Bye Alasdair Gray

RIP Scottish legend Alasdair Gray. 1934 - 2019

Great artist and innovator. Much missed. Best known for his book Lanark and his artwork at the Oran Mor and the Glasgow underground.  

I took photos of him at Edinburgh years back. What a great character!

Scots Trad Music Awards

Breabach

7th December) at Aberdeen Music Hall in a live-broadcast ceremony honouring the year’s most exceptional traditional musical talent. Produced by Hands Up for Trad, the evening celebrated Scotland’s rich cultural heritage and flourishing folk scene. 

Hosted by world-renowned Gaelic singer, Mary Ann Kennedy and award-winning musician, Kim Carnie; guests enjoyed stellar live performances by  Skerryvore, Session A9, Benedict Morris, Heisk and Sian.

The biggest award, The Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Scottish Music in association with Showcase Scotland Expo supports the winner to progress unique ideas and empower creation. Financially matched only by the Mercury Prize, the prestigious fund of £25,000 - was awarded to Kinnaris Quintet, first all-female band to win the prize.

Breabach won Album of the Year Award for, Frenzy of the Meeting. Presenter Mary Ann Kennedy scooped up Gaelic Singer. Jenna Reid won Composer of the Year battling against an all-female shortlist. Jenna’s group Blazin’ Fiddles were also awarded Folk Band of the Year. 

Following ten consecutive sell outs, Tiree Music Festival picked up the award for Event of the Year. The popular festival has contributed £6.4 million to the small island economy. ‘forward-thinking folk music’ Man of the Minch took home The Up and Coming Artist of The Year award 

Talisk

Trad Music awards at Aberdeen music hall

Albums nominated 

Elephant Sessions – What Makes You

Gnoss – From Deep Water

Brighdo Chaimbeul – The Reeling

Siobhan Miller – Mercury

Talisk – Beyond

Breabach – Frenzy of the Meeting

Hannah Rarity – Neath the Gloaming Sky

Skippinish – By the Stars

Karine Polwart – Laws of Moiton

Kinneris quartet – Free One

 Album of the Year - Frenzy of the Meeting by Breabach

The Belhaven Bursary for Innovation in Scottish Music - Kinnaris Quintet   The evening also included a number of exclusive recognitions - 

The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award Sponsored by Edinburgh Folk Club where Dr. Peter Cooke was praised. The Services to Gaelic Award, Sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, was presented to Anne Soutar.  The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Sponsored by Scots Radio was presented to Sheena Blackhall, well known for her poetry.

The Evening continued through to the early hours with Ceilidh Minogue and The House of Song led by Doris Rougvie. The evening was broadcast live on BBC ALBA and is repeated Sunday 8^th December at 8.55pm. with unseen footage shown on a special highlights show on 27^th December at 9pm. 

Club of the Year -  Sutherland Sessions

Composer of the Year - Jenna Reid

Community Project of the Year - SEALL Festival of Small Halls

Event of the Year - Tiree Music Festival

Gaelic Singer of the Year - Mary Ann Kennedy

Musician of the Year - Jenn Butterworth

Live Act of the Year  -  Peat and Diesel

Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year  -  Steve Byrne

Scottish Dance Band of the Year  - The Cruickshank Family Band

Scottish Folk Band of the Year -  Blazin’ Fiddles

Scottish Pipe Band of the Year - Inverary and District Pipe Band

Trad Video of the Year  - Heroes by Tide Lines

Music Tutor of the Year - Iain Ruari Finlayson, Skye Schools

Up and Coming Artist of the Year  - Man of the Minch

Venue of the Year Award - An Tobar (Mull)

The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award - Dr. Peter Cooke

Services to Gaelic -  Anne Souter

The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language - Sheena Blackhall

The evening also included a number of exclusive recognitions including 

The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award Sponsored by Edinburgh Folk Club where Dr. Peter Cooke was praised. The Services to Gaelic Award, Sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, was presented to Anne Soutar.  The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Sponsored by Scots Radio was presented to Sheena Blackhall, well known for her poetry

North Coast 500

North coast 500

We took the road up to Lochiver, surprised at the many English voices singing the praises of Scotland – its breath-taking beauty, majestic mountains, and the way the light changes everything. It’s subtle, soft and unforgettable, unspoilt beauty too.

We took the south road along Loch Ness and found quiet places to take images on its shore – no sightings of the monster though!  

Falls of foyer

At Ullapool I discovered there is a ancient natural fault line (before the two land masses were brought together) between Scotland and England – lets bring it back! 

Loch Ness

Falls of Foyer

View at Ullapool

Driving further north the land becomes more remote and wild. On the way back we stopped at the eerie sight of Culloden moors, which were covered in a layer of crisp snow. I thought of the battlefield sights we’ve lost – where is the real Bannockburn 

Beach near the north west at Scourie

The very north at Durness

Culloden moors

Culloden moors

We stopped at the eerie sight of Culloden moors, which were covered in a layer of crisp snow. I thought of the battlefield sights we’ve lost – where is the real Bannockburn? I hope there will not be houses built here when Scotland has plenty of land.

One of the guys in his red jacket and bunnnet was explaining the battle to me - he didn't seem to be aware this was a "religious battle" - or of the Thirty Years religious wars in Europe at the time etc. etc. There were German, French and Irish troops involved too. No Tom Devine history books in their bookshop either - clearly a saniized version told here By Historic Scotland.