Glasgow Letter
Gathering season resumes
THE FIRST annual gathering of the calendar year is upon us as the Mull and Iona Association gear up for their big night on Friday in the Glasgow University Union.
I am looking forward to a wee night off to attend the concert and enjoy some wonderful singing and playing. The concert begins at 7.30pm.
Mòd gold medallist Rachel Walker will be performing. Rachel is, of course, a very wellknown and much-loved Gaelic singer but this will perhaps be some people’s first opportunity to hear her since she won the coveted prize in October.
Fiona Hunter (whose band, Malinky, are a favourite of mine) is a fantastic Scots singer so will bring some variety to the evening.
Young Shannon Maclean from Tobermory was in the gold medal final last year and it’s great to see her on the programme. The gold medal will be heading her way at some point in the coming years, for sure.
Ian Smith (president of the Tiree Association) will give a few tunes on the box and perhaps a few songs as well.
It is customary that the winner of the Sarah Weir Memorial Trophy (a trophy sponsored by the association every year at the Royal National Mòd) performs at the gathering and, this time round, that winner is Emma Deans.
Let’s not forget the Mull and Iona pipers, who will start the evening off.
Once the concert finishes, the crowd will pile in for the dance - many of them having walked along the Kelvin Way where they will have allowed themselves a pre-dance libation or two in establishments such as the Park Bar, the Islay Inn and/or the Snaffle Bit.
Fresh (or perhaps not so fresh) from their recent trip for a gig in Singapore, Trail West will play for the dance in the same venue which (as usual at such events) will begin at a fairly flexible 10.30pm and go on until the small hours of the morning.
Having written this preview of the evening, I have worked up a great sense of anticipation and, my goodness, I now can’t wait until Friday.
Get your tickets from themullandiona@ gmail.com or the Park Bar. I’m off to brush up on the chorus of An t-Eilean Muileach. See you there!
What’s on
Saturday February 17: Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association Marag supper in the Partick Burgh (Lesser) Hall with Mairi MacLean, Rory MacDiarmaid, and Charles Macleod, starting at 7.30pm. Saturday February 17: The Highlanders’ Club ceilidh dance in the Partick Burgh Hall, 8pm - 11pm, to the music of Martainn Skene’s Band.
Friday February 23: The Glasgow Uist and Barra Association ceilidh dance in the Crawford Hall, Beith Street, at 9pm. Saturday February 24: The Glasgow Skye Association Buntata ’s Sgadan in the Crawford Hall at 7.30pm.
Pub scene
Islay Inn. Friday February 16: Crooked Reel. Saturday February 17: Mookie.
Park Bar. Friday February 16: Nicky McMichan and Martin Pottinger. Saturday February 17: Eriskay Lilt. Sunday February 18: Nicky McMichan and Martin Pottinger.