Coastal Connections: at Celtic Connections Festival 2020

This new festival within a festival proved a highly successful and sold-out event. For the price of a ticket, we were given a wristband as access to musical performances of the highest calibre, celebrating Scotland’s vast coastlines and many islands.

The festival was held over the concert halls several spaces – the main auditorium, exhibition hall, Buchannan suite, and Strathclyde suite. The main event took place in a more relaxed setting in the main hall, with tables and chairs set up in the front area. All this proved ideal for families and for dancing. 

Some of the festivals top ceilidh bands took part – 

From north Uist we were treated to the perfect voice of Julie Fowlis along with Eamon Doorley, Zoe Conway and John McIntyre. Diamh from the Hebrides, proved a strong presence with accomplished musicians and with lead singer, Ellen MacDonald

Capercaillie from Oban, were the ultimate professionals: a band with strong tunes with contemporary rhythms led by

 accordion player and festival director Donald Shaw and with the moving Gaelic voice of Karen Matheson. Tiree-based Skerryvore are a powerhouse ceilidh band led by pipes and song, and they lit up the final show here. 

The more intimate spaces musicians included  - Orkney bands Gnoss and Fara; fiddler Gillian Frame from Arran; Ceol Nan Eilean from Benbecula; from Cape Breton Miller, MacDonald, Cormier and Feis Rois with John Somerville’s Voyage of the Hector; Esther Swift’s The Flood; from Lochaber Ingrid Henderson, Anna and Mairearad from the Black Isle. 

There were also art displays and musical instruments on show. I thought there might have been more coastal signage or art displays. There certainly are many outstanding photographers who shoot powerful images of Scotland’s incredible coastlines, perhaps a display for another day.

I’ve been fortunate myself to visit Scotland’s islands recently and the north coast. If the weather is kind ( as it is in may or the autumn) there is nothing to surpass the wildness, the subtle, shifting light, blinding wind or thunderous waves or perfect white sands.

(photos from north Uist nature reserve, Scarra Brae Orkney, North Coast 500

The festival had a dramatic opening spectacle with STORM, a 10m high sun goddess STORM made of driftwood by Edinburgh’s Vision Mechanics to celebrate our seas. Her voice the chorus of the waves to celebrate our seas, care of our coastlines and to put our environment first – she made her journey from the Clyde to the Glasgow concert hall.

GRIT orchestra Opening concert CELTIC CONNECTIONS

GRIT orchestra perform the Declaration:  A triumphant opening concert with the excellent and exuberant GRIT orchestra!

The concert hall buzzed in anticipation of this years festival. Some may think  - isn’t January a low month – not when the Celtic fiddles dance; along to the feet-tapping dance rhythms of percussion and drums; the vibrant rich brass; the mellow, haunting flutes; the heart-topping pipes – and all topped with the melodic, soaring voices such as Gaelic singer Karen Matheson and Fiona Hunter. 

The Grit Orchestra is an 80-piece ensemble of folk, jazz and classical musicians, who first performed Martyn Bennet’s  ground breaking album, with conductor Greg Lawson at the festival in 2015. 

For the first half of the concert they performed new compositions for one of the most famous statements for freedom, Declaration of Arbroath, ahead of its 700th anniversary in April and also inspired by Bennet’s own innovative creations.To explore concepts of freedom and what does freedom mean?

The new compositions for the Grit orchestra were – first cellist Rudi de Groote piece, Declaration Opening which offered a haunting anticipation; followed by fiddler Patsy Reid’s Suppliant Hearts with upbeat fiddles juxtaposed with stirring pipes; Oran do loch lall, a Donald Shaw introspective composition then captured a more gentle mood with the perfect voice of Gaelic singer Karen Matheson; next was the climatic freedom piece Ve Skerries by fiddler Chris Stout and harpist Catriona Mackay, with the impressive male voices of the all male Chapel choir and a Freedom poem read by poet Liz Lochhead - “What matters is not what we say, but what we do.”

This was followed by Fraser Fifield’s, atmospheric Secret Histories and saxophonist Paul Towndrow’s Declaration Ending, when woodwind and brass solos sounded the hope filled finale. 

  

II  For the second half of the concert the orchestra treated us again to Martyn Bennet’s Grit album tracks, with firm favourites and sung by Fiona Hunter - No Regrets, Blackbird, Play the melody on the chanter. Alongside Bennet’s drama and dance grooves, he understood the significance of the memorable melody. The Grit orchestra music is a unique contemporary sound that fuses  traditions, folk songs and modern dance beats. 

The Declaration compositions were described by festival director Donald Shaw as “a declaration of intent to grasp the thistle and give a sense of confidence to orchestral works from Scottish folk composers. It’s about freedom, exploration and intent. 

Conductor Greg Lawson said, “We must strive to be different and understand our differences – which will make us stronger.”

The Arbroath Declaration

...for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.

1st half

Rudi de Groote - Declaration Opening

Suppliant Hearts - Patsy Reid

Oran do loch lall - Alexander Cameron/Donald Shaw/Norman MacLean

Ve Skerries - Chris Stout& Catriona Mackay

Secret Histories - Fraser Fifield

Paul Towndrow - Declaration Ending

2nd half

Move 

Nae Regrets 

Blackbird 

Aye

Karabach 

Chanter

Year of Flux and Turmoil

Change doesn’t mean we forget the past – we forget the past at our peril. 

The days are cold and frost lays heavy on the ground, but we must reflect this is a crossroads time – and we must now make important choices for our futures. Can we make a better future in the UK as a group of indy nations – like other modern states do? Can this be more successful? But what exactly does success mean? Does it mean more money in our back pockets, or saving the planet? Does it mean a well-being culture alongside successful businesses? 

Saving our planet from climate erosion is now a urgent priority. 

One dominant theme is the mistrust of politicians, but it is also mistrust of the media and press, who are supposed to inform us?

2019 ends with another major UK election but will it settle anything?

We are at the end of a decade and look forward to 2020. Our years of turmoil end with a major election in which choices were stark. Boris is a selfish, scheming chancer, and I have no trust in him or his side-kick Cummings. England continues to tie itself into knots. The trouble is Labour are providing no opposition. Will Ireland consider reunification – if so will Scotland vote for Indy?

**Heroes

In America there are several strong women role models I admire, women who give back – Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Angelie Jolie, Hilary Clinton and more. In Scotland and the UK I struggle to think of good, present day female role models though – Nicola Sturgeon, Anita Roddick, Virginia Woolfe, 

*HEROES of 2010s - Greta Thunberg, Obama, Andy Murray, 

I’ve believed change can only occur in small places, at the grassroots level and while we must see the big picture.

**The Past Decade

I look at photos of the 2010s

The early years were hopeful – we had Obama, a UK coalition, hope of Scottish indy, 

The decade held many tragedies – Grenfell, Windrush Trump, Brexit, Boris, climate crisis. 

Now we have chaos, and rich oligarchs gaining more power, and wealth.

Sometimes the world goes off its axis, and I hope it will right itself again!

Its hard to understand the Brexit vote – but Fintan O’Toole is the best read. (Irish Times)

**Looking ahead 2020

Celtic Connections January 2020

Climate conference Glasgow, November 2020

700 years since 1320 Declaration or Arbroath, April 2020

HAPPY HEW YEAR FOR 2020, I took a late walk on the moors in the gloamin tonight and the sky was a perfect glow. Hope its a good sign for the year ahead!

***Time is now running out ** 

We are facing several major crises. Its crucial we see the urgency of our decisions.

*Respect for our Past

I worry some have little regard for culture, history or past stories. This isn’t about dusty books on shelves – but is essential to understand our choices today 

Scotland’s only hope is indy in Europe. 

And we do have horrific images to witness – dying species, melting ice sheets, dangerous fires, severe floods, 

Letter to EU 

I hope those in Europe understand why Scots seek indy now. Brexit is not about the EU. Its about English nationalism, and about a UK creaking and not fit for purpose. The UK today is a disunited kingdom – all 4 nations are not working well together. Both Ireland and Scotland are on different trajectories: and many in Ireland are seriously considering and debating reunification for the first time. 

Only 10 years ago the SNP had only a few MPs, now it has 80%. The SNP is socially democratic and progressive and not about racism in any shape or form: and totally opposite to other nationalist parties in Europe. Scottish nationalism is inclusive and outward-looking: it is empathically not narrow, elitist or exclusive. For centuries Scots heritage and ideals have been ones of travel on our seas to distant lands  Its English nationalism that is right wing. Perhaps it is in essence the Scottish democratic party? JK Rowling claims her villain Voldemort would be a ‘nationalist’ – its clear she totally misunderstands our Yes Movement. Its about the right of an ancient nation to self determination: and to have equal rights to those in the south! No more, no less.

Letter to the EU

I hope those in Europe understand why Scots seek indy now. Brexit is not about the EU: its about English nationalism and about a UK creaking that’s not fit for purpose. The UK today is a disunited kingdom – all 4 nations are not working well together. Both Ireland and Scotland are on different trajectories: and many in Ireland are seriously considering and debating reunification for the first time.  I strongly believe an indy Scotland will be outward-looking nation and a voice for peace making and ounity in Europe.    

Only 10 years ago the SNP had only a few MPs, now it has 80%. The SNP is socially democratic and progressive and not about racism in any shape or from and in fact totally opposite to other nationalist parties in Europe. Scottish nationalism is civic, inclusive and outward-looking: it is empathically not narrow, elitist or exclusive. For centuries Scots heritage and ideals have been ones of travel on our seas to distant lands  (Its English nationalism that is right wing.) Perhaps it is in essence the Scottish democratic party? Scotland’s ties to Europe are deep and centuries old.

After decades of UK prime ministers blaming the EU for their own failings, the consequences have come back to haunt them. Who will they blame now - the Scots, the Irish, the EU for not being nice enough to them? They have employed populism, telling the people what they want to hear. 

We need to change the narrative, particularly with those who dislike and fear Brexit. The UK establishment surrounded Scotland’s independence with negative language – words such as warning, catastrophe, too poor, too small, dependent. And instead offer positive words – opportunity, self-determination, vast resources, bright future, innovative, freedom, fair, make our own decisions, success, hope. Scotland urgently requires it own TV channel, film studio and media.

Scotland can be compared to other highly successful economies in the European trading block. The EU offers economic stability and lower mortgage rates for young families. Small economies are more adaptable and progressive. How can we re-imagine our future Scotland with greener and well-being policies? A new Scotland that doesn’t make the mistakes of the UK by de-centralising and by not having only a couple of major cities, and with improved infrastructure. 

Plus why would we accept England’s deficit: they squandered our oil reserves, with billions spent on trident and other vanity projects and on London infrastructure projects. These  produce the false GERs figures. This is not against the English people, a successful indy Scotland can be more supportive of the other 4 nations, not less. Its against those neo–liberal elites, with their off-shore tax havens. 

Indy is a process. And a journey. This failing Brexit is fooling people with a Tory government, who don’t even believe in it. Some of us might be thinking that federalism is an answer for the UK crisis – but England’s too big and has little interest. Although it might be an answer to England’s Brexit crisis. 

What’s truly scary – do people believe they have a free press or believe what they are told on tv, radio, online or in the press. Obviously it requires effort and time to search for any honesty and it’s confusing as we have so many media outlets now. The truth is not found in foreign owned press that peddles gossip, propaganda or downright lies. In fact it appears many across the UK don’t trust the media or their politicians. Figures show that trust in the UK media is far lower than in other European nations. This is surely extremely concerning for a country that portrays itself as democratic. 

Boris wants to diverge with regulations. This will mean non-alignment with the EU, and that any deal will be complex and take years with transitions or no deal. Northern Ireland will remain in the EU (and UK) which means not the UK, but Great Britain is leaving the EU. The question for Boris is: how can he take Scotland on this Brexit journey it didn’t vote for? How can he explain how Westminster works for Scotland?

We need the EU protection. ‘A small country with big ideas.’My vote’s for real democracy. Are we running out of time, as some argue – with the Brexit take over by ever richer oligarchs and the threatening climate crisis? Norway with a population the same as Scotland’s and similar resources, is one of the worlds most developed successful, democratic nations. One thing is clear – people in Scotland have voted against Brexit and they want to stay in the EU, hopefully emulating other successful independent nations. 

*Sweden Dagens Myhater  ‘Openness to the outside world made modern Britain what it is today. Now the fog lowers across the English channel. The continent is isolated.’   Kate Devlin