Bands and Ceilidhs

 

Many a ceilidh dance was held in village halls in Dùthaich MhicAoidh.  One of these earlier bands was the ‘Melness Ceilidh Band’, comprising Donnie Campbell, button key, Willie-John Barnetson, piano accordion, and Joseph and Bally Mackay on fiddle and piano.  Joseph was also well known for his singing of Gaelic songs and would be a worthy when it came to performing at a ceilidh or concert.  More often than not he would take the part of Fear an Taigh.

 

Meanwhile in Bettyhill ‘The Bettyhill Boys’ played many a foot-tapping tune that would have revelers dancing till the wee small hours.  The line-up was Alick-John Mackay, Swordly, on the button key; Dona Munro, Kirtomy, on the button key; Geordie Mackay, Naver, on the fiddle; Hugh Mackay (Teedy), Bettyhill, on the accordion; Jackie Craig Skelpick, and Ian Mackay, Inshlampie, Strathnaver, on the drums. 

 

More recent times have seen such bands as ‘Tongue Ceilidh Band’, formed by John Barlow, take to the circuit.  They comprised John Barlow as Keyboard player; Tommy Mackay, Melness on accordion; Joseph Mackay, Melness on fiddle; Donnie MacDougall, Durness on accordion and Richard Wood, Bettyhill on the drums.  They were a popular band and produced tape recordings.

 

 

‘Keldie’ is the name intended for people who come from Kirtomy.  In view of that Hamish Carney, Andy Munro and Shona Munro, whose mother came from Kirtomy, decided that ‘Keldies’ was a fitting name to christen their band.  Andy and Hamish play the accordions joined by Shona on the guitar and vocals.  ‘Strip the Willow’ is always a favourite request at a Bettyhill dance and the ‘Keldies’ oblige happily though it has been known to resemble more of a war dance but the heuching and teuching just adds to the merriment. 

 

Another great band perhaps with a more modern swing to it is ‘Blue Ridge’ from Durness.  They play anything from ‘The Gambler’, an oft requested song to ‘The Banks of Ben Lomond’.  When requested to play ‘The Gambler’ for the fourth time one night in Bettyhill, lead singer Marty said, “I thought the Scourie lot were bad”.  Front man is lead singer and guitarist Marty Mackay along with lead guitarist Ian James Campbell, bass guitarist and accordion player Donnie MacDougall and drummer Darren Mackay.  Blue Ridge certainly have the ability to keep a party going we hope they keep going for a long time to come.

 

‘Corra Glas’ has done wonders in the Kinlochbervie area in recent years.  This group has provided opportunities for music tuition for young people and created a band of high quality which has toured on several occasions, made a CD and delighted local audiences. 

 

Contemporary music features more often now along the north coast with acts such as the ‘North Coast Jazz Band’ and more modern music is produced by younger bands such as ‘Novo-caine’, ‘Crimson Tide’ and ‘Broken Chord’.  Although different to Scottish traditional music it is always good to have the diversity of styles of music that can be appreciated by all backgrounds.