Happy New Year, one and all!
2020 got off to a flyer performing on BBC Alba’s Cèilidh na Bliadhn’ Ùire with Mànran plus our usual Highland & Island adventures either side of that. We had great fun introducing new band members Aidan & Kim to some Scottish audiences - they coped admirably with the traditional Mànran initiation ceremonies!
Once back in Glasgow, attention started turning towards all things Celtic Connections but, just prior to that, I had a cracking time taking part in a brilliant, new charity event: Strictly Come Cèilidh Dancing! Organised by Donnie “Maroot” MacLeod (a legend in Glasgow highland/island circles), this event put 10 “celebrities” (including myself) through their paces over the course of five well-known cèilidh dances in front of a highly esteemed panel of judges. A blow-by-blow account will, pending a stewards’ inquiry, have to wait but suffice to say that yours truly swept aside all comers and schottisched his way out of the hall with top honours in the male category. More importantly, the night raised £2860 for the Eilidh Macleod Trust, a charity that aims to advance musical education and opportunities for children and young people in rural areas. Well done to all involved - I look forward to retiring to the judges’ bench for next year!