ONE of Scotland’s foremost folk bands is embarking on the latest leg of a unique quest to play a gig on every inhabited Scottish island.
Daimh — pronounced dive and meaning kinship in Gaelic — have so far played on 26 islands but they still have a few more to go as they set sail for their summer tour.
Following vocalist Ellen MacDonald’s crowning as Gaelic Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scottish Music Awards in December, the veteran folksters are back on the road after resting up following their winter tour of America.
The band kicked off the tour with a free concert in Crieff on Saturday and head for the Isle of Luing today.
Fiddler Gabe McVarish says they will play “the usual quota of theatres, village halls and major festivals plus a few of our favourite Hebridean hotspots that continue to justify our ancient clan motto: ‘No gig too big, no hall too small’.”
In addition to the two new islands, the band will also be playing at the 20th anniversary celebrations of the community buyout on the Isle of Eigg, the island McVarish now calls home.
“It’s a double dunter for me,” he says. “Myself and a friend set up a small brewery on the island a couple of years ago and it’s fairly taken off.
This year I am not only playing at the event but also supplying all the beer!”
“It’s a tall order to sort out a gig on all the islands but we’re determined to give it our best shot,” says guitarist Ross Martin. “If anyone can do it, Daimh can.”
For tour dates see www.daimh.net
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