The line up this year is fantastic with "KAN" amongst the best. Login's Well superb, many, many more and chance of some good sessions in The Royal and the Ferry Inn.Upstairs in the Stromness Hotel you can find a good session. I don't think there is a session at the reel on FF weekend but normally every Saturday. If you can get to some of the other islands (depending on where and how you are stopping) there are other things happening. Try Hoy. There is never a session in St Margaret's Hope but a Thursday concert in the Cromaty Hall AT FF time. You must visit the outer islands. It's cold so you need decent clothing (Thick hail turned to ice and snow in the Hope this morning.) There is a sort of session (Open mike, skilled musicians) on some Friday nights but you need to check when. Shame you are a guest and not a member. I'll tell you now, most of the best concerts are sold out already.

I've lived here six years. I played sessions all over the place down South, was in a popular working ceiledh band with several other mudcatters. Played with loads of people. I've been to many gatherings but here I can only praise the Wrigley sisters for their openess and welcoming attitude (And huge level of skill and quality of performance) I include Bruce in this. But even though I met quite a few musicians, never got to play with many.(You can get glared at) Orkney is one of the most beautiful places you will ever go with some of the best people you could ever hope to meet but many of the musicians are a closed book if you are not Orcadian.

I'll say this...If you get chance to listen to the developing young musicians such as Jack Kirkpatrick etc, you will be blown away. Have fun. I won't be going.