“The Machrin MacNeills, with Daddy Seamus, Uncle Hugh, fifteen year old Caitlin and 12 year old Liam, provided great entertainment and Caitlin’s lovely voice was also to be heard in her solo performances. The Donald (Pedie) MacNeill Clan also lay claim to a few stars with Donald himself a regular performer and his daughters Jen and Morna contributing to the show.

Jen paired up with other local lassies to play their fiddles and sing lovely, traditional Scottish airs as well as some of their own (at times very comical) compositions. Jen’s friend Anna MacDonald of Skye was another popular performer. Keir Johnson excelled himself not only showing off his skills as a musician but in his capacity as Sound Engineer for the Festival.

One of the most enjoyable sessions was ‘Teuchters do Dylan’. Keir proved to be quite a Dylan fan and excelled himself with his renditions of some well known tunes and Jim’s ‘Lay Lady Lay’ proved quite a hit.

The ceilidh was great craic and Scalasaig Hall, which is absolutely lovely, provided a great setting for Donald MacAllister and The Colonsay Ceilidh Band. Some of the dances have their very own Colonsay rules applied and the ‘Palais Glide’ had some spectacular sound effects as well. Intriguing stuff.

Definitely, a great week-end and good excuse to visit Colonsay. I’m hoping that this will just be the first of many more Colonsay Festivals – if the amazing two man committee, that comprises Keith Johnston and Donald MacNeill, has anything to do with it, it’s bound to be a regular annual event from now on in.”

Pat Byrne,
glasgowwestend.co.uk