Waverley as a Music Venue
On Sunday 31st May, the Oban Gaelic Choir with the Sileas Sinclair Band, provided an evening Ceilidh Cruise from Oban to Fort William and back in what can only be described as idyllic sailing conditions. The cruise was a joint fund-raising effort between The Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival Committee and Waverley Excursions Ltd.
The music and singing was so good that even the
Engineers were tempted onto deck to take the air!
The evening proved a great success and although the Choir members and Band had to work throughout the eveing, they all seemed to enjoy performing on the unique platform of Waverley’s deck – just between the funnels!
A few photos from the evening are below
The music and singing was so good that even theEngineers were tempted onto deck to take the air!
Waverley is filmed as she passes through the Corran Narrows by PSPS Scottish Branch Chairman Stuart Mears and branch member John MacFarlane. They reported that the music from the decks could be clearly heard above the sound of the paddles and it is hoped that a short video clip will be posted on here in the near future.
Piper entertains on deck
Passenger transfer at Fort William – a few “sunny patches”evidence of the great overall day enjoyed by many
Passenger transfer continues at Fort William – a very big load from the town on this occasion
Waverly swings away from Fort William Pier andBen Nevis appears ahead with snow still visible at the top,
despite the very hot conditions at sea level.
The crowd continues to enjoy the music on board.
A well kent “Waverley face” appears to have given up selling raffle ticketsand joined the choir instead
The sun was setting as Waverley made her way back downLoch Linnhe towards Oban on this glorious evening
A collection of photos from the Ceilidh evening can be found here
The musicians entertain in the forward bar.
(Photo kindly supplied by Tom Carreyette)
By the time I got downstairs it was standing room only
outside the bar for what proved to be a very popular event.
On Monday 1st June, during Waverley’s trip to Tiree, the Mendelssohn on Mull Festival treated Waverley’s passengers to what was effectively the world premiere of an arrangement by Jonathan Cohen (a Waverley regular) of the ‘The Hebrides’ overture, performed by strings alone, on the leg from Oban to Tobermory.
The musicians entertain in the forward bar.(Photo kindly supplied by Tom Carreyette)
By the time I got downstairs it was standing room only
outside the bar for what proved to be a very popular event.
Waverley and Music seem to combine together very well!
Charles McCrossan