A GOOD crowd gathered at the Inveraray Inn for the February club night of the Inveraray Accordion and Fiddle Club, enjoying an evening packed with traditional music, song and lively performances.
Compere Jane MacKay opened proceedings by welcoming the audience before inviting Fyne Folk to take to the stage. Featuring Jake MacKay and Sally Hall on fiddles, Margaret Campbell on keyboard and John Kelly on guitar, the group set the tone with a rousing selection of pipe marches followed by Scottish and Gaelic waltzes.
The evening showcased a strong line-up of local performers, with Ishbel Fraser taking to the stage on the mouth organ, accompanied by Jake and John, delivering a well-received set of Gaelic tunes. John Kelly followed with a selection of songs, including The Road and the Miles to Dundee.
The mouth organ proved a popular feature on the night, with Joe Campbell and Margaret Kemp both entertaining the audience with varied sets of waltzes and reels. Jane MacKay also performed, rounding off the first half with a song accompanied by Jake.
Guest performers stepped in at short notice following the illness of scheduled artist Iain MacPhail, with Nicky McMichan on lead accordion, Craig McFadyen on second accordion and drummer Iain Stewart travelling from Dumfries. The trio delivered a polished and varied programme, including marches, jigs, polkas and Irish reels, with Craig also taking the lead for a popular set of Gaelic waltzes.
After the interval, which included a raffle and refreshments, the evening continued with further performances from both local musicians and the guest trio, who closed the night in style with a lively set of jigs.
Jane MacKay thanked all performers and contributors for what was described as a great night of music, which ended with an enthusiastic encore.
The club now looks ahead to its next and final meeting of the season, when Rowardennan bandleader Neil MacMillan and his Scottish Dance Band will provide the grand finale.
