Oh I really, REALLY love the fringe.  I have been busy!

Last night I went to see the Poozies at the Queen's Hall.  Its the first time I have seen them. Four inspirational women and last night they were joined by special guests Su-a Lee (cello & saw)  and Signy Jakobsdottir (percussion).   Sally Barker writes great songs and the I loved a pibroch written by Mairerad Green.  Mary MacMaster plays the electro harp brilliantly -  there were lots of Harpists there!  Being a fiddler though, I was amazed by Eilidh Shaw's playing.  How does she do it?  Plays fantastically, in tune and manages to dance energetically through it all too.  I really enjoy the mix of songs and tunes and came home inspired.

Also went to Duncan Chisholm's film Kin on Sunday.  A wonderful record of life in the Highlands and Islands through a number of musicians' kin.  Lovely old photos, and tape recordings of life around the late 19th and early 20 century. The soundtrack was played live by Duncan Chisholm - lovely.  My daughter is a keen film maker and she was very interested. 

Oh I love the Fringe!  So lucky that I live in Edinburgh.  I went out to the Royal Oak tonight (brilliant folk venue) to see Jim Malcolm.  What a voice and also fantastic acoustic guitar and mouthie playing!  Looking forward to seeing Rona Wilkie & Marit Fällt tomorrow night.

Just back from the Durham gathering.  Had a really great time there with great musicians. 

Performed on Friday and Saturday.  It was warm and sunny and there was a great programme of all the Folkworks groups.  

Here I am playing with band mates and Catriona MacDonald (photo taken by Jane Harrison).

Late night sessions, dancing, singing, and playing.  What could be better? A wonderful week.

Played at the Ross Bandstand in Princess Street Gardens yesterday as part of A Scottish Fantasia. We had an enthusiastic audience who danced in the sunshine! According to some friends the sound went far and wide and people were toe tapping throughout the gardens. Lovely day.  

Sound guys were great.  Bassline Productions

Went to Stonehaven Folk Festival last weekend.  I was camping - which was WET.  Flood warnings out and where were we? Camping right by the river. 

Anyway, I found myself on stage on Saturday playing a strathspey with Brian McNeil (one of the original members of the Battlefield Band).  That was interesting. 

Great performances from a range of bands and singers. First time I had seen Old Blind Dogs.  Also, good late night sessions too.

The Canon's Gait session has been going from strength to strength.  I have had some great evenings there recently.  Ed Miller has joined us for two weeks - fantastic folk singer. 

Also visited the Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh on Friday for a lovely afternoon's singing with another fantastic folk singer - Steve Byrne from Malinky.  

He reminded me of the  Kist o Riches site (which Steve worked on for three years). AMAZING resource for Scots song. music and storytelling.   I have been delving into this from time to time. 

Had a great night performing at the Queen's Hall on Wednesday.  Rehearsals from 2 pm and then performances in the choir, Strings Group and Folk Band.  It sounded great.  

Music Theory exam tomorrow.

I'm excited to be playing in the Fused Edinburgh Acoustic Festival this Friday.   We rehearsed today.  Final rehearsal is on Friday afternoon.  

The Festival kicks off at 4 pm and there are 12 acts.  Bar and hot food too!  Our headliner is Ewan Mclennan - looking forward to seeing him. He is the 2011 winner of the BBC Horizon award.   He is on around 10 pm. 

We (Stevenson Folk Band) will be playing about six sets and we are on at around 11 pm. It's all in a good cause - profits are going to Macmillan Cancer Support.  Go along if you can!  All the details and how to buy tickets are at the Fused Edinburgh website.