Hey people.. we are going into thread creep and sadly a bit of controversy. It wasn't the singing artists, it was to do with songs we were discussing, and the Rose tinted glasses that people wore when listening to or composing lyrics for songs like 'Lovely Stornoway', or some of the many similar town or place songs. Bob Halfin's song is a classic of its type, but probably bears little relevance to the reality of a place like Stornoway - though it was written in the late 1950's.   My late father was also guilty as charged of writing sentimental songs taking place names, or a theme, where everything was 'lovely' or 'bonnie'. Often written to order.. and not necessarily very true of a place. They still touch people, and sometimes have great tunes - but the home market for them is now limited, compared to the peak of Calum Kennedy's popularity.