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Thread: Off to Scotland

  1. #1
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Off to Scotland

    My wife and I are off to Edinburgh at the end of the week for 2 weeks. We're looking for some help/tips on where to find clubs with music while we are there. We'll also spend a few days in Skye as well, so a heads up there would also be appreciated.

    We've heard they have whisky around there, so we might have to sample that as well

    thanks in advance for any guidance,
    bill
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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  2. #2

    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Don't have any suggestions, but I envy you and your wife. Always wanted to visit Scotland. Have fun!

  3. #3
    Registered User Joe Dodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    I would love to go back, and particularly to see Skye.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Cafe member Kevin MacLeod, who is a stalwart of the Scottish folk/trad scene, might be able to help. His user name is kmmando and his Facebook page is here
    Last edited by Ron McMillan; Sep-03-2019 at 8:05am. Reason: more information

  5. #5

    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    My wife and I are off to Edinburgh at the end of the week for 2 weeks. We're looking for some help/tips on where to find clubs with music while we are there. We'll also spend a few days in Skye as well, so a heads up there would also be appreciated.

    We've heard they have whisky around there, so we might have to sample that as well

    thanks in advance for any guidance,
    bill
    Bill, my family went last summer, and we stayed in Plockton which is on the mainland before you cross to Skye (its a much cooler town than anything on Skye, as well--harbor, island, castle, train trestle . . .) Anyway, there are two pubs in Plockton. One had an open jam, think it was a wed or thursday, and we sat in and were graciously welcomed.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    As no one else has chimed in, for decades the traditional music oasis in Edinburgh has been Sandy Bell's bar. It has live traditional music every night, apparently.
    Last edited by Ron McMillan; Sep-05-2019 at 3:05am.

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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    MacGregors and Hootananny , both Church Street, Inverness.

    I don't know much about the scene in Skye, but I remember a similar question about a couple of years ago and someone came up with a list of sessions in Skye.

    Here it is:
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...kye%20sessions
    David A. Gordon

  8. #8
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Thanks
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Nigel Gatherer seems to run a few things : http://www.nigelgatherer.com/

    Good bloke too.
    - Jeremy

    Wot no catchphrase?

  10. #10
    Registered User mandolinstew's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    Thanks
    You missed the Festival Fringe.Bought a nice Bagpipe chanter there.

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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    I’d normally be in Scotland at the moment but we decided to tour Iceland instead - from where I’m writing this. Personally, I hate Skye. My memory of it goes back to the 1960s and I’ve visited it more or less every decade since; until recently. Why? First they built a bridge and then they removed the tolls so now the place is full of people dashing around on day trips -it’s simply too accessible these days entirely to its detriment.

    There are far better places to visit - we sailed to Arran earlier this year and love Orkney - although other favourites have now been over commercialised such as the, so called, “Northern 500” where people spend a summer much as 5 days clogging up the 500 miles of road around the Northern part of the country presumably seeing little of it and contributing even less to the local economy.

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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Have fun!!

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  14. #13
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    My pre internet bicycle tour was mostly on the west coast Inner Hebrides & Loch Ness to Aberdeen ..

    After starting out Dublin headed to the SW of Ireland & up the west & North coasts..
    Northwest 200 moto race circuit roads Portstewart and Portrush are just west of Bushmills distillers..



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  15. #14
    but that's just me Bertram Henze's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    When you go to Skye, bear in mind that the increasing traffic there has put the many single track roads under pressure. When there is more cars at a time than fit into one passing place, from both sides, you're stuck in a deadlock. And all the good places in Skye are only accessible by singe track roads. And many of the tourists are not familiar with the passing place system and the etiquette involved, or with right-hand steering, or neither.
    While you're in Edinburgh, you might want to pay a visit to The Kelpies in Falkirk and the William Wallace monument in Stirling.
    the world is better off without bad ideas, good ideas are better off without the world

  16. #15

    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Quote Originally Posted by Bertram Henze View Post
    While you're in Edinburgh, you might want to pay a visit to The Kelpies in Falkirk and the William Wallace monument in Stirling.
    If you do go to Falkirk, you'll be duty-bound to visit the Falkirk Wheel, a modern mechanical and engineering wonder every bit worth a stop.

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  18. #16
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    If you go to Falkirk, also visit the “Kelpies” but (1) don’t rely on sat-nav - ours took us into an industrial estate where others were also driving round lost and (2) park in the first car park - you have to pay in the nearest (second) one.

    Edit - I see the Kelpies have already been mentioned; long day in Iceland!

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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Ullapool is a cool little town I would recommend. There is very often good (and I stress good- the folks there do know, and musicians like to play there) music at The Ceilidh Place.

    Good for seeing the North West, doing boat trips, climbing hills, eating nice food, buying books.

    https://www.facebook.com/theceilidhplace/

    https://www.theceilidhplace.com/?fbc...BfVZwn3ZveNtIo
    Last edited by Dagger Gordon; Sep-07-2019 at 3:37am.
    David A. Gordon

  20. #18
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Nice, you can walk the whole length of the Isle of Skye in less than a day.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  21. #19
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Quote Originally Posted by atsunrise View Post
    Nice, you can walk the whole length of the Isle of Skye in less than a day.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Fit as we are for retirees, it’s nice to know, but we probably won’t do that. There might be a pub in the way.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

    Arrow Manouche
    Arrow Jazzbo
    Arrow G
    Clark 2 point
    Gibson F5L
    Gibson A-4
    Ratliff CountryBoy A

  22. #20

    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    T'were it me I'd visit the workshop of William Macdonald on Skye. http://macdonaldharps.net/

    I very nearly purchased a harp from William last year.

  23. #21

    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    While you'Re there why not pick out a nice Pegasus case from Sam Gifford?

  24. #22
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    On avoiding faults of GPS navigation.. I really like the Printed Ordinance Survey Maps https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/ ..

    Back Here we occasionally get some screw ups, reading the GPS Small Screen , Like:
    A Truck seeing a shortcut, but the screen shows no Topography ...

    And have had Semi trailers stuck on a particular block with a clear sign at the bottom.. No Trucks..
    Sidewalk on that section is a stairway..


    So, like Marine Navigation Charts Tell you where the bottom is and helps you not run hard aground..

    Don't leave port with out them..





    ...
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  25. #23
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    The Ordnance Survey maps are infinitely better than those on regular GPS devices but carrying round a full set is expensive and usually impractical. It’s therefore worth checking out hand held GPS devices which have on-board access to the OS maps and/or looking at an annual subscription for on-line access to their whole catalogue. You can do this for less than the cost of three individual maps.

  26. #24
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Just seen this thread, sorry for the delay in responding....

    The Waverley Bar in Edinburgh sunday afternoons 3-7 is usually excellent, and Sandy Bells Bar has sessions and music every night, and some early evenings and occasional afternoon spontaneous tunes. Captain's Bar, The Black Cat, all good for hearing something musical, and ask about where is happening next. I hope you have a great trip!

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  28. #25
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    Default Re: Off to Scotland

    Don't give up on Skye. It is a great island and Portree, the main town, is a lovely place. Don't try to walk it in a day; that would be daft. Instead do some sections of the 7 day Skye Trail. Lots of great musicians live on Skye. Take a look at the session.org for info on the sessions. A visit to Plockton, on the way to Skye, for sessions is also a good idea.
    Anglocelt
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