Glasgow Letter - 27.2.25

The page is called Ceòlraidh Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu and the abundance of photos and stories are well worth a look for anyone with an interest in Gaelic choral music. 

Needless to say, they have many trophy laden years to choose from! 

Their latest post looks back to the Lochaber Mòd in 2007 – a particularly memorable one for me because it was the first national mòd I ever attended. 

That year, Kenneth proudly held the Lovat and Tullibardine shield aloft for the first time since 1989.

 
The concert will be held in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall New Auditorium and will feature solo performances from Mòd Gold Medallists Jenna Cumming, Joy Dunlop, Donald-Iain Brown, Ryan Johnston and Joanie Morrison – who are all current or former members of the GGs.

Young musicians in the Park Bar

Last Thursday night, the Glasgow University Ossianic Society (An Comunn Oiseanach) held their annual piping competition in the Park Bar. 

This is a fantastic tradition that has been handed down through many generations of Gaelic speaking students at the uni and I remember enjoying these nights in my own student days. 

This year’s event was organised by Innes Scullion and chaired by Ruairidh Gray. Judges were Finlay Frame and Angus MacPhee. Congratulations to all the young pipers who competed. 

It was a busy weekend in the Park with a new band making their debut on Sunday evening. 

The Passing Place (a brilliant name!) are a young trio featuring pipes, accordion, and Gaelic song. We’ll surely be hearing much more of them in the near future!  

Cèilidhs this weekend

Don’t forget the two concerts I mentioned last week that are taking place this weekend.

First up is the Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir in St Brides’ Church Hyndland Road, this Friday. 

Special guests for the concert will be Mòd Gold Medallist, Ryan Johnston and BBC Scotland’s political editor, Glenn Campbell, as Fear-an-Taighe. 

The choir, as ever, are conducted by Kirsteen Grant and tickets are available from choir members or by emailing secretary@gigc.org.uk. 

Also check out the Comunn Tìr nam Beann association ceilidh in Augustine United Church, Edinburgh, on Saturday night. 

Joy Dunlop is the Gaelic singer for the evening and the line-up will be completed by Iain Main, Andrew MacIntyre, and the Magnus Turpie Combo.

What’s On

• Friday February 28: Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir Concert in St Brides’ Church, Hyndland Road, at 7.30pm 
• Saturday March 1: Comunn Tìr nam Beann Dun Èideann cèilidh in Augustine United Church at 7pm
• Saturday March 8: The Tiree Association Whist Drive in The Woodside Halls, Glenfarg Street, at 7.30pm
• Friday March 14: Honouring Kenneth, An Evening of Choral Music with the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall New Auditorium at 7.30pm