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5th October

Northern Lights John Lennon Festival



John Lennon’s first group the Quarrymen make a change of venue for the first John Lennon Northern Lights Festival from Cavern to Cave.


Last weekend Durness was host to a remarkable event. The three main days of the first northern lights festival provided performances of the highest quality. Throughout the village several shows took place providing a range of artistic presentations in a variety of fields. Poetry, painting and photographic exhibitions, book reading, children’s entertainment, street entertainment including magician, stilt walkers, clowns, plays were performed, light projections on the beach, music of all descriptions and people wandering around enjoying the sights and activity on offer from venues as diverse as Smoo Cave, Durness primary School, Sango Sands Oasis and Loch Criospol Bookshop to name a few. Amongst the famous and acknowledged experts in their field were local specialist Jim Johnston who gave an open air talk on the stars above Durness accompanied by projections displayed on the historic Balnakeil House, Graham Bruce told stories of village ghosts and myths. Many groups were playing a diverse selection of music in the Sango Sands Oasis amongst them a popular young group from Stornaway “Face the West”. On Saturday afternoon this band gave an open air show and for two hours they had the area of Sangomore rocking and reeling.

The main ticket events were all held in the village hall and this venue was packed to capacity for some of the highest quality acts. On Friday night the Festival was started in the music sphere by Ceilidh performer Fergie MacDonald and Fergie and his band played a selection of well recognised tunes that got the festival off in a true highland tradition. Fergie closed his selection with a tune he had specifically written for the occasion and titled “Durness”
The excellent performance of the duo Nizlopi followed. They can best be described as of comprising of Luke Concannon and John Parke. Luke handles the heartfelt lyrics, the endlessly soulful vocals, and his beloved guitar, while JP sets jaws-dropping with his masterful double-bass playing, his breathtaking human beat-boxing, and a little extra guitar playing. Together these two young men have created a genre defying sound all of their own with a huge following around the UK and spreading across the world. The performance poet John Cooper Clarke was on stage for an hour and gave a selection of performance poetry in his own unique manor. For those present this was a once in a lifetime experience captivating the audience in his stand-up-oriented affair with his wit and humour. King Creosote closed the first night with their own distinctive and sublime Scottish songs.
The ticketed events on Saturday were started with an interview by Steve Turner, one of the top Beatles experts, of Julia Baird John Lennon’s sister and David Birch John’s cousin. Taking the place of the advertised Eclipse Strings was a Canadian singer Alison Crowe. This singer songwriter had the audience in wonder and admiration. Along with her own excellent compositions she performed songs by Joni Mitchell and the Beatles. Words cannot describe the atmosphere and appreciation she created in the hall as the audience was transported to places unknown. Not only a wonderful singer this lady moved among the crowd enjoying all the other acts and with her sparkling personality did not fail to impress all those she contacted with. The finally on Saturday was a Beatle Prom from Sir Peter Maxwell Davis Master of the Queen's Music, who presented a world premiere of a Beatles Prom with the Royal Academy of Music. Sir Peter also made a rare public performance of his playing.
The final night at the village hall was a spectacular as the preceding times. Julie Fowlis opened the evening with her band providing some quality Gaelic signing. Julie gave a polished performance to a packed hall. The energetic Blazing Fiddles followed with a selection of tunes that had the hall moving with vibrant energy. The final act was one of legendary outstanding ability. Donnie Munro captivated the audience with his personal touch and informal repertoire. He performed new and old, well recognised songs and had the audience singing along. The last song in the encore was “Nowhere Man” a Lennon and McCartney composition appropriate to close the first Durness Northern Lights John Lennon Festival.
Not all the artists were performing at the main ticketed events in the village hall and although all were admired John Lennon’s first group the Quarrymen were in popular demand. They performed at two locations during the weekend but their appearance in Smoo Cave was one of a transformation as they described it from “Cavern to Cave” and this they agreed would have been an agreeable shift for John.
This is just a summary of what happened in Durness last weekend and for those that were there it will be a memorable time. For what must have been the worst summer for many many years there was always concern of the event not reaching its perceived potential. Something or someone beyond all the controllable factors must have wished this to succeed for since Friday Durness has had more consecutive days of sunny weather than can be remembered! Those visiting for the first time were astounded by the scenery and beauty (also reminding local peole of the splendour in which they live) and this without doubt contributed to the wonderful experience that was created during the Festival weekend. To make such an event happen - further more a resounding success requires a dedicated team of people. Firstly the extended Lennon Family who has connections with Durness since before there was any famous Beatle in their family gave a blessing and support to the occasion. North Highland Tourism Forum, (www.northhighlandsscotland.com) after consulting with the Durness Community commissioned a festival director Mike Merritt based in Lewis and assisted with Carol Miller suconnded for two days a week from Dounray, and they must be congratulated for the professional and well organised event. Supported by an army of local volunteers this event has been nothing short of incredible.

Sheepdog Trials

The annual Durness sheepdog trials were held at Keoldale farm overlooking the Kyle of Durness last Saturday. This popular event with sheepdog handlers attracts high levels of competition and organiser and farm manager at Keoldale Jock Sutherland has himself qualified for the Scottish National Team this year. As the first John Lennon Northern Lights Festival fell during this event John’s cousin Stan Parkes who spent childhood holidays in Durness, inherited the croft he visited and lived in Durness for 10 years before having to move closer to medical services presented a trophy to the proceedings. This was for the best young dog and was won Hamish MacLean and his dog Tym. Stan presented the trophy at the prize giving. A special prize for highest in the open at their first trials was awarded to Neil Mackenzie.

Results

LOCAL
1. Jock Sutherland Nell
2. Neil Mackenzie Kate
3. Martin Mackay Flash
4. Steven Mackinnon Ben

OPEN
1. Jock Sutherland Nell 90
2. Murdo Murray Craig 89
3. Ewan Mackenzie Roy 83
4. Michael Shearer Bob 81
5. Neil Mackenzie Kate 78
6. Ewan Cormack Nan 77
7. Hamish Maclean Eilidh 77
8. Michael Shearer Cap 75
9. Kenny Brehmer Peg 75
10. Ewan Cormack Glen 74