Hello Julie,

Aye, it's Ptarmi OK, but someone beat me to that name here, so I had to choose another favourite wee bird's name for my Mudcat handle.

So the answer is no, I wasn't trying to hide behind a Siskin - I actually used to keep & show those tiny little birds, so I know that you can't hide much behind one!

Yes, I'm keen to get some feedback & get the beast into some sort of realistic shape.

I knew I was taken a chance, introducing it on an Irish Music Forum, especially when Northern musicians saw it, because, as you have seen already, some folks up here get very hot under the collar when they even see the words 'Ulster-Scot' or Scots-Irish.

Still, I'm only going to get the 'rounded' picture I'm looking for, of what this thing is, or isn't, if I throw it open to both sides.

Must say I've had some positive feedback at The Session, but none yet from actual northern musicans who have first hand experience 'at the coal face'.

Still, it'll be interesting to hear what your friend might think.

"As a Scot involved in the Irish Community it is quite interesting"
Yes, in many ways that could describe my situation here too, so you can perhaps see how I might be so interested myself.

Thanks J