A full house always creates a good atmosphere and there is no doubt that the audience at Strachur Memorial Hall were well inclined to enjoy themselves at last weekend’s concert. But however willing the audience, it takes musicians of skill and character to build on the potential for a truly great evening.

Residents, and the masses of visitors, were extraordinarily lucky with the first act. The harp is a classic instrument in the traditional music repertoire, and just beginning a revival here, although we are told it is massively popular on the mainland of Europe.. However it is quite rare in the UK to see it as a solo instrument, or in a duo of unaccompanied harpists.

The moment Tristan Le Govic (pictured top left) and Ailie Robertson plucked their first notes, it was clear that the audience were in for something special. They quickly established a a relaxed and appreciative atmosphere in the audience. With Tristan’s virtuosity on the Breton harp, combined with appealing stories and song in Breton and French, it is no surprise that he is in demand at Festivals, has composed music for the cinema, and has won major competitions internationally.

Ailie is also no stranger to competition. No clarsach player has ever won the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award, but she was a rare clarsach finalist. Picking up five Mod gold medals along the way of her short career, she shows just how versatile the instrument can be. Her warmth, touch and subtlety shine through on stage. This duo made a wonderful exploration of the music of two different, but interlinked, cultures, creating a rich tapestry of traditional tunes, woven with new compositions. Their performance delighted everyone present.

With such an opening, could the next act keep up the standard? Rallion have roots in different parts of Scotland and different genres of music, with the international touch of a Dutch-born singer. Yet they have blended this into an individual, highly recognisable and distinctive style. The audience’s hands and feet responded to their joie de vivre and driving rhythms. The atmosphere (often the most difficult thing to explain to someone who is not present) was like having your best friends on stage, giving it some welly – and all especially for you.

On stage Rallion are clearly a band who are in love with performance, and their enthusiasm and humour is infectious. They are a strong unit – too often modern bands go on tour with varied line ups (a growing tendency I dislike). Rallion are a team where none of the component parts or players can be dispensed with. Their unique sound is based around the double fiddle powerhouse of Fiona Cuthill and Andrew Lyons, the punch on guitar and bouzouki of Iron Horse’s Steve Lawrence, and with Marieke McBean, on bodhran and guitar, adding strong, distinctive vocals.

Marieke was born in The Netherlands, and is a classically trained singer, but moved to Scotland because of her love of traditional Scottish music. So the mix of the Netherlands, Brittany and Scotland made these artists ideal for one of Fiddle Folk’s ‘Hands Across the Seas’ concert series.

Rallion played a number of sets from their new CD, One for Sorrow, which they launched in Argyll at this concert. An exciting album featuring a mix of traditional songs  from across the folk spectrum and remarkably fresh original tunes composed by members of the band, including a wonderfully melodic slow air, Waiting for Don, by Fiona Cuthill. Going by the queues at the CD desk, the audience were clearly keen on all the visiting musicians output!

The concert was put on as part of a collaborative cross-arts event between Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop/Fiddle Folk and Cowal Open Studios, and was supported by the Scottish Arts Council. On this occasion Western Ferries kindly helped out with extra financial help, enabling the community and tourists to have such a good night out..

Most of all, the audience’s reaction proved the importance of enabling rural communities to access top quality live music. As one member of the audience said at the end: ‘I have never had as fantastic an evening …the feeling of the community and being part of something was far better than any big concert or festival I have attended.’

Mark Morpurgo, Folk & Traditional Music Editor

All photographs are by copyright holder, Derek Prescott.