Lyr Req: Last Vango in Harris

Subject: Lyr Req: Last Vango in Harris
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 01 Apr 18 - 05:30 PM

very long shot - -!!
This was a song local to the Tarbert area of Harris (Hebrides) in the late '60s to mid-'70s - tho' it may have been sung for a while after?
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle's new owner (1968-1976) Sir Hereward the Ladwake did not like the fact that the public road went right past the front door of his castle and proposed a bypass in order to maintain his privacy. In the event the bypass did not happen - think the Free Church of Scotland argued against permission being granted as the road was only access to a village farther on - but the song 'Last Vango in Harris' appeared (Vango is a well known make of backpacker's tent) and the only part I've heard is the first couple of lines:

'Pardon me boy, is this the Amhuinnsuidhe bypass?
Is Sir Hereward in, I've heard a lot about him...'

(tune is Chatanooga Choo Choo!)

I am hoping that there may be remnants of the song floating around in a few memories, that we can fit together a jigsaw of phrases and reconstruct the lyrics?
Fingers tightly crossed - -!!!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Vango in Harris
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 08:00 AM

Sounds like something Bill Hill might have written, but don't actually know!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Vango in Harris
From: Gutcher
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 08:32 AM

Try asking Willie or Maggie McRae---do not know if they read this.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Vango in Harris
From: Gutcher
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 09:54 AM

Will dig out John McLeods phone no.--he is often at home in Harris and is of an age to remember this one.
If not he, some of his friends there may have it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Last Vango in Harris
From: Gallus Moll
Date: 02 Apr 18 - 03:56 PM

Thanks Tattie B and Gutcher.
I think it was composed by a guy who was working in the area at the time -- but can't say for sure!
I imagine that it had a very specific, local appeal and limited timespan (like the Ballad of the Torrey Canyon?!) so I think the best hope would be to find people who were in the area at that time, and likely to be involved in protests / campaigns against the bypass proposal. So -- locals, workers, visitors in late '60s /early to mid '70s - Ive not pinned down the exact date of the proposal, shall get back to you on that! It got knocked back anyway and the road continues to run right past he castle / hotel windows! The estate is now community owned and that castle/hotel owner in very involved in community events. (there was a BBC Alba feature a couple of evenings ago about this part of harris)
Gutcher, if you could contact John MacLeod and get the word out there amongst people who are now in their 60s, 70s, 80s -- - that would be brilliant!
also if anyone knows of local websites/facebook pages etc I could contact -- I'll check local radio and newspaper possibilities too. ~Might have to have an expedition to Tarbert in a few months time, see what I can glean?
Just had another thought - Na h Oganaich started around then, and tho they were Glasgow based I think Noel Eadie had a studio in Stornoway? Or did I make that up? He might have been aware of The Song...? I'll try to contact him -- -