After a two week tour of England and Scotland promoting the Croftwork album, we finished the tour at the Rum Festival. Rum is small island just south of Skye with a population of about two dozen. The weather was great and over 500 people came to enjoy a fantastic Festival. Here we are pictured boarding a speedboat from Mallaig.
The ferry to Rum was to take five hours as it stopped at the other small isles first. So we put our bus with our equipment onto the ferry and a rib was arranged to take us at high speed across the water. We got to put on very loud oilskins to keep us dry. It was a very enjoyable trip and took four and a half hours off our journey. Tom looks very happy with himself as we zip past Skye, having not seen it for over two weeks.
It's always great to play near home and a lot of our friends turned up to cheer us on. There was a great line up for both nights and the midge-free sunny weather had the crowd in good spirits. Iain is pictured hear doing the gig bit before the inevitable island partying.
Pictured here with one of his daughters is Sandy Fraser, the main organizer of the festival. The end of festival party was a family friendly affair with people of all ages dancing and entraining till the early hours. The first Sound of Rum Festival was as well organized as any of the best festivals we have played. Every small detail was attended to in order to make sure everyone had a fantastic time. It was a credit to the organizers and in you would like to go to the next one you will need to get tickets early as it is sure to be a sellout.
Iain isn't usually the most shy one in the band but on this occasion he seems to be trying to keep his identity secret. The broad Weegie accent was a bit of a giveaway though, especially as he wasn't at his quietest.
As only essential vehicles were allowed on the island, our bus was very handy to take back piles of instruments and assorted others items on to and off the ferry. The bogbus saved our friends on foot bit of labor. Leo McCann is seen here squeezing in one more pushchair.
Another highlight of our 2005 summer touring was our first visit to Orkney. We found the locals to be very friendly and hospitable.Orkney is a beautiful island and we took the opportunity to take in some of the archaeological sites. This incredible standing stone is at the roadside near the ring of Brodgar. We thought it was clever of stone age men to put it so close to the road as you don't even have to get out of the car to look at it.
We also visited the incredible 5000 year old tomb, Maues Howe. The inside is covered in Viking runes telling of their exploits and of all the treasure they carried away It was built 4000 years before the Vikings arrived and at mid winter when the sun is at it's lowest, a beam of light shines through the ten meter entrance tunnel onto a stone on the back wall illuminating the chamber.
In Orkney they have the very sensible policy of doubling the village halls as the school sports halls. They use the classrooms as back stage rooms for the bands. If there are any kids reading this, that beer was there when we arrived. Guitarist/ pupil Seamus is handing in his homework on the new MacLennan tour diet. Teacher/Bass guy Innes thinks he is onto a winner. Staff Supervisor/ Sound Engineer David is off to order the Ferrari already.
We left Orkney having been well looked after and having had a great time. Many thanks to Johnny Mowat, Fionn MacArthur and the rest of the organizers. They know how to put on a good show up there. We enjoyed two great gigs and hope to return soon.
