Ho!
I thought it might be about him- I'll send the verse(s) when I get them written. There was a whole community of Islanders who came across in the mid 1800's as a group and settled in northeast Maine. I have been documenting their gravestones- names like McCurdy and Black abound. Will send pix and info if you are interested. I'm sure they felt comfortable there as it is coastal, many islands etc. Still, they must have missed Rathlin. Interesting that the hot-air balloon that landed in the sea there left from Maine...? Perhaps we could arrange some kind of presentation next time we are over- maybe Sept?

Regarding your song, I know exactly the process you experienced. I firmly believe that the best songs, esp. those about a place, are "informed" by the nature of that place. As if the Genius Loci is speaking through you. So naturally, it would have the same "flavor" as Mull of Kintyre. We've done a lot of writing inspired by various places we've visited (sonic post-cards)and find this to be true. On another note (la!)I like to look at tunes named for people as portraits of them.

All the best to you both

I'll contact you via e-mail about the $

Julia