Tannahill Weavers' scariest gig
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LUCKILY the gigs where Scottish music globetrotters The Tannahill Weavers take their lives in their hands are few and far between.
The traditional music specialists got together in 1968 – though there have been many changes of line-up along the way.
But last year when they looked up Juarez in Mexico – a new stop on their gig list – they were all a bit worried at the border town’s description.
One of the group’s longest-serving members Roy Gullane laughed: "We went online where Juarez was described as ‘the most dangerous city in the world outside a war zone’.
"Basically there’s a turf war going on between the drugs cartels and lots of shootings.
"So we were a bit worried about that one.
"We’d been booked for a festival and played in the main square and it was absolutely fantastic.
"They’d never heard Celtic music before.
"And they must’ve liked it because we didn’t get shot!
"But the following week, we heard there was a truck found there full of dead bodies.
"Maybe music soothes the savage breast after all!"
Though there have been many albums over the years for the group that began life in Paisley – named after the town’s weaver-poet Robert Tannahill – Roy confirmed there were plans for another.
"We’re chipping away at it, " he laughed. "But we’re touring so much that it’s hard to fit it in."
As for Roy’s last solo album of his own material, he offered a clue to the years passed since then.
"Put it this way," he said. "There’s a picture on the back cover of the album of an infant curled up in my guitar case – that infant’s now 26 years old!"
And Roy’s now grown-up daughter has chosen teaching as a career instead of music.
"I think she probably saw the life of a musician from the other side, all the time spent away from the family," said Roy.
"But these days I tend to keep a bag packed ready to go with all my bits and bobs so I’m ready to go."
Talking about all the one-time Tannahill Weavers who have moved on emphasised that the constant touring is not for everyone.
Roy said: "Some people discovered that being on the road is not so glamorous or they had families and it isn’t so easy then to leave them behind to go on tour.
"Some stopped performing altogether and others like Dougie MacLean went on to have their own career!"
Though Roy now lives in the Netherlands – a place he feels very at home in– he revealed he still enjoys the odd traditional Scottish fry-up.
And he enjoys the travelling involved in touring with the group.
"We all get into our own space in the van.
"I do puzzles. Or if we’re in Scotland – especially in the North West – I just put my nose against the window and look out because the scenery is just so beautiful.
"I think the north west Highlands is the most beautiful place on earth!"
The Tannahill Weavers' Highland dates include: Arisaig Astley Hall tonight (Friday), Bogbain Farm, Inverness, on Sunday, Ullapool Village Hall on Monday, Strathpeffer Pavilion on Wednesday, July 25 and Kinlochleven Community Centre on Thursaday, July 26. For more details on the band and their live dates, go to www.tannahillweavers.com
