Monday, 31 March 2025

Keeping the Celtic Traditions Alive

 

A decade ago I spent a few days in Montrose. My partner said there’s not a lot to do here. I went a walk to the library and to my surprise discovered that Montrose had been the centre of a Scottish Renaissance in the 1930s, led by the poet Hugh MacDiarmid. 

Sixty years there was the Scottish Cultural Renaissance from Montrose in the 1930s – with figures such as poets Hugh MacDiarmid, Willaim Soutar, Edwin and Willa Muir, Plus novelists Neil Gunn, Lewis Grassic Gibbons, Catherine Carswell, Nan shepherd, Sorely Maclean, Iain Chrichton Smith, RB Cunningham Graham, George Douglas Brown.


RB Cunningham Graham


Later in the 1960s there was the Scottish Folk Revival -  with poets, musicians and song collectors such as Hamish Henderson, Margaret Bennet, and Dick Gaughan - who worked to keep the Scots traditions alive.... Just as poets back in the 1700s – Allan Ramsey, Robert Fergusson, Robert Burns - wrote to keep the Scots language, culture, ballads and heritage alive after the union 1707 (and the suppressions of Scots musical instruments and highland dress after Culloden)

Julie Fowlis


Celtic Connections music festival has brought folk music (and indie, world, roots, Americana) onto the bigger stage. Back in the 70s I had little idea when I attended Sandy Bells bar Edinburgh, and folk festivals – that there was a revival happening. I feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this experiences of the wonderful live music. So odd looking back!  

Today there are Celtic musicians keeping Scotland’s musical traditions alive such as – Julie Fowlis, Kris Drever, Karine Polwart, Manran, Braebach, Duncan Chisholm, Ross Ainslie, Glasgow Trad Collective and many more. My impression is that many younger musicians are highly aware of the traditions. 


Sadly troubadours such as the folk legends Dick Gaughan, Rab Noakes, Michael Marra, Gerry Rafferty, are no longer with us and performing. I remember Noakes saying – ‘A present with no past has no future.’ Scotland has a centuries old tradition of believing in the rights of all people. From the clan system, Declaration of Arbroath, scholars such a George Buchanan, Enlightenment, and Robert Burns humanity. 

 

The voices of the ordinary folks. In 1960s Hamish Henderson wrote, ‘Freedom Come All Ye’

 

Rab Noakes & Barbara Dickson


The Importance of Culture on our Lives and Keeping the Traditions Alive - Some might wonder, does all this matter, in a globalized world of mono culture,  fast food outlets global chain stores, and even one track politics of click bait conspiracy theories and right wing closed off thinking. As empty rhetoric sweeps through online media – and its more important than ever before to retain our diversity, freedom of thought, to study our sense of place, culture and history. 

For diverse, informed thinking. Have we lost the craft of informed debates? 

 

I agree with George Kerevan in the National newspaper about the significance of culture over lives. 

I believe people vote with their hearts not their heads. Then again there’s Bill Clintons quote, it’s the economy stupid. At least we’re persuaded by the press that we vote with our back pockets. The trouble is there’s not much to choose between the political parties right now – except the British ones are aim to protect the status quo that has been failing Scotland for decades. 

(I was sorry to read it was Kerevan’s last weekly column and hope he continues to contribute. I’ve enjoyed reading his articles in the national. The National has been one of the biggest positives to come our of the 2014 referendum.)

 

Concerts such as Transatlantic Sessions proves the size of the audience for this kind of traditional, acoustic music. Celtic Connections music festival has taken the closed off live local pub sessions on to the bigger stage. And also taken Celtic music forward, while respecting the traditions. In particular certain folk musicians aim to keep carrying the stream. 

 

In 1922 Lenin expelled the free thinkers, artists, poets on the Philosophy steamer from Russia. He was afraid of their creativity. The one thing free thinkers believe in is ‘uncertainty. ‘In the world of science or philosophy, nothing can be  proved totally, the only thing that is certain is that things change. (The Philosophy Steamer, Lesley Chamberlain)



Sometimes if not often) culture leads the way for new visions. And new collaborations of how to view the world today and how our futures might be. Celtic Connections shines a light on this vision, after all music is the universal language. 

People remember best the songs, books, art and film that moved them or touched our hearts and not political leaders. Only a few politicians are even remembered. And often not in a good way!



Duncan Chisholm will play BURNS Gregg fiddle New York!


Duncan Chisholm

one of Scotland’s acclaimed fiddlers and composers, will play Scotland’s poet Robert Burn's Greg fiddle at the Hoolie at Carnegie hall New York this April

 

I took this photo when Chisholm was paying with Su a Lee for her Celtic Connections concert to celebrate her album Dialogues.


https://www.carnegiehall.org/Scotlands-Hoolie-in-New-York-0800PM 

  



An 18th Century fiddle linked to Robert Burns is to be used again for two special concerts.
The Gregg fiddle - believed to have been owned by the poet's dance teacher - will be played at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow and Carnegie Hall in New York, 

It is usually on display in the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway but will be loaned thanks to a collaboration between the Hoolie in the Hydro concert series and the National Trust for Scotland. The Gregg fiddle, dating from 1750, belonged to William Gregg and is thought to have been played at the Bachelors club Tarbolton where Burns was learning dance steps. 

Hoolie in the Hydro organiser and broadcaster Gary Innes said the two gigs would be a "landmark occasion. Robert Burns is an unparalleled figure within Scotland’s culture, so to be able to bring part of his legacy to the Hoolie stages, both at home and across the Atlantic, is remarkable. I hope it will create a moment of magic for both the musicians and our audiences.”

Two of Scotland’s most accomplished players - Ewen Henderson and Duncan Chisholm - will perform using the intricately decorated instrument.  Duncan has travelled to the museum in Alloway to learn the intricacies of playing the instrument. The event will then cross the Atlantic next year for an event held as part of New York's Tartan Week celebrations on 5 April.



Edinburgh International Festival 2025 announced

 

This years theme is “the Truth We Seek”

Now for the first time in its 75 year history run by both a scot and a woman. 

 

In our present world of chaos and uncertainties, Edinburgh festival cultural celebrations bring offerings of light and hopes. The festival offers several Scottish premiers. 

 

 Succession actor Brian Cox appears in theatre show, Make it Happen. 

 

Shakespeare’s As You Like is a Radical Retelling

 

Scottish ballet’s Mary Queen of Scots

 

Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito, opera in concert

 



Our 2025 Edinburgh International Festival invites you to explore The Truth We Seek — a journey into the elusive nature of truth, in our personal and public lives.      Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director

 

TICKETS on sale - https://www.eif.co.uk/

 


TOP FOLK songs

 


My TOP FOLK songs

Jock O Hazeldean, Walter Scott

The Blacksmith, traditional

Ye Banks and Braes, Robert Burns

Westlin Winds, Robert Burns

Gently Does It, Rab Noakes

Scotland Yet, Davy Steele

Garden Valley, Dougie MacLean

 

Both Sides Now, Joni MItchell

The Times they are a changing, Bob Dylan