Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk

Subject: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: GUEST,VGOODFELLOW
Date: 17 Mar 02 - 01:10 AM

I'll be traveling this summer and hoping to do some hiking in the lake district and visiting Edinburgh. Does anyone know of any pubs or folk clubs in these cities with good acoustic music. I visited the Tron club in Edinburgh several years ago and I am wondering if it is still in business and if there are other good places to hear traditional music on any given night.

Thanks,

VG

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: weepiper
Date: 17 Mar 02 - 11:46 AM

Regarding Edinburgh I am sad to report the demise of the Tron; it's still a pub but was bought over by a brewery, the central bar ripped out and turned into a student theme pub complete with widescreen tv and jelly shooters. Just what we needed in Edinburgh... :-(

However it's not all bad news. There are plenty of other places. Try these;

Sandy Bell's, Forrest Road. The original, sessions every night of the week.
The Royal Oak, Infirmary Street. More of a late nighter - it's open til 2 a.m. Music of some variety every night though it varies wildly between 1 bloke and his guitar and 10-strong sessions (it's very small and tends to get crowded after midnight)
The Antiquary, St Steven's Street. Session on a Thursday night, nice mix of instrumental and singing.
The Central Bar, Leith Walk. Session on a Sunday afternoon/evening. The best session I've had in Edinburgh in ages, purely instrumental, tends to be 5-10 players at a go.
The Ensign Ewart, Lawnmarket/Royal Mile. Saturday night session, all welcome though it's occasionally plugged in because it can get quite rowdy.

That should get you started anyway.
Cheers

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: GUEST,VGOODFELLOW
Date: 17 Mar 02 - 05:02 PM

Weepiper:

Thank you very much.

VG

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Mar 02 - 06:23 PM

Folk activities in the Lake Disrict can be a bit sporadic.Email me nearer the time on boatbandatcwctv.net and i'll be delighted to help.(I wrote my address like that because i'm told you get less junk mail that way). By the way,if you think Keswich and Cockermouth are cities you're in for a shock. there's a distinct shortage of cathedrals, airports, skyscrapers, shopping malls etc in those parts!

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: GUEST,VGOODFELLOW
Date: 17 Mar 02 - 07:18 PM

>G. Stevens wrote.... > >here's a distinct shortage of cathedrals, airports, skyscrapers, shopping malls etc in those parts!

That's great my wife was there two years ago and enjoyed it but did not have much time for hiking and exploring. I met a person here seakayaking in san diego who believes there is a good pub near Cockermouth for hearing traditional music... unfortunately he had not been there for a few years.

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: janey
Date: 18 Mar 02 - 01:34 PM

There is a pub in Keswick town square (can't remember its name but it right opposite the Tourist Information; they often have music on at weekends. We have been in a few times on Saturday evenings and caught an excellant duo; can't remember their names but they are worth looking out for (sorry not much help!). The Olde Dungeon Ghyll Pub is at the head of the Langdale Valley (nearer to Ambleside than Keswick); musicians sometimes get together in the lively bar. Likewise the Sticklebarn Tavern half a mile up the valley has music at weekends. The nearby National Trust campsite means these pubs are normally packed in high season; recommended! Cockermouth has a small theatre and we did see an irish band there once although I don't think it's a particularly regular folk venue.

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: GUEST,VGOODFELLOW
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 01:32 AM

Thanks for the leads Janey! Are you familiar with the area, do you know the best place to rent a car if coming by train? I believe I'll be staying in "Lorten" sp? I don't know if I dare driving on the left side in cities so I want to rent the car in as small a town as possible. It does not look possible to get around for hiking by bus but maybe I am wrong.

VG

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: Jock Morris
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 06:06 AM

Cockermouth might just have a car hire place, but it is quite a small town. Lorten (not sure of the spelling either) is a lovely wee village; great pub in Lower Lorten with excellent food and real ale. I've stayed there a couple of times; once for a Morris weekend and once for a hillwalking holiday.

Scott

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 07:00 AM

LortOn is the spelling. If you want to do train and car hire, Carlisle is your best bet, its on the main north south train routes, connctions toLondon Edinburgh Glasgow etc.But it is a bit cityish if you are nervous of your first bit ofdriving on the left. More fun would be to get the train from Carlisle on to Whitehaven or Workington,and pick up your car there, and you'dbe closer to Cockermouth/Lorton. great views,both of lake District fells and Scotland across the Solway from that train. I am sure a bit of poking around on the internet will find you carhire in Whitehaven, a nicer lookng town than Workington. Whitehaven should be of interest to Americans(if such you be) it was attacked by John Paul Jones in the War of Independence. He knew the Solway coast well because he came from those parts. To get to any lakes and fells from Lorton you'll be driving over Whinlatter or Honister Pass..remember to give priority to cars going up.(They aren'ttoo bad, actually, but some passes in the Lake District are not for the fainthearted, eg Wrynose,Hardknott and Blea Tarn. Approach with caution).Good luck, you'll have a wonderful time. And do email nearer the time for up to date info. What do you play? Maybe we should have a session. PS If you want a CD of traditional Lake District music your best bet is "A Trip to the Lakes" by the Boat Band. it's totally brilliant, and I know that for a fact because I played on it.

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: John J
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 08:26 AM

Janey, I know the pub you mean. There's a folk club in that pub, Wednesday night I think.

John

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: John J
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 08:27 AM

Is the pub "The Queen's"?

JJ

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: janey
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 02:31 PM

just found it in my diary; I think the pub is called The Oddfellows and the duo are Pam and John. The Queens is the hotel on the other side of the market but I'm not sure if the Folk Club still meets; can anyone advise? Sorry, can't advise re car hire. If you're coming in the summer why not combine your hiking etc with a northern or scottish festival? How about Newcastleton?

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: GUEST,VGOODFELLOW
Date: 19 Mar 02 - 10:12 PM

Hey Thanks for all the great leads and advice everyone. I play guitar, banjo, and mandolin but I'll be leaving them home ... too much to pack and we will be bringing two sons ..16 and 11 so I will have to choose my music sparingly, not sure what to do with them while visiting a pub. What's a northern festival?

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: janey
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 02:26 PM

vgoodfellow, where are you coming from? if you let us know your approx dates we can see if there is anything worth visiting that might coincide with your trip, or are you pretty fixed in your itinery? i suggested a northern festival (folk music festival in the north of england) since you will be in the north of england. That is, unless you have misread Lorton and are actually spending your hols in Luton! (in which case, nevermind). There are loads of festivals in the summer and most are in really nice places; even if you don't fancy the actual organised festival you would probably appreciate the general ambience and buzz of a festival weekend as a base (Whitby would be great for you with the family although it is on the other side of England, couple of hours away from the lakes). As far as having the sons with you, you probably won't have any problems taking them in most pubs, especially in the summer when the beer gardens seem to breed kids. If you visit the main areas in the Lake District then I'm sure they will be ok and find their own friends. In fact you will probably never see the sixteen year old again! keep us posted!

Subject: RE: Keswick, Cockermouth, Edinburgh Folk
From: GUEST,VGOODFELLOW
Date: 20 Mar 02 - 11:09 PM

I'm coming from California and will be visiting London, the lake area and Edinburgh in late June. I'll probably not be able to pull off a festival since not all of my family shares my interest in Traditional Music! I will be spending some time in Lorton, and Whitehaven looks like it might be a good spot to take the train to and visit the coast too (any sea kayakers in Whitehaven?0. Thanks for all the useful advice. We've been looking forward to this trip for a long time.