It’s been a busy year but now winding down (I Hope) Had a busy Celtic Connections in January and gigs after that with Kathleen MacInnes, Griogair Lawrie, The Brothers, John McCusker, Mairead Stewart, Iain MacFarlane.

 

The Summer took in a few festivals like the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway. Feis an Eilein in Skye with Cathy Ann MacPhee. Cambridge Folk Festival with John McCusker’s ‘Under one Sky’ gig. There is a possibility that this will go on tour in Scotland and England next year. Ceòlas was busy as usual, in fact the busiest to date and  very enjoyable all round. A couple of trips to Ireland and France in between.

 

I did a wee tour in the North of Scotland in September with Kathleen MacInnes, Iain MacFarlane and Ross Martin and we had a great week.

 

November saw a trip to Armagh with Iain MacFarlane and Allan Henderson to play at the William Kennedy Piping Festival. This is one of the piping highlights of the year and was very enjoyable.

 

I have finished producing  5 CD’s this year. The first to finish was Archie MacAllisters CD ‘Fiddlers Rock’.

 

The second one was Griogair Lawrie’s CD  ‘Dalriata’ and was Launched at Ceòlas in July.

 

The Third one was Dàimh’s CD  ‘Crossing Point’ and was Launched at ‘Piping Live’ in August.

 

The fourth was ‘Oirfeid Uibhist’ which is a recording of the Live Piping Concert from Ceòlas last year. 16 top pipers from Scotland & Ireland including a triple pipe player from Sardinia! This can be ordered from Ceòlas directly,  www.ceolas.co.uk

 
  

I am heading for Celtic Connections again this year with 5 different gigs, Opening night on the 16^th, Benbecula College Night 17^th, Mairead Stewart Concert on the 24^th, Griogair Lawrie’s gig on the 26^th and Allan (Brother) gig on the 31^st.

 

Mairead Stewarts  CD now out entitled 'Togaidh Mi mo Sheolta'  The road less travelled.

 Slàinte!