It's not the easiest thing to do. Stand on the car deck of a CalMac ferry playing the bagpipes (or drums) as the ferry ploughs through stormy waters. There were some who were regretting the full breakfast consumed just a few minutes before, others were regretting the beer in the pub prior to the 1am kick of from Station road, and some who were regretting both. As Pipe Major for the trip, Stewart Graham, tried to tune the band up, the players broke into an involuntary line dance across the deck, all that was missing was some rhinestones and a chorus of Achy Breaky Heart. However it had been requested that we play of the ferry and that's what we would do. Mercifully the ferry soon docked and as the last truck roared off we struck up. As we marched up the car ramp we got appreciative applause from those waiting to go on and some bewildered looks from some of the tourists coming of via the gangway. You could almost read the 'what kind of Island have we just come to?' question on their faces. Another quick set on the pier and it was safe to say that the Strathaven and District Pipe Band had arrived on Tiree.
In no time at all we were safely ensconced in the Scarinish Hotel and had met the wonderous (joint) owner Laura and her fabulous staff. We had only been on the Island half an hour and already the hospitality was incredible. It was also apparent that our trip organiser Peter Smith knew everyone on the entire Island by name! The main event of the stay, a ceilidh at the Island Hall had been moved from the Saturday night to the Friday night so that more musicians could make it. With a 9.30pm start we had time to explore the Island before Dinner and a band practice. Some took time to catch up on the sleep missed during the journey, others explored the delightful bay the hotel overlooks while others set out for walk and ended up doing a ten mile circuit via some of Tiree's beautiful beaches and even it's airport.
As the bus dropped us off at the Tiree Hall our illusions of a relatively small and sedate affair were completely destroyed. Here were two hundred and fifty people (roughly a third of the island population) in raucous good form who were out to party. Introductions were made with the Tiree pipe band and a quick order of play was agreed between Stewart and the Tiree PM Duncan. Tiree played first and played well so there were some nerves as we followed on. The band played three sets to much applause and were joined by the Tiree band for the finale of Highland Cathedral. Thunderous applause meant we had finished on a high and could now relax and enjoy the ceilidh. To our surprise the two accordion players for the ceilidh had also just played in the pipe band. Within the first bars of the first tune the dance floor was filled and it was obvious that we were in the company of some serious ceilidh goers. Skin teeth and hair flew in all directions as everyone threw themselves into the dancing with an infectious enthusiasm. After three or four sets another member of the pipe band would wander up to the stage and replace one of the accordian players. Talk about talent not only could they play the Great Highland Bagpipe but they could also knock out a swift set on the box for a Strip the Willow or Dashing White Sergeant. As the ceilidh neared the end Angus McPhail (or Big Angus as he is known) dedicated a Hooligans jig to the Strathaven Band. We did our best to match the title.
Saturday morning and there are some frail looking bodies at breakfast, but some of Laura's excellent bacon and black pudding rolls and a bucket of tea and colour was coming back to most faces. During the night the wind had got up and it was decidedly breezy but that wasn't going to deter us from further exploring the islands. Some set of to find the Ringing Stones others, by borrowed car, to tour round the island. One foolhardy crew even hired bikes and cycled up to the north end of the island. The journey out was into the wind and strangely enough so was the journey back ….if the Lodge bar hadn't been in just that spot to provide a refreshing pint then it's doubtful they would have made it back.
The band had a rehearsal in the hotel and then battled their way through the gale and rain to the old folks home up the road from the hotel. A forty minute set outside the home was well received, although it may not have been for the music but more for the sight of Stuart's kilt flying about his head, as he had forgotten his Inverness cape. The tea, cakes and dram that followed it were very welcome and the walk back down to the hotel seemed a lot easier!
Sunday was a glorious day. The band celebrated the good weather by playing on the beach in front of the hotel to a small crowd of appreciative locals. A dozen hardy souls then braved Big Angus's boat for a sail to see some of Tiree's sea life and a spot of fishing. The highlight of the tour undoubtedly being Angus playing Jingle Bells (sic) on the pipes to charm the fish and Andy catching a fish two seconds later (pure theater). Later that night Angus and Duncan (Tiree PM) joined us, with their accordions, for a ceilidh in the hotel lounge. Tunes were played, songs were sung, from the Strathaven PB songbook, and Dusty played his smallpipes to accompany the lovely Lorna (from High Blantyre) on fiddle. Later in the upstairs lounge as the ceilidh continues Laura joins us and when asked for a song immediately launches into Doh a Deer and other gems from The Sound of Music.
The weather on Monday was foul and by mid morning it was confirmed the ferry wouldn't make it in to Tiree. Laura and staff sprang into action and we were back in our rooms in no time and the word had been spread around the island that a ceilidh was on tonight. After a treat of fish suppers in newspaper it was ceilidh time. Duncan and Angus provided the music on their boxes. Youngsters Ollie, and Daibhaidh played solo's on Duncan's electric pipes. Eilidh and Domminic entertained with a fantastic drum fanfare and the Strahaven PB songbook was well used. There was also the world premier of the Tiree Rover (composed in the bar that afternoon)! Oh and we squeezed in some dancing.
Tuesday gave us a last chance to explore before saying goodbye to Laura, Angus, and Duncan and heading home. The band say a huge thank you to: Peter Smith for organising the trip, Laura and the staff at the Scarinish Hotel for their wonderful hospitality, Duncan and the Tiree pipe band and finally big Angus for the music, the fish and the craic.
In no time at all we were safely ensconced in the Scarinish Hotel and had met the wonderous (joint) owner Laura and her fabulous staff. We had only been on the Island half an hour and already the hospitality was incredible. It was also apparent that our trip organiser Peter Smith knew everyone on the entire Island by name! The main event of the stay, a ceilidh at the Island Hall had been moved from the Saturday night to the Friday night so that more musicians could make it. With a 9.30pm start we had time to explore the Island before Dinner and a band practice. Some took time to catch up on the sleep missed during the journey, others explored the delightful bay the hotel overlooks while others set out for walk and ended up doing a ten mile circuit via some of Tiree's beautiful beaches and even it's airport.
As the bus dropped us off at the Tiree Hall our illusions of a relatively small and sedate affair were completely destroyed. Here were two hundred and fifty people (roughly a third of the island population) in raucous good form who were out to party. Introductions were made with the Tiree pipe band and a quick order of play was agreed between Stewart and the Tiree PM Duncan. Tiree played first and played well so there were some nerves as we followed on. The band played three sets to much applause and were joined by the Tiree band for the finale of Highland Cathedral. Thunderous applause meant we had finished on a high and could now relax and enjoy the ceilidh. To our surprise the two accordion players for the ceilidh had also just played in the pipe band. Within the first bars of the first tune the dance floor was filled and it was obvious that we were in the company of some serious ceilidh goers. Skin teeth and hair flew in all directions as everyone threw themselves into the dancing with an infectious enthusiasm. After three or four sets another member of the pipe band would wander up to the stage and replace one of the accordian players. Talk about talent not only could they play the Great Highland Bagpipe but they could also knock out a swift set on the box for a Strip the Willow or Dashing White Sergeant. As the ceilidh neared the end Angus McPhail (or Big Angus as he is known) dedicated a Hooligans jig to the Strathaven Band. We did our best to match the title.
Saturday morning and there are some frail looking bodies at breakfast, but some of Laura's excellent bacon and black pudding rolls and a bucket of tea and colour was coming back to most faces. During the night the wind had got up and it was decidedly breezy but that wasn't going to deter us from further exploring the islands. Some set of to find the Ringing Stones others, by borrowed car, to tour round the island. One foolhardy crew even hired bikes and cycled up to the north end of the island. The journey out was into the wind and strangely enough so was the journey back ….if the Lodge bar hadn't been in just that spot to provide a refreshing pint then it's doubtful they would have made it back.
The band had a rehearsal in the hotel and then battled their way through the gale and rain to the old folks home up the road from the hotel. A forty minute set outside the home was well received, although it may not have been for the music but more for the sight of Stuart's kilt flying about his head, as he had forgotten his Inverness cape. The tea, cakes and dram that followed it were very welcome and the walk back down to the hotel seemed a lot easier!
Sunday was a glorious day. The band celebrated the good weather by playing on the beach in front of the hotel to a small crowd of appreciative locals. A dozen hardy souls then braved Big Angus's boat for a sail to see some of Tiree's sea life and a spot of fishing. The highlight of the tour undoubtedly being Angus playing Jingle Bells (sic) on the pipes to charm the fish and Andy catching a fish two seconds later (pure theater). Later that night Angus and Duncan (Tiree PM) joined us, with their accordions, for a ceilidh in the hotel lounge. Tunes were played, songs were sung, from the Strathaven PB songbook, and Dusty played his smallpipes to accompany the lovely Lorna (from High Blantyre) on fiddle. Later in the upstairs lounge as the ceilidh continues Laura joins us and when asked for a song immediately launches into Doh a Deer and other gems from The Sound of Music.
The weather on Monday was foul and by mid morning it was confirmed the ferry wouldn't make it in to Tiree. Laura and staff sprang into action and we were back in our rooms in no time and the word had been spread around the island that a ceilidh was on tonight. After a treat of fish suppers in newspaper it was ceilidh time. Duncan and Angus provided the music on their boxes. Youngsters Ollie, and Daibhaidh played solo's on Duncan's electric pipes. Eilidh and Domminic entertained with a fantastic drum fanfare and the Strahaven PB songbook was well used. There was also the world premier of the Tiree Rover (composed in the bar that afternoon)! Oh and we squeezed in some dancing.
Tuesday gave us a last chance to explore before saying goodbye to Laura, Angus, and Duncan and heading home. The band say a huge thank you to: Peter Smith for organising the trip, Laura and the staff at the Scarinish Hotel for their wonderful hospitality, Duncan and the Tiree pipe band and finally big Angus for the music, the fish and the craic.