Duncan Chisholm (© Reaaz Mohammad)

Bogbain Farm, Inverness, 13 December 2009

BRUCE MACGREGOR has added promoting to the many strings on his busy bow, and has over the last couple of years been building an audience for concerts in the restaurant at Bogbain Farm, a space somewhere between a living room and a small village hall in size.

The chance to see Union Hill (Duncan Chisholm, Iain MacFarlane and Marc Clements) in such an intimate setting would have been too good to miss even without the added incentive of a two course meal beforehand. Tables were set out refectory-style, which added to the conviviality of the occasion as conversations spread to neighbours and neighbouring tables, warmed by good, wholesome food and a glass of wine.

The logistics of serving so many meals simultaneously – this was a first for Bogbain – delayed the music, but it was worth waiting for. The breathtakingly close fiddle partnership of Chisholm and MacFarlane on the solid foundation of Clements’ rhythm guitar recalled Blazin’ Fiddles at their best, especially when joined on a set or two by Macgregor – once the washing up was done.

Margaret Stewart was also persuaded to step up to the mike for some beautiful Gaelic singing. Complete with a raffle, the evening was the perfect example of the living tradition of Highland ceilidh culture. Jigs and reels, old tunes and new songs were interspersed with the good humoured banter and hilarious stories that make any gig with this talented trio such a joyful affair.

© Jennie Macfie, 2009

Links

• Bogbain Adventure & Heritage Farm

• Jennie Macfie