Robert in lockdown
As I’ve highlighted numerous times over the past year, online events have many advantages over the traditional concert or cèilidh.
A number of these were in evidence last Friday evening during the virtual Mull and Iona Annual Gathering - not least that no-one had to worry about missing the concert due to the closure of the Rest and be Thankful.
Just as well, because it was a concert not to be missed.
Starting as always with I See Mull from The Mull and Iona Association Pipers and finishing with the traditional rendition of An t-Eilean Muileach and Soraidh Leibh is Oidhche Mhath Leibh, the intervening hour and a quarter was packed full of wonderful performers as well as some stunning footage from the islands.
The performers were too many to mention but, again, the fact this concert was online allowed a huge number of singers, musicians and speakers across all generations to contribute to what was a perfectly varied evening. Guest speakers were Sir Lachlan MacLean, Dr Mairi MacArthur, Gordon Buchanan and Rhoda MacInnes who all had interesting things to say about the islands.
As well as individuals, there were some highly impressive collaborative efforts.
Mull Gaelic Choir, with each of its members recording and filming remotely, gave a fantastic rendition of Runrig’s Air an Traigh and the specially formed Mull and Iona Association Scottish Dance Band as well as Robert MacLeod’s Virtual Dance Band made sure that, in true Mull and Iona fashion, Scottish dance music was well represented. The programme was put together by Ross Wilson and Shannon MacLean and linked brilliantly by the Gaelic voice over of Kirsty MacKinnon.
Much of it is still available on Facebook and YouTube and I really do recommend you take a look. In ‘normal’ times, islanders always support their association events in Glasgow by travelling down the road and spending a weekend between the Park Bar, the Snaffle Bit, the Islay Inn, and the Glasgow Uni Union but there are always many, perhaps the elderly or those with work commitments, who miss out on the party. The first annual ‘soirée concert and ball’ of the Mull and Iona Association was way back in 1867 and, since the formation of all the kindred associations in that era, their central concept has been to help islanders in the city and back home.
Over the years, the type of assistance required has varied greatly, as you can imagine. The online nature of this most recent event allowed everyone to be involved and I dare say, in the middle of lockdown and the depth of winter, it was an evening that brought a lot of much-needed joy into people’s lives. Proof, I think, that more than 150 years after its inception and thanks to the current generation of dedicated members, the association is still serving its original purpose.