Scottish Mudgather October 19th/ 20th/21st 2007

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 09:06 AM

Well it's a problem, and the main guiding factor is the slowing down of the Festival scene in England, where most attendees would be coming from. There seems to be festival or six almost every weekend of the year from Easter right through. There is a bank holiday weekend in September in Scotland and Banbury is early October, then I go to America in early November. we will get less midgies, and better accommodation rates then too.
I have to sit down and talk to the guy who owns the hotel, as that's our guiding factor.
Watch this space

Giok

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 10:17 AM

Believe it or no, the words to "The Midgies" (and perhaps the music too, such as it is) are by none other than Kenneth McKellar. He could sing Burns, but never rival him.....

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 11:35 AM

Right folks I have spoken to Graham the hotel owner and he is very enthusiastic. He's a folkie himself, and a regular Sidmouth attendee.
He has said rooms in the hotel would be £25 per night B&B, he also has 3 self catering units, with more becoming available as he gets them renovated, they would be cheaper than the hotel rate, but no figure available at the moment. there is also as I said Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel across the river, and there are a few B&Bs not too far away.
Wild camping is available, both for tents and caravans, or even motor homes!
Banbury is the weekend of the 13th October, so the weekends of either the 20th, or 27th October have been provisionally reserved.
I now need to know who is interested, and which weekend they prefer. I will go with the majority choice, so I apologise in advance if we choose the one you don't want. Can't please all of the people all of the time!
So over to you guys!
Giok

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 11:59 AM

27th sounds good to me...

LTS

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Effsee
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 02:42 PM

Either/or for me Giok. Book me 3 nights B&B in the Hotel when you decide!!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: skarpi
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 02:43 PM

well why am I always last to know about this ?????????????

kv Skarpi

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: My guru always said
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 02:45 PM

Only able to do the weekend of the 20th, but then we're only a possibility, though I'd like to try. May be a car-sharing possibility here too!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:27 PM

Either for us too. My mother has been informed we'll be descending on them!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 03:31 PM

Either for us - don't know when half term is or if I'll have a job to have half term from so whatever :0)

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Pistachio
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:13 PM

You should get the 'extra' hour on the 27th - I remember it because I got married that weekend many moons ago now! Unfortunately I'm unlikely to get to join you as my husband doesn't 'do' folk!
Enjoy Gods country. H.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 04:38 PM

Is he any good at childcare? It looks like there could be several under 16s there!

LTS

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 06:23 PM

The tune for "The Midgies" seems to me to be an adaptation of "Abdul the Bul-Bul Emir".

It'd be a great pity if Susanne and other German mudcatters couldn't make it.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Col K
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 06:47 PM

Either 20 or 27 weekend would be fine by me.
Lets hope its all go for a great weekend.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Scotus
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 10:23 PM

I'll be in Scotland in September, so that would have my vote.

Jack

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 11:22 PM

Bet ya never thought ya'd need a Romper room, eh, Giok!**BG**

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 12:22 AM

20/10 clashes with the Gainsborough (Lincolnshire) Festival wot I will be helping to organise.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 05:20 AM

Well the adults will be in the Rumpus Room, aka the bar!
G.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: GUEST,Lurking 'Catter in Scotland
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 06:40 AM

20 and 27 both good for me too.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: GUEST,Crystal-cookieless
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 07:55 AM

either/or for me!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 11:36 AM

I have 28 interested parties and 7 votes for each date? Half term appears to be the week in between the two dates.
I'm quite happy for the children to come, but I will need to know who, how, when and why, they will be organised/watched over.
I don't think they'd be allowed in the bar area, but there is the rest of the hotel, albeit a small hotel.
Found this...
"In Scotland, young people of 14 years of age or older can be in a bar during the permitted opening hours provided that they do not drink alcohol. Where the licensed premises hold a children's certificate, then a child under 14 may be allowed in for the purpose of eating a meal. However, children must be accompanied by someone over 18 years old and may only be present between the hours of 11.00 and 20.00."
It is also worth remembering for the smokers amongst you, that smoking is not allowed in Scottish pubs, although it will be the same for England by then too!

Carole and Andrew, I don't know how much it will cost you to get to Luton or Gatwick, but EasyJet has some really cheap flights to Inverness if booked early enough, like about £12 each way.

List of those interested but not confirmed

Maeve
Manitas
Liz the Squeak + Limpit
Mr Happy
Willie-O
Effsee
Emma B
Megan & David
Eric the Viking
Crystal
Geoff the Duck
Mrs Duck + kids
Murray MacLeod
Cat's Fiddle + baby
Gizmo + kids
Jack Campin
Ian Burden
Lurking Catter
Essex Girl
Teribus
Phillipa
Col K
Doug Chadwick
MGAS
Drumshanty + 1
Bagpuss.

That looks like 5 kids and one baby to be looked after and entertained etc.

Giok

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 02:46 PM

My mum is going to look after the baby while we are at the gathering so we don't need to worry about that. We will be staying with my parents too and commuting in the car each day.

Looking forward to it!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 03:33 PM

Khatt have you any idea how long a drive that is?
G.

80.9 miles each way

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 06:25 AM

Freshen up

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 06:25 AM

Please coont me in tae, at least an interest! been oot the country so missed a' this: thanks tae a freen' wha pointed me tae it!
Either of middle weekends of Oct look good i.e. 13th or 20th.
TMSA calendar show Selkirk Sessions for 1st weeekend October (is this happening again or are we back to Both Sides the Tweed after Hector's break?), and Dunfermline Folk Weekend on the 27th weekend.
TB

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 06:32 AM

Looks like we're going to clash with a folk festival/event on either weekend so I'd suggest going on numbers with the majority being selected. Sorry.

LTS

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Drumshanty
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 06:34 AM

I'll vote for the 20th because of the Dunfie weekend as well.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Merek'n'Dary
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 07:04 AM

Thanks for reminding us when our festival is Giok!
Your planning for the gather is around the time of Dougie MacLean's Perthshire Amber festival which Dary and I went to for the first time last year in our efforts to recover. It was absolutely fab and we have already decided to go again this year. Dates for this year are not yet on his website but to get some idea of what it is about go into www.perthshireamber.com Fitting in a mudgather (provided it is not too far away) at the time would be absolutely great. We will watch the postings with interest. By the way, most of the headliners for Banbury are now booked and up on the website www.banburyfolkfestival.co.uk

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 07:05 AM

Right, rather than drag it out and twist people's arms for more votes, we will go with the 20th weekend as it is in the lead now, and it suits me better as I will be going to the Getaway immediately after the next weekend.
I now need to know who is coming for that weekend.
Sorry for those who will be inconvenienced, but I was never going to please everybody.
Giok

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 08:10 AM

I might go if i'm not doing nowt.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Effsee
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 08:56 AM

I'm in for Fri/St/Sun!!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 10:40 AM

Count us in but remind us later of the date!

LTS

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: GUEST,Crystal, sans cookie
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 05:08 PM

Count me in!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 06:19 PM

Selkirk Sessions is the previous weekend:

http://www.selkirksessions.com/main.htm

which will be helpful for some, but not for me, as it's hard for me to get two weekends off consecutively.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 06:23 PM

ps: that's me in the Selkirk Sessions photo page, playing the ocarina in a very colourful shirt.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: My guru always said
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 05:39 AM

Here's a link to Selkirk Sessions for you Jack, looks good, but clashes with Banbury fest for us Down South. Good idea though if people might fancy a good tour!!

Still having a think Giok. Might mean a tour for us via North Wales, Lake District & music around Oban area. Would be lots to organise, but sounds like a real go-er!!!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 12:05 PM

Count us three in, might stay at the hostel though, not sure if we want to drive 80 miles from me mums but she's already offered to have the baby!

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 03:50 PM

It's just so darned expensive to get from Denver to Scotland. :(

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 09:14 AM

Hotel website and details so that you can make your own bookings.
This is only about 1 mile from the hotel.
7 Miles away
9 Miles away
8 Miles away
8 Miles
In my village again about 8 miles away.
You will need to talk to the hostel yourselves, and do remember that it was rare to get a late pass at most of the hostels I used to go to, but things may have changed since then.
Beware too that Sutherland is an enormous county, so even if it says Sutherland it could be 90 miles away, so check your maps if booking self catering.
Giok

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: skarpi
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 01:40 PM

Okei , thats it Me and my wife ( Gunna ) are going to there
just have to fina a room . do that very soon .

More later.


All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather Octoberish 2007?
From: Gizmo
Date: 18 Feb 07 - 07:20 PM

Count me in, dunno about kids yet, depends on whether I have moved or not.

If I have moved, kid and dog sitting might be more of a problem.

Anyway, I'll ask my parents soon. Sounds like a brilliant weekend, and I've never been to Scotland, so hoping alls well I'll be there.

GTS

I'll get my tummy toned up for more laughs.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: GUEST,Rob the Roadie
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 10:31 AM

Sounds like fun but it is a bit of a hike. Still we might be able to make it.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: Teribus
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:42 AM

Thanks for the information 'Goik'.

Week-end of the 20th October it is then.

What's the format?

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: Essex Girl
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 08:55 AM

Carbisdale Castle looks great. They have 189 beds and it's £15.00 a night for YHA members and £16.00 otherwise. Can't get any prices from easyjet aet (too early), but I'm up for the hostel. They also do breakfast and dinner.

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: Maryrrf
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 09:03 AM

Oh this is terrible! I can't make it and I'm so jealous of the folks who are going....

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 09:45 AM

Usually the format is a 'jump in' session, and/or a round the room rota. Might do what we did at Portaferry last week, and run Saturday night like a Folk Club, with people doing 'spots'.
I have vague dreams of getting a ceilidh band sorted out, and I may have a caller, but don't know about the space or inclination for dancing. Don't do it myself, they told me when I got my hips sorted out I'd be able to Morris dance, but thank god it hasn't happened yet!
Giok

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 09:10 AM

Freshen up

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 05:34 AM

And again

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 05:38 AM

Can someone prod Manitas and get his opinion? I did ask him and he seemed to think it would be Ok, but as he's the bursar, I don't know what to book.

LTS

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 06:00 AM

You need something to do Liz.
G

Subject: RE: Scottish Mudgather October 20th 2007
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 08:51 AM

I did have something to do... but I couldn't find the spare duvet.

LTS