Venue Profile: Glenuig Hall

2 Nov 2008 in Highland

GLENUIG HALL in Moidart

Director’s Statement: Eoghan Carmichael

GLENUIG, although a very small community in a fairly remote area, has a long history as a centre of fine music and great craic, dating well back to the early 20th century before road access was available. Renowned musicians such as Angus Grant, Fergie MacDonald and the late Faraquhar MacRae have been long time regulars, and of course Glenuig is home to the famous piping MacDonald brothers, Allan, Iain and Angus.

Singer and songwriter Jim Hunter is a local and a regular performer, and the likes of Angus R Grant (of Shooglenifty), Iain MacFarlane (of Blazin’ Fiddles) and Michaela Rowan (of Mouth Music, etc) cut their teeth playing at many informal sessions in Glenuig when they were young, and continue to make regular appearances in the hall with their fellow musicians.

We are proud to have been involved at an early stage in the resurgence of interest in traditional music in Scotland and through our Glenuig Music Festivals (1983-93) to have demonstrated that small communities can indeed host live music events that attract good audiences and, with commitment from local volunteers and some financial assistance from funding bodies and enthusiastic audiences, can be made to work. We also owe no small thanks to the forbearance of the many musicians who performed for us in the early days.

Our aim is to continue to bring quality performances in all art forms to our remote communities, and to continue fostering an interest in music and the arts. We hope our continuing contributions will help to sustain a thriving Scottish cultural scene for many years to come.

Eoghan Carmichael faces the questions

NORTHINGS: When was the venue established?

EOGHAN: The hall was opened in 1995, after many years fundraising, most notably (and memorably) through the Glenuig Music Festivals.

NORTHINGS: What famous names have taken to the stage?

EOGHAN: There have been many. Capercaillie have appeared several times (including one of their very first gigs at our first Music Festival in 1983); many others include Dick Gaughan, Andy Irvine, Shooglenifty, Blazin’ Fiddles, Billy Bragg, Scottish Opera, Tam White, Salsa Celtica, Davy Steele, Scottish Dance Theatre, Duncan Chisholm & Ivan Drever, Johnny Cunningham, Christian Le Maitre, Phil & Aly, Donald Black & Malcolm Jones, Battlefield Band, Michael Marra, Phil Kay, Bruce MacGregor, Alasdair Fraser, Julie Felix, Liz Lochhead, Michael McGoldrick, Bonnie Prince Billy …. the list could go on (and on).

NORTHINGS: What are your big ideas for the future of the venue?

EOGHAN: To keep going and to ensure Glenuig Hall remains at the heart of the local community and the Scottish live music scene.

NORTHINGS: Does the venue have a ghost?

EOGHAN: Not yet, I’m still here…

NORTHINGS: What was your worst disaster as director?

EOGHAN: Fingers crossed, we haven’t really been faced with a disaster yet, we seem to manage to avert them. Touch wood.

NORTHINGS: And what was your biggest triumph?

EOGHAN: The fact that we are still promoting events after thirty years, proving that a small rural community can support a busy and sustainable arts programme given a strong and enthusiastic volunteer base.

NORTHINGS: If you could have any artist in the world for a one-off special, who would it be, and why?

EOGHAN: Given the long standing affiliation of many of the hall’s founders and activists, and our other connections, it would have to be the Grateful Dead. Perhaps Jerry would be our ghost for the night?

NORTHINGS: Why should people look forward to visiting your venue?

EOGHAN: We took great care in designing our hall and everyone who comes here admires the structure and ambience of the building. It is a fantastic hall with real atmosphere and an intimacy between audiences and performers that can seldom be matched elsewhere. In addition, Glenuig itself is a beautiful spot with fantastic scenery and wildlife, ideally situated for a visit to Britain’s highest mountain (Ben Nevis), most westerly point (Ardnamurchan Point) and many other attractions, and is also steeped in history, particularly from the Jacobite era.

Glenuig Hall has also been nominated for ‘Venue of the Year’ in the Scots Trad Music Awards which are being held on Saturday 6 December 2008.