The Taransay Fiddlers – Page 27 – The homepage of Fidhleirean Eilean an Fhraoich

Taransay CD Notes Calum Watt.

Taransay Live 2007 is a recording from this years Taransay Fiddle Camp
final concert which takes place in July each year in Harris Community
Hall.

Each year Fidhlearein Eilean an Fhraoich (Fiddlers of the Heather
Isles) run the seven day long fiddle based music camp each year on the
wonderfully relaxed and beautifully stunning island of Taransay. The
uninhabited six thousand acre island which was the setting for BBC
Castaway project is home normally to only Red Deer and Sheep.
Taransay hugs the bay on the coast line of the larger island of Harris
in the Outer Hebrides.

Fidlearein Eilean an Fhraoich have been using this unique location
since 2001 as the setting for this innovative traditional music based
project. In 2007 a total of fifty fiddlers of all levels and
abilities came together for a fully music packed week – under the
tuition of some of Scotland’s best fiddlers and musicians Patsy Reid,
Alistair White, Charlie Mackerrion, Alan Henderson,Ian Macfarlane,
Andy Thorbourn and Bridgette Law from USA.

No holiday this – with fiddles blazing each and every day from the
first lessons at 9am – and on into the small wee hours until some
particularly difficult Reel Jig or Strathspey is finally mastered and
sits neatly under the fingers. Accommodation is bring your own tent
or sleep in the bunk houses last inhabited by Ben Fogel and his other
Castaways cronies. The food and hospitality is second to none with
local celebrity cooks Catherine and Isobel dishing out the plentiful
cuisine.

This CD represents the fruits of the Fiddle Camp labours and is a must
for anyone who likes down to earth honest music – presented and
performed in the format of fun, friendship and great “crack”. The CD
captures the moment and gives us, the jealous listener an insight into
the great time the performers must have had during there special week
on Taransay.

The piping of Andy Macyntyre heralds the concert opening, followed by
the MaKerrons Class, Session M8, Alistair White and Patsy Reid,
Bridgette’s Class – Traditional song from Catriona Watt, Duet by Ian
Macfarlane and Charlie Mackerron, Patsy Reid’s Class followed by the
stunning singing of the newly formed Taransay Gaelic Choir!! New
song from Bridgett Law. Closing with the now standard Taransay
Fiddlers Stramash

Tracks
1Andy Macyntre – Dr Ross’s 50 Welcome to the Argyllshire Gathering
2Charlie Mackerrons Class – Patsy Reid’s Trip to Alvie Bothy –
Hangmans Rell
3Session M8 – Da Stockit Licht, Harvest Home, Mrs MacLeod of Rassay
4Alistair White and Patsy Reid – Christie Campbell, Traditional
Strathspey, Munlochy Bridge In and out of the Harbour, Dan Breens
Reel, Roddy Macdonalds fancy
5Bridgette Laws Class – Arkansas Traveller
6Bridgette Law’s Class – Tennesse Waltz
7Catriona Watt – Mo Bhean Coman
8Alistair Whites Class -= J.Gows Hornpipe
9Ian Macfarlane and Charlie Mackerron- Togail curs ar Leodhas, Braes
of Castle Grant, Iron man, Contradiction.
10Patsy Reid – Ferrit on the shore.

11Patsy Reid’s Class – Jacksons Fancy, Come Awa in
12Taransay Gaelic Choir – Mo llann Down Boyach
13Taransay Gaelic Choir – Mile Marabhaisg Air Ghaol
14 Bridgette Law – Land called Taransay
15Taransay Fiddlers – Barroburn Reel, Banshee, Tongadale Reel, Jenny
Dang the Weaver
16Taransay Fiddlers – Kesh Jig, Kenny Gilles of Portnalong

As if there was not enough feel good factor surrounding this CD then
the fact that it was made and produced totally in the Western Isles
and the fact that all proceeds from sales go to funding of next years
camp – is good enough reason for it to be a must for any CD
collection.
THe Chairman

Planet Fidhle (David Attenborough 1 – Taransay 2006)

Planet Fidhle
(David Attenborough 1 – Taransay 2006)

And so here we are among the remote community of Tar-nan-say – a tribe of fidhlers so primitive that they still communicate using carved pieces of wood attached to their chins. We have an example here – (shows a fiddle)

In order to communicate, they scrape lumps of horse hair across the strings
(- demonstrates making screeching sound)

There are lots of communication patterns – sometimes one person on their own will communicate – perhaps to a deity perhaps to themselves. Sometimes this is done in a field away from the other fidhlers. Sometimes, during a “sesh-un” everyone plays at once. This process seems to be very difficult for the fidhlers.

Sometimes the fidhlers huddle around in small groups with a wise tribal elder called a “tew-tor”, who seems to carry the old knowledge called “tewns”

Some of the elders can be described. Dow-lann (the “one of the chairs”) is a mystical figure who floats around the island and is talked about with hushed reverence.

The “Wooden One” is known for sending parcels to distant lands.

The “Kenny One” wears pink tee-shirts and quietly gets things done.

“Wheelie Markree” is a very distinguished elder who has the ability to carry people over water to foreign lands (he uses a special craft known as the Wilmac Ferry) He often makes prophecies in words of four letters. We have observed him become impatient with people who fail to honour his status.

Thene we have the Sisterly Ones – Eesable and Karthrin. People come and pay homage to them three times a day and leave with food to eat. They are often brought to their place in a chariot.

Another tribe are the 4 legged “woollies” who sometimes invade the fidhlers territory and leave mementoes.

Planet Fidhle (David Attenborough 2 – Taransay 2007)

Planet Fidhle
(David Attenborough 2 – Taransay 2007)

So here we are again on the remote island of Taransay with the Tar-an-say Fidhlers.

This year we have observed some of their secret ceremonies.

A-lek is the elder of the stove ceremony. Here he tries to capture the elusive “fire” and does the “ray-king” of the stove, using a long ceremonial dagger.

The regular annual ceremony of the mar-a-kee involves many of the male fidhlers. They link four totem poles with yards of canvas using long ropes. This mar-a-kee is growing each year – showing the flourishing of the tribe.

Interestingly the roof ceremony involves one of the female fidhlers. First a disc is thrown onto the rook of the stee-ding building. A female fidhler then climbs on the roof and adopts a ceremonial fidhler pose.

The fidhlers try every year to harness the magical power of the “e-lek-treek” but so far their rituals don’t impress this deity who shows his anger by withdrawing his energy at the most awkward times.

The fidhlers have developed an initiation ceremony. This elaborate ritual involves a fidhler entering a darkened room (please see the previous ceremony) removing all of their clothes and spraying themselves with freezing water.

We must pay tribute to one elder called Day-vee who was not on the island this year. He had volunteered to begin a new generation of fidhlers and was too busy with the ceremonies of the na-pee and the fee-ding to come.

It has seemed for the first time that the fidhlers use human sacrifice. Two female ca-no-ists arrived in the week and have not been seen since. We fear this may be the beginning of a very worrying trend.

An finally the most important ceremony of all. The tribal elders build a huge effigy of the Do-lan (the “Man of the Chair”) and carry it to the beach where they have lit a ceremonial fire. After chanting mystical prayers, they throw the effigy onto the fire and then cheer loudly. We believe that this ceremony is undertaken to purge “bad tunes” from their “sesh-uns”.

Isle of Taransay History from 300AD.

The Isle of Taransay History from 300AD.

Taransay is located in the Outer Hebrides and is made up of two islands connected together by an isthmus of sand. If you want to visit Taransay, you will have to do so in a smaller boat because there are no harbours where large ferries can land. This island has been inhabited since about 300 A.D., when it was home to Celtic pagans. Their descendants converted to Christianity in the 700’s and in the 900’s this island was taken over by the Norse Vikings. Throughout history it has been the site of fierce battles, such as in the Massacre of Taransay in 1544, when the Morrisons of Lewis invaded. However, this act did not go unpunished as the people from the island of Berneray forced the invaders to a rock, where they were executed. This rock is now known as Sgeir Bhuailte – Smitten Rock.
At one time there were three villages on Taransay, but the population gradually decreased until there was only one family still living here – the MacRae’s of the village of Paible. They left the island to live on the mainland in 1961. From then on the island was mainly a place for sheep to graze. It was the filming of the movie Castaway in 2000 that brought Taransay into the limelight. When the show ended in 2001, the buildings were left intact and the island became a very popular tourist destination.
The filming of Castaway on Taransay featured a group of 36 people, handpicked from over 4000 volunteers, who were marooned on the island. 29 of these volunteers lived on the island for a year in temporary shelters, called pods, which were built in the former village of Paible. The intention of this show was to demonstrate how a group of people could form a community. The show was broadcast to many countries of Europe and was a resounding success, with about 9 million viewers.
The entire island is a working farm and along with the stunning scenery, visitors here can also visit historic sites. At one time there were two chapels on the island. Both are long gone, but you can still see the remains of Saint Keith’s chapel. Taransay is a birdwatcher’s paradise, but the only wildlife on the island is red deer. It is really a beautiful location because of the blooming wildflowers and plant life that grows wild.
Stroll around the island and imagine what it must have been like to live here with no modern facilities such as electricity and indoor plumbing. Spend some time alone with your thoughts as you gaze out to see. If you like walking and enjoying the beauties of nature, then this is one vacation that you will remember for a long time. The Mackay House and the School Chalet are original buildings on the island that were renovated for the filming of the movie. These are now available as tourist accommodations.

Cape Breton Visit.2008

#Dolan Morrison
Taransay Fiddlers
31/10/2008
Taransay fiddlers visit cape bretons celtic colours

Sixteen Taransay fiddlers have just returned from Nova Scotia and Cape Breton where they played their music in nearly every corner of the island.
After a short stay in Iceland where all the fiddlers swam in the Blue Lagoon geothermal waters it was on to Halifax.
A visit to Pier 21 in Halifax where 1.5 million immigrants, war brides, displaced people, evacuee children and Canadian military personnel passed through between 1928 and 1971 was enjoyed on a lovely sunny day.
The fiddlers then picked up three 30 foot Winnibagoes for onward travel to Peggys Cove where the fiddlers played in the local Sou` Wester restaurant to great applause.Peggys Cove is situated on the south shore of Nova Scotia. The local fish chowder was enjoyed by all.
It was then northwards to Hammonds Plains where the fiddlers were entertained by local couple Leila and Chris Gashus who also fed the group for the long onward journey.As Liela was originally from Glasgow she enjoyed hearing the fiddlers.Next stop was Antigonish a cultural centre of Atlantic Canada.As it was Thanksgiving Sunday some of the fiddlers actually made it to church on Sunday morning.
After a day in Antigonish it was northwards for Cape Breton and the Ceilidh Trail.At last they crossed the causeway and before long were in Judique the home of Buddy Macmaster.Cape Breton Island is now joined to the mainland by the Canso Causeway, completed in 1955,The fiddlers performed twice in the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre,Judique.A Cape Breton legend Kinnon Beaton also played in the afternoon.Buddy Macmaster sadly could not perform as he was unwell.This was a shame as his home is actually next door to the centre.At the concert in the evening the stars of the show were our very own Shonnie Beag and Calum Alex Macmillan.
Next stop was Little Judique where a fry of fresh mackerel and some local crowdie was aquired and subsequently devoured in no time.
Mabou next and the famous Red Shoe where local musicians played.The Red Shoe has become famous for its entertainment and is now owned by The Rankin Family.
Its then through Inverness and Cheticamp and on wards to the Cabot Trail ,a two hundred mile drive and one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world. Named for famous explorer John Cabot, the Cabot Trail winds around the rocky splendour of Cape Breton’s northern shore, ascending to the incredible plateaus of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This magnificent highway is carved into the sides of mountains that rise high above the shimmering waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Lookoffs offer unforgettable vistas of Cape Breton’s rugged coastline, where pods of whales can often be seen just offshore and bald eagles soar aloft .
Offshore are the Magellan Islands and the Gulf of St Lawrence.Dingwall is the next stop for two days.
Virgin forest of 300 year old sugar maples with wonderfull colours are in abundance.The scenery is spectacular.
The concert in the evening has Cape Breton legends Brenda Stubberts and Howie Macdonald playing along with Bryan Gear and Violet Tulloch(Shetland)with Angus Grant Sen.from Fort William.
Friday and the rains came and it is southwards to St Annes where Mairi Smith(Ness) seemed shocked to find so many from Lewis walking towards her.Baddeck is next where the fiddlers perform in the Yellow Cello and then a concert to watch Beolach a talented young Cape Breton band.The fiddlers again perform at the Inverary resort in Baddeck.
Saturday and forward to Sydney an old industrial town where the giant fiddle resides.Weighing 10 tonnes and costing $100,000, this massive solid steel fiddle resides at the newly renovated Sydney Marine Terminal .The fiddle is 16 metres high and fully stringed.Cape Breton’s style of Celtic fiddle music originated with Scottish immigrants about two centuries ago
The fiddlers settle on Saturday night at Whycocomagh.It is located on the eastern edge of Inverness County in the central part of Cape Breton Island. The community sits on the northwestern shore of St. Patrick’s Channel, an arm of Bras d’Or Lake. Whycocomagh is a Mi’kmaq word which means ‘Head of the Waters’.
The community is bisected by the Skye River.
Southwards again and back to Peggys Cove and finally to Halifax for the flight home.
A most enjoyable and very busy trip especially for our younger fiddlers who received an insight into Cape Breton and Scottish fiddle music from a Canadian perspective.The Taransay Fiddlers would like to thank all those who assisted in the organisation of the trip and those that helped us in any way.