|
: Home
: About
Us : Our
History : Our
Members : News
: Events
: Repertoire
: Merchandise
: Links
: Contact
Us: Guestbook
:
Scalloway
Fire Festival…
An
account from our Pipe Major, Aileen Cartney…
Weather in Shetland is generally sh......fairly inclement. Weather in
Shetland in January is really....inclement!! And being Up-Helly-Aa
territory, many of the pipe band’s gigs are in January! Super!
Although the band hasn’t played at Scalloway’s Fire Festival for a wee
while now, we were invited to play this year.
Expecting the worst (that way, we’re never disappointed!) we left
Lerwick at the back of six. All the while, we were half waiting for
the weather to turn, because Scalloway never gets a good night - in fact,
the procession has been cancelled on a number of occasions. If not
cancelled, the band has to battle through snow drifts, gale force winds
and arctic temperatures, all the time reminding ourselves that “this is
our hobby - we do this for fun!” A quote from former piper, Davie Shand.
Well, the weather did not turn, and for the first year ever, we had a fine
night. So off we marched, down to the road where the light -up would
take place, the brass band leading us with some rousing tunes. The
flare was set off and torches were lit, then the brass band continued with
our route. At the old folk’s home, we were to continue the music
and play to the end of the procession. Since our regular lead drummer was
not out that night, Sarah Jane Massie stepped into the breach and did the
honours, and a grand job she did, too! 6/8s and 4/4s were the order
of the evening till we got to the Shetland Fisheries College, where,
apparently, we were being guided by a marshal to the left. However,
this was contrary to my instructions and I didn’t notice him,
anyway!) so I led the band behind the squads to the college - and what a
squeeze it was! Not a lot of room for us to follow!
Nevertheless, we made it back into our ranks and, more importantly, back
to the boating club! The hospitality was up to its usual high
standard, with drinks from the bar!! What more could a pipe band ask
for? (Apart from more drinks from the bar, of course!)
After a break to have a dram (or several, in some folk’s case - eh,
Gussy?!) we were to play for a spell in the boating club. We did
various selections, including the 9/8s, The Battle of the Somme and The
Heights of Dargai. It was at this point, I wondered how much Gussy
had had, for he kept wandering off to speak to people! Every time he
was yelled at for doing so, he said he “wash jusht shpeaking to hish
friend!!” Anyway, we finished off with our party piece, Highland
Cathedral, had another dram, and headed for home, since we had a very big
night to follow on Saturday at the Galley Shed!
|