Glasgow Letter

I write to you this week from Berkeley 2 rehearsal studios in Lancefield Street, Glasgow, as Tide Lines put the finishing touches on our set before heading off on tour for the next month or so.

Tomorrow, Friday March 3, we are releasing our new album, An Ocean Full of Islands, then immediately heading out to play across the UK.

The album was recorded on the Isle of Mull where each day we looked over Bunessan bay onto an ocean full of islands!

I am including this in the Glasgow Letter because the live shows culminate in our biggest gig yet in Glasgow’s Queen’s Park on Friday June 23.

You may have spotted myself and the lads clowning about on social media recently in a two-man tent in Queen’s Park to announce the gig. Thankfully, we’ll have a much bigger “big top” tent with various food vendors and bars, giving the show a real festival feel. We’ll also have a load of special guests who we will be announcing very soon.

Head over to our website for more details of the gig and the album which is available on CD, vinyl, or even cassette; but also across all streaming platforms.

Over the coming weeks, I will probably be writing this article from all sorts of bizarre locations – from motorway service stations; to backstage rooms in venues throughout the country. I will be keeping a keen ear on what’s happening back in Glasgow, though, so I can report it to the best of my ability.

Which brings me onto a few events coming up over the next fortnight.

Through in Edinburgh, the Comunn Tir nam Beann Dun Èideann are holding a ceilidh on Saturday (March 4). Singers will be Rena Gertz and Norman MacKinnon; Neil MacLure will play the pipes, and Janet and Moray Grigor will provide Gaelic music and song.

This all takes place in the Augustine United Church on George IV Bridge at 7.30pm with doors opening at 7pm. Admission for members is £5 and £6 for non members. There is no need to book tickets and children can attend for free.

Back in Glasgow, the Tiree Association recently announced their next event on Facebook for Saturday March 11 – a whist drive! The last one they held was in 2020 just before lockdown put a halt to all events and gatherings.

All ages and whist abilities are welcome and you can get in touch with the committee if you would like a reminder of how to play.

The event takes place in the Crawford Hall, Beith Street, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 which includes tea, coffee, and home baking at half time.