Glasgow Letter
Clydebank ceilidh
A good turnout of patrons and excellent entertainment from the artistes ensured the Clydebank Highlanders had a great night last Friday. George Paul was the chairman, and the singers were Rena Gertz, Kirsteen Dick, Frank McCamley and Kirsty Harkins. Charles MacLeod played the box and Luke Pringle was the piper. Kirsteen Grant was the accompanist for the evening, although Kirsty Harkins was accompanied by Carol MacLean. The Clydebank Highlanders are now looking forward to their supper/ceilidh/dance on Saturday March 18 to the sound of the Charlie Kirkpatrick Band. Details of the dance can be obtained from 01389 879749.
Finishing off the season
Comunn an Taobh-an- Iar will hold their final ceilidh of this session tonight (Thursday March 16) at 7.30pm in the Ellangowan Social Club, Milngavie. The Fear an Taighe for the evening will be Peter MacDonald, and the singers are Marina MacLeod, Catriona Watt, Donald Iain Brown and Seumas Campbell. Shona Masson is the fiddle player for the evening, James Forrest is the piper and Kirsteen Grant will accompany the singers. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available at the interval. Admission is £7 and is payable at the door, where raffle tickets will also be on sale for £1 per strip of five. This closing ceilidh is the association’s last function of the session before the AGM on Thursday May 11 at 7.30pm (also in the Ellangowan Social Club) to which all members are invited.
Govan choir returns to roots
Govan Gaelic Choir is going back to its roots for a ceilidh/concert to be held in the Pearce Institute, in Govan, tomorrow (Friday March 17) at 7.30pm. The Pearce Institute is very close to the Govan Subway. It will be an evening of choir singing, of course, but there will also be performances by soloists and instrumentalists. Dance music will be provided by Charlie Kirkpatrick and the young Govan Pipers will give a tune or two on the pipes. Tickets are £ 5, including tea. I am told that those those requiring stronger sustenance can feel free to bring their own bottle.
Le Mùirn
This year’s Aye Write Festival celebrates the recent bilingual publication of Ceòl ‘s Craic’s first book, Le Mùirn, by Catriona Murray, which traces the relationship between ‘Melbost Bard’ Murdo MacFarlane and Margaret MacLeod of the trailblazing Gaelic group Na h-Òganaich. Saturday March 18 will be an evening of conversation and song in the company of author Catriona Murrary, singer Margaret MacLeod and Ceòl ‘s Craic project director Ishbel Murray. There will be readings from the book (in Gaelic and English), followed by a Q&A session exploring the creative process be- hind the publication. The evening begins at 8.15pm in the Mitchell Library.
What’s on
Friday March 17: The Glasgow Skye Association Cothrom na h- Òigridh ( youth concert), Crawford Hall, Beith Street. Saturday March 18: Clydebank Highlanders’ supper dance in the Napier Hall, Old Kilpatrick, to the music of Charlie Kirkpatrick’s Band. Tickets £15, BYOB. Friday March 31: The Glasgow Uist and Barra Association ceilidh dance in the Crawford Hall, Beith Street.
Pub scene
Park Bar. Friday: Trail West. Saturday and Sunday: Robert Robertson. Islay Inn Friday March 17: Mooki. Saturday March 18: The Raggaels.