VA Highland Festival Celtic Music Weekend

**Mael Coluim** · 4th August 10, 06:01 PM

This past weekend, I did the 5 hour drive to Abingdon to attend the Celtic Music Weekend of the three week Virginia Highland Festival. Two of my favorite bands were playing; Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans, and Rathkeltair. Enter the Haggis and Coyote Run would be there and a number of musicians. But what clinched going was that Tartan Hiker’s (Bill Sanderson) son, Connell was joining the Hooligan’s as their new bagpiper.

It was a nonstop drive to Abingdon to make the Hooligans 6:30 PM starting time. Mac Guinea Pig’s (nick name for my Honda Fit) gas tank was on empty and my tank was full.

The Hooligans opened the show! Connell is a talented musician, full of energy and his love of the pipes comes across strong.

Enter the Haggis would only play this night, and did two sets for the crowd.

The setting was downtown, outside in the Market Pavilion. It was an idyllic summer evening. A beer garden with Gaelic Ale from the Highland Brewery eased the tension from the long drive and a difficult work week!

**Mael Coluim** · 4th August 10, 06:20 PM

Saturday morning, at a park across from the Market Pavilion there was more musical entertainment. The Appalachian Highlanders Pipe & Drum started things off. I really enjoyed their performance of the song Shenandoah.

Cast in Bronze performed next which is a movable carillon of 35 bells weighing over 4 tons.

The musician called the spirit of the bells was clothed in a black outfit with mask. Most unusual.

Click here to see the YouTube Video.

This duo is Drums and Drones play music of what they describe as the no longer Celtic nations; Galicia and Brittany.

**Mael Coluim** · 4th August 10, 06:24 PM

The park had a lovely garden and this would be the last time I would be without my rain squall jacket. The Elkkomando kilt was perfect for the warm humid rainy day.

My wife’s gift each time I go to a Highland festival is to bring her back a sheep. I wondered if I would find one there and would hit a home run when I found this vendor, Fiber Dreams Santa who raises her own Cotswolds sheep for the wool for her creations.

Meet Corbin!

I took a time out from the music to walk to the trail head of the Virginia Creeper Trail and saw this wonderful N & W steam locomotive.

**Mael Coluim** · 4th August 10, 06:29 PM

The afternoon set started with Rathkeltair. They never disappoint.

This gal showed her pleasure with a dance!

Coyote Run as always gave a good show singing story songs that have made them a crowd favorite. Tinsmith would follow playing Irish trad.

Uncle Hamish and the Hooligans would close the night. I videoed their performance of their song, The Warning, about the piper ghost who haunts Duntrune Castle. Click here to see the video on Youtube.

The Hooligans have always performed Dougie MacLean’s song The Gael exceptionally. With their new piper, they had the crowd on their feet with this performance of it, and in my estimation gave the best performance of all the bands in the festival. Well, done Shawn and company!

**Zardoz** · 5th August 10, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

Cast in Bronze performed next which is a movable carillon of 35 bells weighing over 4 tons.

The musician called the spirit of the bells was clothed in a black outfit with mask. Most unusual.

Frank Della Penna's 'Cast In Bronze' is a very popular featured act at the Texas Renaissance Festival, he has his own stage in fact. My wife's trip to the faire isn't complete without hearing 'Carol of the Bells' at least once.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCwKf...eature=related