Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Fiddler, Burns Night, Glasgow

This evening, I attended a Burns Night Supper in Glasgow arranged by the local centre of Scotland’s National Trust.

The programme was as follows:

• There was a lad
• Fiddle selection by Hugh MacGilp
• The Immortal Memory
• Songs by harpist, Pauline Vallance.
• Toast to the Lassies by Iain McGillivray
• Green Grow the Rashes
• Fiddle selection by Hugh MacGilp
• A rendition of Tam o’Shanter by George Robertson
• Songs by harpist, Pauline Vallance
• Vote of Thanks by John Foote
• Auld Lang Syne

Sangs and Clatter, Burns Night, Glasgow

Toast to the Lassies, Burns Night, Scotland

Reply for the Lasses, Burns Night, Glasgow

Harpist with Clasarch Harp, Burns Night, Glasgow

An enjoyable and convivial evening.

Broadford Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the village of Broadford on the Isle of Skye.

From my perspective, Broadford is strategically situated for tours of Skye  being relatively close to both the Skye Bridge, Kyleakin  and the ferry port at Armadale. Other facilities include:

• A wide variety of lodgings.
• Supermarket with cash machine.
• Tourist Information Office.
• A ‘craft enclave’ comprising art gallery, jewellery, textiles and second hand bookshop.
• A few good restaurants.

From a historic perspective, ath is the Gaelic name for ford and Broadford is a literal translation from the Gaelic an Ath Leathan.  In the 18th century, Broadford started life as a cattle market and later became the hub for access to other parts of the islands, much as it is today.

Here is a video clip  of the harbour looking towards Broadford.

Broadford Harbour, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Broadford Landscape, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Sunset at Broadford, Isle of Skye, Scotland

As stated above, I view Broadford as an excellent base for touring Skye.

Ian Muir Sound, Midwinter Ball, Erskine Bridge Hotel

This afternoon, I am posting information on the Midwinter Ball held by the Glasgow Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Glasgow Branch at Erskine Bridge Hotel near Paisley.

This event was very well attended, perhaps by 150 in total with music provided by the Ian Muir Sound.

At the foot of these images can be found links to video clips of various dances.

Midwinter Ball, R.S.C.D.S., Glasgow Branch

Midwinter Ball, R.S.C.D.S., Glasgow

Video clips:

• The Happy Meeting  (Jig)
• The Whistling Wind ( Reel)
• The Moray Rant (Strathspey)
• Miss Hadden’s Reel (Jig)
• Salute to Glasgow (Strathspey)
• Polharrow Burn (Reel)
• More Bees A-Dancing (Reel)
• Blooms of Bon Accord (Reel)