I enjoyed shooting the Scottish Ballet and sorting into black and white - http://pkimage.co.uk/scottishballet
Monday 27 July 2015
``Gaelic Traditions and Culloden
There are false myths of Gaelic traditions and of the battle
of Culloden.
I grew up in
Edinburgh and I have always believed that the battle of Culloden 1746 (near Inverness) was a big defeat of the Scots by the
English with a great many Scots killed.
It turns out
that the battle was part of a civil war and a religious battle between
Protestants and Catholics.
When Queen
Ann had no successors to protect the stability of Protestantism and because of
concern over the wars with France - the English parliament brought over George of
Hanover to succeed her. On the Hanoverian side were English, German and Scottish
troops.
On Charles
Edward Stuart’s side (Bonnie Prince Charlie) were Scottish, French and English
troops. For instance the MacDonalds of Skye were on the Hanoverian side.
Considering the importance of the Protestant movement in Scotland much of the Scottish Lowlands did not support the Jacobites (John Knox
1514). There was also an English Civil war of
1642 – 1679, between cavaliers and roundheads.
Gaelic
speaker Coinneach Maclean The nephews of the great Gaelic poet Sorely Maclean,
has been writing up his thesis at Glasgow university and he has been lecturing
on Gaeldom. After studying for a tourist guide qualification at Edinburgh
university, he was shocked at the total lack of Gaelic history in the course.
In fact he claims the tourist course was full of factual errors. Tourism is a
big industry for Scotland and it matters greatly that correct and authentic
accounts are given to visitors.
According to
Tom Devine the Episcopalian church were greatly worried about the Union and many
were Jacobites. Religion played a much
bigger part then today.
Has
Gaelic culture been written out of Scotland’s Story? David Ross, The Herald.
Coinneach
Maclean, former deputy chief executive of the National Trust for Scotland and
acedemic, says the country is squandering an irreplaceable heritage while
making billions from it
Saturday 18 July 2015
Scottish Samurai
He was the Victorian Scotsman
credited with helping to make Japan a modern industrial nation. A new exhibit
Aberdeen’s Maritime Museum and a visitor trail exploring the life of Glover
have been created to highlight the Scot’s place in Scottish-Japanese history.
The booklet and trail were presented to the custodians of Thomas Glover House
and Gardens in Nagasaki by the Cabinet secretary for culture, Europe and
external affairs, Fiona Hyslop.
Japan and Scotland are celebrating the "Scottish Samurai" for helping to unite different cultures across the seas - Thomas Glover. - http://www.japantimes.co./the-scot-who-shaped-japan/
Friday 10 July 2015
Peggy Seeger Oran Mor
The
timeless story of songs and words
I enjoyed a
gig last week at the Oran Mor Glasgow with the delicate clear voice of folk
legend Peggy Seeger (wife of renowned folk songwriter Ewan MacColl) She sparkled and shone at the age of
80 and took us into her world of music. She said that it is only music that uses all
of our minds.
What a lovely classy, dedicated and informed
lady! She offered us some of her
collection of stories she held in a large notebook – some were funny, some
profound and some moving. Seeger is an accomplished musician and the
daughter of folklorist Charles Seeger and her brother is the American folk
singer songwriter Pete Seeger.
The Gig
Peggy played a full set with her two sons from 7.30 to 10, (there was no
support) with a twenty minute interval. I was glad I wasn’t late! I feel sure it must take careful thought to
choose from a lifetime catalogue of traditional folk songs and stories to
chose from. Peggy beamed and showered little pearls of wisdom.
They began the set with the traditional folk song Hard Times. They sang of
longings and of good times and the words, “The dark rolling sea between you and
me, How I long for the days gone by.“ Neill and Callum sang Freight Train and also a couple of unaccompanied
songs.
She clearly enjoyed sharing the stage with her two sons with Neill and
Callum, who provided lovely blended
backing harmonies and guitar. They played some traditional folk instruments - autoharp, banjo, guitar, concertina and
piano. Ewan and Callum sang Freight Train. and also a couple of
unaccompanied songs.
The family trio finished the set with the life-affirming Ewan song The
Joy of Living. For their encore Peggy treated us to the real version of MacColl’s
most famous song, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Folk artists sing
with a realism and true heart and never over sing or over do the emotions.
There are no pretensions or airs or graces around Peggy. She stood for several
songs and for others she clutched her instruments. Occasionally she waved her
hands and arms wide. Peggy beamed and showered little pearls of wisdom. It was heartening to see Peggy still full of joie de vivre and ready to command the stage! At 80, not only is she wise and like the highest quality red wine, she is still challenging herself to be fresh and relevant.
After
Ewan died Peggy returned to America. She returned to the UK in 2010 and has
recorded her first ever solo album which marks a musical rebirth after she suffered from serious ill health. In 2015 Peggy released Everything Changes. She has said that she enjoyed greatly working with a full session band for the album, which was produced by her son Calum MacColl and features musicians Simon Edwards (Talk Talk, Kirsty MacColl), James Hallawell (The Waterboys, David Gray), Martyn Barker (Shriekback, Goldfrapp) and Kate St John (Dream Academy, Nick Drake).
I was pleased with my photos and hope they tell the story of the gig -
it is always a challenge and at a classy gig like this full of dedicated folk
fans I don’t like to disturb the set and I always aim to be discreet. I take photos either seated or at the side.
This was a family affair with her sister-in-law managing the tour.
Women need to say STOP!
One story from Peggy stood out – about an Amazon tribe where
they considered the men tended to be destructive – they cut down trees for
canoes, they killed animals for food and they fought wars. Wheras the women
were the nurturers of the crops and the children. So they felt the women needed
to tell the men when to stop. They would say STOP, we have enough canoes stop
cutting down trees. They would say we have enough to eat, STOP killing animals.
We don’t need any more wars STOP! When one of the tribe visited the western
world she wondered why there were only male voices to be heard and why the
women were not saying STOP.
Music is the healer and motivator.
Thursday 9 July 2015
NEW MugStock music festival 2015
Mugdock Park, just north of Glasgow will host a new music fstival in August 2015. The project has brought together an eclectic and quality line up of local and international talent. It will also include family and fun entertainment for all ages.
I have seen some of these artists
live and can vouch for their being of the highest standard – there is a quality
indie element here.
Back in 2007, I took photos at the
first Mugdock music festival - http://pkimage.co.uk/mustockfestival
 |
| Broken Records |
Line-up
Preston Reed, Orkestra del Sol, Siobhan Wilson,
Dave Arcari, The Amorettes, Colonel Mustard & the Dijon 5, Theremin Hero,
Mickey 9s, The Girobabies, Broken Records, Jamie & Shoonie, Scunner, Mammal Hands, Scunner,
and Mr Boom!.
MugStock Festival of Music and Merriment takes
place at Mugdock Country Park, Milngavie, Mugdock, in Glasgow from Friday 7th
to Sunday 9th August 2015.
MugStock Is a new boutique festival and run by a non profit organisation of an
epxerienced team.
MugStock Is a new boutique festival and run by a non profit organisation of an
epxerienced team.
Sourcing performers and musicans of the highest calibre, offering
sustenance from the finest breweries and gastronomic mestros the UK has to
offer. Mugostock festivals pledge is to
offer young and old revelers alike the opportunity to enjoy an interactive
experience set amidst the stuning surroundings of Mugdock Country park.
An eclectic selection of international
legends, home-grown favourites, musical virtuosos, emerging artists and
people who dance around with glitter balls on their heads
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