Hamish donates Dervaig gig profits to Mull Music Makers

More than 100 tickets were sold for a Hamish Napier gig at Dervaig Hall, with a homegrown support act.

The sell-out night made a £300 profi t which Hamish donated to the Mull Music Makers’ (MMM) project.

Supported by 10 young musicians from the island-based project, multi-instrumentalist and composer Hamish’s fi nal

night of The “Woods tour was a huge hit.

The gig coincided with news that MMM has secured the fi nal funds needed to run another free Mull Fiddle Week of tuition and performances this summer.

‘The Dervaig night on April 2 was a resounding success.

‘Everyone rallied round to decorate the village hall. More than 100 tickets were sold - so it was a sell out gig.

‘Lovely atmosphere and a great community effort,’ said Laura Mandleberg from MMM.

Hamish was joined on stage by top traditional fi ddle player Patsy Reid.

He said: ‘What a special night we all had in Dervaig. This is clearly a strong community that communicates well and loves to work together. ‘You could just tell that from speaking with all the people involved and all the preparation work they put in for the event.

‘The place just looked amazing - a real team effort. ‘We had to try to fi nd extra chairs on the night for all

the people who showed up. It was one of those totally magic community evenings with a highland ceilidh atmosphere and many smiling faces. ‘Patsy Reid is such an energetic teacher and worked for two hours in the afternoon with the youth music group, the Mull Music Makers, who were focused and engaged and played so well on the night. What a special ‘It was particularly kind night we all had of local fi ddle player in Dervaig on Hannah Fisher to drive from Saturday. This is Fionnphort especially to come and help Patsy work clearly a strong with the children. community ‘One of the more experienced of the young musicians, Mimi, asked me if I would accompany her playing a fi ddle solo and she played brilliantly. Her volunteering to play a solo just proves how crucial it is for young musicians

to get proper performance experience like this to help them gain confi dence, develop their musical skills and to inspire them.

‘You could tell the audience was proud to see the young musicians play so well.’

Now Hamish is wondering about running a series of three village hall events in collaboration with MMM across the island next year - possibly Fionnphort in the south of Mull with another hall in between.

Patsy Reid will be returning to Mull sooner to lead the Festival Week in Tobermory this August. Generous raffl e prizes donated by businesses and artists from the area helped pay for hall costs at the Dervaig gig.

Thanks go to Tobermory whisky, to Turus Mara for Staffa boat trip vouchers, Catriona’s hair and beauty salon, the Bellachroy Hotel and the Foodie Shack - a new pop-up pizza business.

Laura added: ‘So many comments from people saying how fantastic it was to hear our Mull Music Makers play after two years of Covid restrictions.

‘They played two energetic arrangements that Patsy put together specially for last year’s fi rst Mull Fiddle Week.

‘MMM has just secured the fi nal funds needed to run Mull Fiddle Week again this August in Tobermory.

‘The Hamish/Patsy gig was stunning - the closing night of the Woods tour as well - which is safe to say, I think, ended on a high,’ said Laura.