Mull’s mega music fest
How far would you
Mull Music Festival?
Veterinary student Willem Bassoon made a journey of more than 13,500 miles from the University of Pretoria in South Africa to make it and meet up with his pen pal Tara Brisbane from Blair Drummond and her friend Kirsten McAllister.
The trip was well worth the effort said Willem, who set up camp in Tobermory with his friends for the three-day event that kicked off on Friday April 21.
“I’d heard so much about it from Tara that I decided to come and experience it for myself. It’s a great festival, well worth travelling for,” he said.
More than 2,000 people were at the festival - others who voyaged to Tobermory for the music extravaganza were members of the Royal travel for
Highland Yacht Club and its social sailing network, based in Oban. They were cruising in memory of Roger Rhodes, the founding member of the social sailing network. In the sunshine they raised a glass to Mr Rhodes from North Connel, who passed away recently and loved Mull Music festival.
“He would’ve been tickled pink, he was a big fan,” said Philippa Clarke.
Sunshine sent temperatures soaring as the crowds crammed pubs and mingled outside enjoying all the bands. The Main Street pharmacy even ran out of sun lotion.
The Laurettes at MacGochans were a big hit, just back from New York. Lochgilphead’s Archie McAllister at The Mishnish was, as ever, powerfully impressive on the fiddle, and Argyll band Rhuvaal were equally rousing - all the acts put the festival in full swing.
The Western Isles Hotel was back on the festival scene this year, The Park Hotel also lined up bands at the top of town perched above the harbour.
The yellow-fronted Mishnish put on 80 hours of music over the weekend and Mull Music Festival organiser Neil Morrison of MacGochans on the waterfront said: “It was another fantastic weekend. It was great to see a lot of old faces come back and lots of new ones too. It grows every year, everyone just comes and gets involved and has a good time. We’re already looking forward to doing it all over again next year.”