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Carnival 2023 – Scotland to Sardinia by Train – Day Four – Feldkirch Carnival
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With this being my eleventh carnival trip I’ve learnt that it is not unusual when travelling in Europe at this time of year to stumble serendipitously across some sort of carnival event. read more…
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Carnival 2023 – Scotland to Sardinia by Train – Day Three – Höchst to Bludenz
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After drinking numerous pots of mispelchen the previous night we expected to wake bleary, thankfully the apple brandy from Frankfurt […] read more…
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Carnival 2023 – Scotland to Sardinia by Train – Day Two – Ijmuiden to Höchst
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Predictably, everything was smoother, cleaner and more efficient as soon as we disembarked and set foot on Dutch soil. Although […] read more…
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Carnival 2023 -Scotland to Sardinia by Train – North Shields to Ijmuiden
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We chose the ferry to the Netherlands from the north of England over the Eurostar for a few reasons. First, […] read more…
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Carnival 2023 – Scotland to Sardinia by Train – Day One – Taynuilt to North Shields
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I’m lucky enough to live in one of the few villages in North Argyll with a train station, an easy, […] read more…
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Carnival 2023 – Scotland to Sardinia by Train – Introduction
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I have long been interested in the pre-Lenten carnivals that take place throughout Europe. The combination of old traditions, local […] read more…
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Dancing Around The Mast
I think this was the first tune I wrote on gaita, the bagpipe from Galicia in north west Spain, it’s certainly the first I have written down. read more…
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Stalker Castle – Slip Reel?
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Here’s an interesting wee tune from The Piper’s Assistant, Published by Glen Bagpipe Makers in 1845 and edited by John McLachlan. read more…
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Mrs Catherine McNally of Glenburn
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A slow jig named after my paternal grandmother, Catherine McNally (nee McCormick) of Glenburn in Paisley. read more…
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Duncan’s Boots
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This reel was written in the summer of 1997 after a memorable time at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye during […] read more…
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Captain Service’s Trip to Whitehead
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Here’s a wee march that I wrote in 1997 and dedicated to Campbell Service, or Paddy as he was known […] read more…
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The Tempting Seamstress
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This tune was written back in 1996 when I had nimble fingers due to all the busking. read more…
