathan Fleming, chaplain for the hospital. Sheena Walker, Eilidh Cormack, and Norman MacKinnon sang in both Gaelic and English. Beth Street gave lovely renditions of songs from the shows and all were ably accompanied by Kirsteen Grant. Alasdair MacPhail's music on the accordion had feet tapping and the ceilidh got off to a rousing start from pipers, Robert Wood and Ian MacPhee.
The association is extremely grateful to all who donated money and raffle prizes to this very worthy cause and also to those who donated miniatures and bottles of whisky and wine to the veterans – making sure they all went home happy. The amount raised will be announced at a later date.
The AGM of the association will be held in the Asbestos Group on Wednesday May 17 at 7.30pm.
Glasgow Skye
The Glasgow Skye Association's closing concert, The Wee Skye, was held on Saturday April 29 in the Crawford Hall, with Alasdair MacMillan as the genial and entertaining chairman.
Piper John Gillies and singers Màiri McGillivray, Sheena Walker, Seumas Campbell, and Norman MacKinnon were all in fine form. The star of the evening, however, was young accordionist, Ryan Corbett, who mesmerised the audience with his brilliant playing.
The final function of the Skye session is the social evening in the Redhurst Hotel, Giffnock, on Friday June 9 at 7.30pm. As this is a function with a high tea, the secretary, Karen Campbell, needs to let the hotel know the numbers attending and their meal choices and special dietary requirements by Monday June 5.
Mull and Iona Association AGM
The Mull and Iona AGM will be held on June 7 in An Lèanag, Mansfield Square, at 7pm.
The association received a good response to last year’s pledge for new committee members, and is consequently fortunate enough to have sustainable committee numbers.
This committee is always looking for keen and committed new members as it turns its attention towards the 2018 gathering.
Last year’s Mull and Iona gathering was a resounding success and, through the ticket sales and the raffle, the association raised a large sum of money that will be distributed among local island groups and charities to be decided upon at the forthcoming AGM.
For any more information about the Mull and Iona, contact themullandiona@gmail.com.
What’s on
Thursday May 11: Comunn-an- Taobh-an- Iar annual general meeting in the Ellangowan Social Club, Milngavie. Thursday May 18: Donald Black album launch in the College of Piping, Otago Street. Friday May 26: The Uist and Barra Association annual general meeting in Lourdes Secondary School. Wednesday June 7: The Glasgow Skye Association annual general m eeting in Partick Burgh Hall.
Pub scene
Islay Inn. Friday May 12: Crooked Reel. Saturday May 13: The Raggaels.