Borders / St Andrew's Party with Phil & Aly

A sad sight as I walked from the station into Buchanan Street. I have shopped in Borders for years, and was shocked to hear the news that the store will close soon. It was jam packed, and the queues too long to contemplate.

Dinner out with friends, and then a super evening at the Concert Hall for the annual St Andrew's Party. This was the first time I had heard Phil Cunningham (accordian/keyboard/whistles) and Aly Bain (fiddle) live. Several of their friends joined in the evening, including recent graduates from the RSAMD's Scottish Music Department, the 15 times world champion House of Edgar Shotts & Dykehead Pipe Band, and the gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. Scottish music old and new, jigs, reels, traditional folk songs, music from the islands. I loved the witty banter that went on between Phil & Aly, the orchestra and the audience. Towards the end Phil swopped places with conductor John Logan, which was a great laugh.

The highlights - Julie's beautiful singing and Phil's compositions The Hut on Staffen Island, and Cathcart - to hear a full orchestra and pipe band play together was awesome. The evening ended as I anticipated, with everyone singing Auld Lang Syne.

S