Voices of deep humanity in a dark world

 “You can teach the craft but you can’t teach the poetry”.   David Hockney

 

Gaughan is a voice of deep humanity in our present dark world. 

Gaughan brought many of the traditional Irish and Scots Celtic songs to new life. I’d never heard Robert Burns Westlin Winds before Gaugan introduced this as one of the best songs ever written. He searched through the Scottish national archives for the best traditional ballads. Like Burns and Dylan before him Gaughan has been a genius song collector and remaker of the old songs. He drew on his Scots and Irish traditions to develop his song craft and performance. 

 

I first heard Dick Gaughan in the 70s at the Police folk club Edinburgh. A musician friend raved about how incredible and distinctive his guitar playing was. Many years later (after being in America for nearly ten years) I heard Gaughan again at Milngavie Folk club in 2007. This was an intimate gig where his chat and stories between songs while he tuned his guitar, was worth going for alone. In his own distinctive voice, Gaughan hammers and speaks with his acoustic guitar.

 

Songs of social conscience and of contrast, quality and sincerity. Gaughan has became a legend on the Scottish and world folk circuits for more than 40 years. He is an interpreter of Scotland’s traditional folk ballads with his distinctive style of guitar playing, with open chords and timing that he learnt from guitarist Davey Graham. 

 

Gaughan is Scots/ Irish and has spent his life in Leith Edinburgh. He’s a social protester, a profound storyteller who crosses boundaries, forges alliances through the depth of his story telling, song and dramatic guitar playing. His songs don’t flow easily to the shore and they also share the full range of emotions. Gaughan is plain spoken and holds firmly held beliefs on the rights of everyman.

 

 

Challenges to our Scottish Universities

Scottish universities are suffering because the number of foreign students has dropped dramatically since Brexit – with far fewer EU students. Foreign student numbers have also dropped because of the Home Office’s hostile policies, and not allowing graduates to stay here for work.  

I really worry that our young people are having to continue to live with their parents. If they can afford a mortgage in their thirties they have very little disposable income, if any. Therefore they can’t afford to go out much, take holidays, have a car ….or consider having a family. 

 

This is a totally lopsided society which is very unhealthy society with a lot of angry young people.

In England its even worse with young people having huge loans of nearly 100K they won’t be able pay off until their sixties.

 

Here in the UK – apart from the rich getting richer – we can now expect a worse standard of living than most other developed nations, even while we have top universities, huge resources. What going on? Money is being sucked down a London black hole. Why can't Scotland have self determination of its energy resources?

 

Beyond the Tradition at Celtic Connections 2026

Beyond the Tradition at Celtic Connections 2026 and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and special guests.

**Tonight the five singers of Scots traditional ballads were acclaimed 

 - Karine Polwart, Kris Drever, Lori Watson, Janice Burns and Jon Doran, Emily Smith, Fiona Hunter. And with House band – Duncan Lyall (double bass), David Mulligan (piano), Calum MacCrimmon (whistles & pipes), Anna Massie (guitar)

Books expand our horizons

 

 

Books offer us a wider world and greater empathy with others.  

 

“Books make you see a wider world, developing your soul, without them, you are like a frog sitting in the bottom of a well, who thinks the world is no bigger than the wells mouth. Without books you cannot get hold of your own soul.”

Jung Chang 1991 book Wild Swans, was one of the best selling memoirs of 20^th century (15m copies). Her book is about three generations of Chinese women and the Chinese Cultural Revolution

 

Her father had a study lined with books. Red guards came and carted them away to be burnt. It broke her father. 

 “Mao had a purpose when he called for books to be burnt,… because not reading will make a person more easily brutalized. “

 

YEAR OF BOOKS 2026 here in Scotland!

Celtic Connections 2026 kicks off!

Celtic Connections 2026 kicks off next week - Thursday, 15 January - and is set to attracts thousands of music lovers  across the world to Glasgow for the premier winter music festival of its kind. Famed for its adventurous spirit, the festival will stage more than 300 events across 25 venues and spanning more than 10 genres across 18 days.

I have attended, covered and photographed at the festival since 2008, nearly twenty years now!! The lighting at concerts is now much more sophisticated. At this cold, dark time of year Celtic Connections offers some joyous warmth with the range, quality and diversity of their unique and international collaborations. Over the years I’ve been to so many memorable concerts. 

 

Everything You Need to Know About Celtic Connections 2026

 

The renowned festival every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.

Celtic Connections – Scotland’s premier winter festival of its kind – attracts thousands of fans and performers to the city from all corners of the world, offering unforgettable moments, groundbreaking collaborations, and a love for music that only Glasgow can provide with its many outstanding venues.

 

When is it?

The countdown is on! Celtic Connections 2026 runs from 15 January to 1 February 2026. Over 300 events at 25+ venues across the city, with audiences of more than 110,000 expected to experience Glasgow’s biggest winter celebration of music and culture.

 

Who’s performing?

With a lineup of over 1,200 artists, of global icons, homegrown heroes and breakthrough names.

Headliners 2026 include country music royalty Emmylou Harris, legendary Cuban collective Buena Vista All Stars, Americana powerhouse Lucinda Williams,Scottish folk-rock pioneers Skerryvore, Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck, Senegalese orchestral sensation Baobab,

 

Québec’s vibrant music scene contributes acts like Le Vent du Nord and Bon Débarras, highlighting the festival’s commitment to international cultural exchange. indie duo Watchhouse and Mon Rovîa, who tells his refugee story through the healing sound of Afro-Appalachian folk.

Opening Concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, World Connections, and a range of one-off collaborations featured throughout the programme. Festival favourites return, including Roaming Roots Revue (Icons Vol. 2), Transatlantic Sessions, and the Danny Kyle Open Stage that showcases emerging talent.

 

Is it for young people?

Absolutely! Celtic Connections is dedicated to making world-class music accessible to everyone, including the next generation. The popular Under 26 Festival Pass is back, providing discounted entry for those aged 18 - 25 to a selection of events – perfect for students, young professionals, and anyone discovering new sounds.

Additionally, the acclaimed Education Programme returns, with thousands of local schoolchildren invited to special concerts and workshops, planting the seeds for a lifelong love of music.

 

What type of music can you hear?

Celtic Connections is famed for its adventurous spirit – audiences will enjoy traditional folk, roots, indie, and world music; blues, jazz, orchestral, Americana, and even electronic influences. 

Experience Gaelic song and Scottish ballads, orchestral world premieres, like The Ayoub Sisters’ Arabic Symphony, roots collaborations linking Scotland with Brazil, Mexico, and beyond, and captivating new commissions. Whether you crave the pulse of a late-night ceilidh or the intimacy of story-driven folk, the festival showcases music in all its diversity.

 

What’s new for 2026?

Once again ambitious collaborations and boundary-pushing debuts take centre stage:

•    For the first time, the Emirates Arena will host two back to back shows: an incredible farewell show from Emmylou Harris and its largest folk-rock party yet with Skerryvore

•    Citizens Theatre becomes an official festival venue for the first time, welcoming the likes of Glasgow’s own spellbinding Alice Faye and Òran Ùr, a night celebrating 25 years of new Gaelic songs

•    Cross-cultural projects bring together musicians from Scotland, Sweden, Ireland, Mexico, Brazil and Iraq

•    Innovative shows like Tràigh Mhòr will bring Brazilian and Scottish roots together, and the world premiere of Delusions blends music, spoken word and multimedia art, while the Maclean Brothers’ night will celebrate extraordinary stories of endurance and global connection

•    A new multi-year partnership with the Edinburgh International Book Festival sees groundbreaking collaborations between Scotland's celebrated writers and musicians including The Golden Road featuring William Dalrymple, India Alba and renowned artists.

 

How do I get a ticket?

Tickets for the festival are available now at www.celticconnections.com. 

 

Celtic Connections Creative Producer, Donald Shaw, said: “Celtic Connections is big, bold and inspiring – it’s a festival that isn’t afraid to take risks, champions artistic expression and believes in collaboration, and having fun. There’s a special kind of magic that fills Glasgow every January during Celtic Connections. Come and join us to experience unforgettable shows, world-class artists, and surprises around every corner. We can’t wait to share these moments with everyone who loves music as much as we do!”

 

This year’s festival, delivered by Glasgow Life in partnership with Innis & Gunn, promises inspiration, discovery and the warmest of welcomes – here’s everything you need to know.

Celtic Connections is delivered with funding from Glasgow City Council through Glasgow Life. Creative Scotland and The Scottish Government Festivals Expo Fund continue to provide invaluable support to Celtic Connections.

2025 Year of Surprises and Nostalgia

 

2025 Year of Surprises and Nostalgia

The internet gives us unbounded access to “knowledge:”

but – at the same time leaves us ignorant and in our own bubbles.

 

That’s why knowledge and empathy through books – through all the Arts: poetry, music, art,, film, matters so greatly. Otherwise our worlds are limited. To celebrate our diversity and connectedness. 

 (The UK apparently is a rich country – when I wonder if this is true, where is the money?)

Ignorance is a terrible weakness. Different cultures and identities can sit side by side – why does one culture have to be better or superior? We are stronger for our diversity. 

 

In the new year 2026 - I hope for greater empathy and understandings through the Arts.

 

 NOSTALGIA

Its so easy to be nostalgic at Christmas, 

remembering all the past Christmases, 

looking up old photos and friendships, 

 

of the time ticking by,

the past years endings and all that it meant,

the memories, the highs and the lows. 

 

Making new plans, new resolutions, expectations

of what the new year may offer….

PK

Long Memory

I shake out the dusty distance between the lost long ago times.

There’s the National songbooks faded now a deep brown,

There‘s the thought of back when the world was bright and new. 

 

I thought back then

There was so much time,

I took for easy granted,

Never looking too far behind, 

Often too easily uncaring and reckless,

Forgetting time passes us all goodbye.

 

I remember singing those well loved Burns songs -

Ye banks and braes o bonny doon

How can ye bloom sae fresh and fair,

How can ye chant ye little birds

And I sae weary full o care.

 

Ye’ll break my heart ye warbling birds, 

That wanton trough the thorny trees,

Ye mind me o departed joys,

Departed never to return. 

 

And iconic pop tunes,

Joni Mitchell, Elton John, the Beatles,

Of Mozart and Beethoven classics,

All accompanied me in my safe place.

PK

 

November 2025

2025 Reflections TOP PHOTOS

Some favourite memories of 2025! From fun concerts at Celtic Connections and excellent times at Edinburgh festivals. 

Edinburgh 2025

Past concert memories!