LONELY FIDDLE NO MORE

Joining recent UK music tours, I saw a fiddle player's second violin left alone in his dressing room, that sight and resulting Haiku being the catalyst to this Blog.

Haikus are a form of Japanese poetry. Dubliners fiddle player John Sheahan writes these very well and his work has encouraged me to try some. Haiku are three line structures of five syllables, seven and five. Here, Haiku reflect the story of a fiddle waiting to be brought to life through music.

It could seem strange that the sight of an unattended fiddle could spark such creative reflection but “life can turn on a sixpence.” Things happen and as time passes by we can see events that took us off in new directions... Twenty years ago, working with the BBC, I went to interview the Dubliners. Having met up with them most years in between, in 2011, their arrival in Scotland coincided with a new chapter for myself as I very much reconnected again with the 'joys' of playing music.



Michael Howard (for Eamonn Campbell), Sean Cannon, Barney McKenna,
Me, Tom O'Brien (sound) and John Sheahan, Shona McMillan ©

Being with everyone, the supporting crew equally included by me when I mention the Dubliners, it was great to share old memories, enjoy the craic and for me especially, to be saturated again in music. Also, to feel encouraged to explore "the creative fun" in reading and writing poems - even to find the “FUN” in Shakespeare's sonets (something no school teacher ever inspired me to see). Times with friends, times enjoying creative interests, they provide insight in to what is important - that our most precious resource is time and that life needs to be fully lived and enjoyed. 

Grand Theatre Blackpool

For me, I've realised that my music needs to have a bigger place in my life than it’s had in recent years – that fact dawning on me some place along the “Rocky Road to Blackpool” travelling across country from the Dubliners gig in Newcastle, to Blackpool. A journey which gave me time to think. So later that evening, when I stood in the wings of a beautiful theatre in Blackpool (listening to the music and with my camera in hand) I felt very privilleged and pleased to be there at their concert.

Years back, almost in another life, I worked at the Vatican Museums and this theatre in Blackpool reminded me of the Sistine Chapel. I enjoyed working in Italy but, after many months working over there, when I came back I had lost all my music ‘residencies” and that space in my private life then got filled by doing a MBA in the evenings and ever increasing demands from my career. Playing music pretty much drifted out of my life  but in Blackpool, I knew there was a whole load of tunes that I wanted to learn. Complex tunes written by John (which I had needed to develop my musical abilities first before I could play them) plus heaps of trad tunes Barney McKenna had encouraged me with over the years. Then of course, all the other wealth of music that is out there and is always being contributed to.

Myself and Barney McKenna, , Shona McMillan ©

On a cold, rainy evening, Blackpool was an inspirational place. "The buzz" from so many people gathered together to celebrate music, sing songs and enjoy the craic. In contrast, the last time I was in the Sistine Chapel I was doing a Security Check, photographing Fire Exits, I had had to fight my way through crowds of tourists (in the Millennium Year 20,000 visitors a day could pass through the Vatican Museums). Squashed indoors, in the oppressive dry heat of a late Italian Summer's day, I had no wonderment for Michael Angelo's paintings above my head. In contrast, I fully appreciated this theatre in Blackpool, it was gorgeous to stand and look out at such a lovely place! The atmosphere seemed full of ghosts from performances past and even graffiti caused me to smile. Back stage some luvie had written "It is better to give than to receive" Oscar Wilde. Below, another had written "Even a handbag?" Yes, I was enjoying the gig but catching sight of water bottles on stage, it was very warm so I set off on a wander to find a cool drink of water for myself.



Barney McKenna, John Sheahan, Sean Cannon, Patsy Watchorn, Eamonn Campbell,
The Dubliners in Blackpool, Shona McMillan ©



Upstairs from the stage area, the place was very calm and still but Irish music seemed to fill the air. Melodic sounds from the gig and also from along the corridor where Dubliners' friend Padraig was playing a tune on his banjo. Pausing for a moment to listen to the tunes, it felt as if the whole of the theatre was full of music and creativity. 

Earlier on I'd been attempting 'sonet writing' and the beginnings of my first attempt was propted up on John's open fiddle case. I stopped to re-read my words but, as I lifted the sheet of paper, below in the case was his second fiddle. Weeks back, when the Dubliners had played in Glasgow, I had taken a photo then of this lovely looking fiddle left alone in the dressing room.

Now, so near to performing in this very beautiful place, instead the fiddle was destined to pass through the theatre without even a note being played - awaiting opportunity.

I have never knowingly heard this second fiddle. Maybe in years gone by but since Glasgow I knew it had been up North, to Ireland, to Newcastle and now again in Blackpool, its ability to entertain was sadly lost to the crowd. Like a skilled person out of work, no one would know of its capabilities...

Heck, I was only coming to get a bottle of water but... I felt a pang of sorrow for the fiddle so I tried at least to pull straight the lose string I could see. But no, the fiddle needed to be lifted out properly and tuned. Slack strings can so easily snap when tightened - I didn't want to risk it. It looked lonely and in need of a friend, love and attention. I thought of my own fiddles, in need of new strings and a good clean to bring out the shine of their varnish. And, I wondered why so much time had passed by without me attending to them as I used to. Forgotten fiddles, potential unknown.

 

John Sheahan - "The Poet"
Shona McMillan ©

In the UK, John had been using his other fiddle and “when not working” his free time seemed full of his hobbies like poetry and wood carving. Myself, recently my creative focus had very much been on photography and writing, passionate to learn new skills. Only recently was I becoming aware of a growing need to return again to playing music.


My poor fiddle, I loved my violin like any other old friend but in our many years together it had become more than a bit ‘battered’ through some of the times and adventures we had shared. For example, the really awful time as a child when it had seemed like it might be a good idea to try and clean off the sticky rosin on the front of my fiddle with nail varnish remover... indeed it cleaned off the rosin and so much more - eg: the top layer of varnish! (oh the tears I shed!!!) Then, some years on, another terrible accident happened when someone visiting my house decided to have a wee shot of my violin without asking and then, distracted by the doorbell being rung, they laid the fiddle on the floor where it was then walked over.

The terrible break to the fiddle's neck saw it confined to its case for many years until I finally found someone with sufficient skills to repair it. The years that passed by before then, I still wanted to play the violin but without the fiddle I loved, I didn't want to play another violin but wanted to wait instead for the first one to be repaired, so that we could both resume our musical journey together. Happy tunes, sad tunes, the knowledge and skill that comes to our musical interpretations as we mature. Instruments reflect those that play them and of course, there are also the times in life when music just fades away and silence descends. Like a Radio Station - to play music you need to be tuned in to the right frequency. 

I never learnt to play the fiddle at school, nor in a structured way by reading music and understanding the theory - I just loved the sound the instrument made and FINALLY mum gave in and bought me a fiddle which I learnt to play by ear. Listening to tapes of tunes and then, more often than not, 'performing' them to my mum as she would be in the kitchen, making some meal or doing the washing - busy but ALWAYS with time to be enthusiastic and encouraging of whatever tune I was bursting to share with her!' Yes, I hadn't really 'felt' much like playing since mum passed away and my parents were gone from my life but, seeing that lonely fiddle, I so wanted to put it back together again and hear it played from the heart. "On behalf of Forgotten Fiddles" ;-) at the end of the gig, I spoke to John to point out the lose string. I smiled to hear that he'd already noticed and written a poem. So, I hope he will forgive me for sharing it here and in reply, I follow his Haiku with my own attempt.

John Sheahan an' me, Shona McMillan ©

Lonely Fiddle, John Sheahan ©

Unmarked ebony

Mute Strings yearn for roisned bow

A lonely fiddle

Lonely Fiddle No More, Shona McMillan ©

Fiddle case open

Bow rosined and strings in tune

Heart set free to sing

To finish, I post another of my favourite poems but one I first discovered many, many years ago. The verse I had on a poster, in my teenage years, placed in my wardrobe, on the door inside. Opened every day, in this position of prominence, it caught my eye on a daily basis. Read many hundreds of times over I've never grown tired of it. At one point in Blackpool, I recalled it again. Hearing John play one of my favourite tunes I went to investigate, following the sound of his music "as surely as if my name had just been called out loud!" Walking in to the dressing room I was amused to see John had opened my case and was playing MY fiddle (a great treat for my fiddle and lovely to hear my violin being played so well)...

John Sheahan, Shona McMillan ©

John has an amazing style, quite like nothing I have ever heard before. Classically trained he finally moved away from ‘the establishment’ who had too often corrected him for adding his own interpretations to the music (composing as they called it). In Trad it is quite accepted that people will interpret and play tunes differently, that is part of the joy and love for the music but certainly, John’s classical training has enabled him to brilliantly play incredibly complex tunes (Jazz, Ragtime, Traditional, whatever). Yet, his own tunes are often quieter, very beautiful, almost classical at times – his waltzes being some of my most favourite tunes of all time. Yet, not all of them are widely known because (in the great scheme of things) John's priorities have not been to record or publish them all (tho’ I have tried my best to capture them at every opportunity!). Will they ever even be written down and compiled into a book? Who knows but, since I can't really share unpublished work here, instead I will just have to sneak in a Trad tune that I recorded in Blackpool.

I learnt "The Dawn" from John and Barney in our first session in 1991 and it was great to hear it again in 2011. Maybe next time, I may hear it performed on that lonely fiddle, dusted off, free again to sing and entertain. Whatever, on my return to Edinburgh, my violins have been getting lots of love and attention and it’s been great to be playing again! Poetry, music and all such creative things - they nourish the heart and soul. Indeed, I wonder how much more happiness and enjoyment there would if we all took more time to encourage and develop the creative voices within us all. My mum used to say she believed EVERY person had a special talent, something they could really shine at 'if only' time and effort was spent to educate and encourage them to fulfill their potential.

The Dubliners in 2002: Hear Part 1 and

Part 2 of an interview with Brian Morton

The broadcast recorded by Ronnie Drew and John Sheahan

The programme made in celebration of the band's 40th anniversary

I am fortunate and indebted to the people who have helped me with my hobbies. Accordingly, I hope I always do what I can to pass on whatever skills I have to others who may be interested and to remember that in life, it is not some end destination that we should set our sights on but the importance of enjoying our journey. Playing music for me is not to try and be some incredible fiddle player, nor is my photography to try and make me some greatly respected photographer - that's not the point. Creative pursuits are about doing these things to have FUN and to better enjoy the fullness of the journey through life. Accordingly, I so appreciate all those who have given me their time so that I can learn and develop my creative passions. In my music, photography, writing and painting – I say a BIG thank you to all the friends who help me! And leave you with my favourite poem which says so much on so many levels.

The Touch of the Master's Hand, by Myra Brooks Welch

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,

"Who will start bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar" - then "Two!" "Only two?

Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars, twice;

Going for three - " But no,

From the room, far back, a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet

As sweet as a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said, "What am I bidden for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand! And who'll make it three?

Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;

And going, and gone!" said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

"We do not quite understand

What changed it's worth?" Swift came the reply;

"The touch of the Master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with life,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage, a glass of wine;

A game - and he travels on.

He's "going" once and "going" twice,

He's "going" and almost gone."

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought

By the touch of the Master's hand.

John Sheahan, Shona McMillan ©

To hear beautiful music, a link here to South American Bells

by Michael Howard, played here by him and John

Click this link through to my Youtube Channel

to hear my favourite John Sheahan poem Signatures

And, this link to Two Fiddle Poems

again by John Sheahan and copyrighted by him

Lastly, I'd like to mention in 2011 the Dubliners were presented by Brian Hand, who I first met in 1991. Well done Brian on your great work as ever on the tours. (And, sorry Dean & Gary O'Brien escaped my 2011 pics but hey, next time).

To find out more information about the Dubliners, tour dates, merchandise etc - please visit Patsy Watchorn's site http://www.patsywatchorn.com/



MISTY SOUNDS OF SILENCE

Sounds from the sea shore

Waves marking passage of time

Music of my soul

Misty in Edinburgh today, the city seemed hushed by a low lying blanket of cloud which settled over the Firth of Forth. Hidden from view, as sunset approached night fall the day's light faded without the sun ever breaking through at all.

Foggy days, when our familiar landmarks are hidden from sight, other senses can be heightened if we take time the to explore them. For example, as a child, in unusual weather or at unusual times for a family outing, every now and then we would all set off on an "adventure" - a moonlight picnic after midnight or a "dawn patrol" at first light to watch the sun rise over the sea.  Or, the ocassional walk along the seashore in thick fog, waiting for the sun or wind to clear away the clouds but enjoying the disorientated feeling of mist swirling around us. The chilling touch of tiny water droplets on the face, the gentle taste and smell of salty sea air and muffled sounds of seabirds calling out to each other, hidden from sight in the rolling banks of fog moving in from the sea. 

My parents wanted to teach me about nature, the environment and how to get around safely in different situations. From her fishing family background my mum's forefathers had certainly earnt their living through the closest understanding and respect for nature. In small boats, with no radio or radar, a fisherman's safety depended on 'reading' the weather with the full respect the changing conditions required. Of course, out with my family, we were never in any danger but all these "adventures" nurtured in me a 24/7 appreciation of the environment. Being outdoors was more than some "sunny day trip" to the beach. This grounding seeing me embrace, as much now as then, the experience of walking alone along a deserted beach at dawn.

Today's mists reminded me of a snowy trip I made some weeks back when Scotland was in the full grip of winter. Then, in a sudden and heavy fall of snow I sheltered in my car, waiting as I watched the falling snowflakes begin to sparkle - caught in rays of silvery light as the sun broke through the clouds. No rays of sun light today but still, a chance to appreciate the sounds of nature painting pictures all around me.

Swirling shrouds of mist

A new vision of nature

Four senses to three

"SOLD AND AWAY"

SOLD AND AWAY

Did the Media come to Eyemouth harbour?

Did folks speak up to wish you well?

As you sailed into that cold grey fog
Did more than gulls cry out farewell?

Who witnessed the end of Fisherrow’s fishing

Fairnie fishermen for three hundred years

Yet but a diary marked the end of an era

- “Margarets and Nova Spero

Sold and Away”

© Shona McMillan

23 February 2011

My poem written today about the sale of the last two Fisherrow fishing boats which took place on 21.02.11. After the longest struggle, these family owned boats have finally been sold due to a combination of events including the rising cost of fuel and the restrictive legislation and quota system which is making it increasingly uneconomic to earn a living from fishing in Scotland.

Looking out to sea from Eyemouth, Shona McMillan ©

Operated from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, these boats were part of this once significant fleet which has seen drastic economic times reduce their numbers to under ten local boats - the Nova Spero and Margarets were both owned by the Fairnie family from Fisherrow, East Lothian. Myself from the Thorburn fishing family, my great-grandfather and granda' were both fishermen and former Harbour Masters of Fisherrow. As a child my granda' said that one day the boats would be gone from Fisherrow - their numbers did indeed diminish until by the late 70s there were none left. Yet, wanting to remain in fishing, fishermen like the Fairnie's continued to live at Fisherrow but operated their boats out of Eyemouth in the Borders or Fraserburgh in the North East. It is a heartfelt blow to see these boats go... And so sad that the celebrity fuelled Media have generally chosen to ignore stories about our fishing, our culture and tradition.

Rocks at entrance to Eyemouth Harbour, Shona McMillan ©

In 1881, a terrible storm hit the East Coast of Scotland and from Newhaven in Edinburgh, Fisherrow in East Lothian, Eyemouth and Burnmouth in the Scottish Borders, 189 men were drowned. The majority of those who lost their lives came from Eyemouth, jagged rocks at the Harbour mouth wrecking many of the boats trying to get in to safety. In time the tragedy became known as the Eyemouth Disaster. During the storm and for days after, people gathered at the harbour to see if more might make it home. Now in 2011, there is no storm but fishing is in decline as never before. And that the last Fisherrow boats are sold and quietly they slip away... it seemed to me such a sad ending. Yet, who would even know when the Media has REPEATEDLY chosen NOT to cover stories from the fishing because they do not deem them to be news worthy... (I do not agree).

Looking down on Eyemouth at sunset, Shona McMillan ©

FISHERROW/EYEMOUTH - THE END OF AN ERA

A last photo this evening from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, not a memorable photo for scenic quality but with 'the fleet in' - two boats are gone from the picture. After 300 years in the fishing, the last Fisherrow fishing family 'the Fairnies' have sold up and the Margarets and Nova Spero left Eyemouth harbour today.

With the recent awards won for my People and Songs of the Sea project - I had hoped that 'at last' more media coverage might come to the actual stories WITHIN my project. Frankly, there are times that I have been left quite sickened by some of the upbeat uninformed headlines written about me winning the award as THIS STORY IS NOT ABOUT ME but the PEOPLE OF THE SEA. In my frustration, I even put at the top of my last Press Release (this is a SERIOUS story PLEASE highlight the crisis in the fishing). Yet much media coverage has completely chosen to ignore the issues... Accordingly, I write this blog to mark today's events so one day, perhaps when folks reflect "where did the fishing boats go?"  For those who want to know more and maybe look for news online there will be nothing except this from me today. The BBC TV News, STV News, Scotland's national newspapers - NO ONE will bother to remark that the last family owned fishing boats from Fisherrow were sold from Eyemouth today because of the ever rising cost of fuel combined with the strangling legislation on the industry making it uneconomic to continue to try and fish, that the fishing industry is quietly slipping away one, two, three boats at a time from harbours all around Scotland's coast! It seems only specialist papers such as the Fishing News have any interest to cover this but - we, WE are losing Scotland's fishing industry and the culture of the fishing community and this seems news worthy to me! - What is being done?

Sometimes the enormity of an event is unseen in a number. Today events may only be seen as a loss to one family but what exactly does that mean. The Fairnie's have sold two boats - two crews have lost their jobs. With the sale of the boats - now gone from the industry will be the skills and expertise that has been passed on from generation to generation - and now we see the numbers increase. The Fairnies have made their living from the sea over hundreds of years as did many Fisherrow fishing families. Considering all these families - now the numbers really mount up. The fishing community of Fisherrow was not clearly visible by some geographical line because fisher people tended to marry fisher folk from other coastal communities so the numbers increase again and we see - the culture of these fisher folk was part of Scotland's culture so today, when the bigger picture is considered - today really was the end of an era. The sale of the last Fisherrow boats, a loss to East Lothian, to Eyemouth's fleet, to Scotland's fishing industry and its heritage - a loss to us all.

I was telephoned by Eyemouth Harbour Master Ivan Stevenson and told the news "get yourself to Eyemouth - the Fisherrow boats have been sold and are leaving today." It was a 120mile round trip for me (and, after a musical weekend with the Dubliners I had just driven 300miles and arrived back very tired) but yes, today was important and I am very glad I got the call. As a matter of 'respect' it felt like it was the correct thing to do so I did make my sad journey. And took my most recent award for a last photo attempt to see IF the Press THIS TIME will highlight the serious issues. Yes the Berwickshire News, East Lothian Courier and East Lothian News HAVE given coverage to the current crisis in fishing but other papers have not even touched on it - not an interesting story for their readers... But this subject is certainly of interest to me and others I know so, I asked to go to the Harbour Office to see today's entries. Having been researching my project, some months back as part of my ongoing research - I was given the details of the Fairnie family tree and some of their fishing photos. Reading the office entry today, I commented to the Harbour Master - "SOLD and AWAY" - For such a short line, for those who know the bigger picture it is a short entry but one which says it all. Yet, for those who don't know, how can they understand. Wanting to explain more - I placed the Fairnie family tree and photo of the Nova Spero by the entry to try and convey a fuller story...

The event recorded in the diaries of Eyemouth Harbour - "MARGARETS AND NOVA SPERO LEFT FOR PETERHEAD 16.00HRS. SOLD AND AWAY"

I wonder - what thoughts are going through the minds of those on the boats tonight as they sail their boats away? No photos in this blog from me as the boats sailed out today, just my last photo tonight from Eyemouth as I prepared to leave - aware I'd be back to the harbour but that this day was the end of an era. And, when I reached Fisherrow and called to the Farinie's home - there, Jennifer Fairnie (wife of one of the two Fairnie brothers selling up today) she used the same expression in conversation with me:

"TODAY IS THE END OF AN ERA"

The end of an era - words that convey a tight, sick feeling in the pit of the stomach, words that burn the eyes with tears that try to fall. 

AWARDS: IN THE NEWS

Update 3.02.11: I WON!!!
- CULTURE SPARKS AWARD

January 2011 has seen a flurry of press articles on the continued awards I have won on behalf of my People and Songs of the Sea project (my multimedia celebratiion of the fishing community's culture and heritage). Many friends have contacted me to ask - "Have you seen that article?" "Do you have a copy I could look at?" Therefore, it seemed a good idea to gather together a flavour of the recent press so interested folks can read it as they wish. Also, this gives me the opportunity to say thanks to all who have contacted me, to mention how lovely it's been to share the excitement of these awards with friends and the special people who have encouraged me in my work. Of course, as ever I'd like to take the opportunity to express my thanks to the fisher folk who have let me photograph them and share their stories through my exhibitions in Scotland and on line around the world. In truth, it is a sad fact that there is little to celebrate in our fishing industry just now as it faces these hardest of economic times. Nevertheless, I feel relieved to have done the best I can to at least document this changing culture for future generations to learn about through the album, my photos and writing. As ever, my thanks to the fishing community. It's an honour to document and respectfully share people's photos and I am proud to have opened 2010 by winning the album award and now, the latest project recognition.



Decade Award won and presented to me in 2011



So, 2011? Well, January has been an eventful month! On Radio Liveireland, the year began with their best of the Decade programme on which it was announced my People and Songs of the Sea had won their creative project of the Decade award. The broadcast featured music by award winners in 15 categories - to hear the LIVEIRELAND DECADE SHOW please click the link (People and Songs of the Sea begins at the 35 minute mark but ALL the music is VERY well worth listening to so do sit back and give it a play!).



10.01.11 At the Irish Consulate, Shona McMillan presented with
an award certificate from Susan Conlon, Consul General of Scotland

As the story broke, the first paper to run a feature on it was the Berwickshire News and East Lothian Herald, a paper covering the news from East Lothian, through the Scottish Borders to the north of England. To access the story on their website you can click through to the BERWICKSHIRE NEWS their article talking about my project but also highlighting the current difficulties in the local Eyemouth fishing industry and the sad depletion of Scotland's fishing fleet.

Berwickshire News - click to enlarge photo

In East Lothian, the story ran in the EAST LOTHIAN COURIER with comments from locals including retired fisherman Archie Johnston. (And, from my earlier Blog SCOTTISH FISHING IN CRISIS you can play my video about the fishing boat "the Beulah", one of many, having to be sold off and its very sad final departure from Port Seton).

The Courier's photo (taken by their photographer on an incredibly windy day) shows me at Port Seton, East Lothian. Here, so many of my photos have been taken - the fishermen now well used to me turning up with my camera and photographing them at all hours of the day and in all seasons. Photographing them as they work along the harbour or in the net shed mending their nets and getting the boats ready for sea or, on their return, when the boats come home and land their catch.  Getting to know these hardworking people so well I can now read their expressions, the concern for their livelihood which can be apparent behind their welcoming smiles when the boats return after a very long night's hard work with a catch that is miserably poor in light of the high fuel costs they have, harbour dues, quotas and discarding legislation that they must adhere to... Sadly tho,' the socio-ecomic consequences of what I am photographing is not a story to get covered by all newspapers and it saddens me that some completely fail to even touch on the problems faced by the industry.

The story of what is happening in Scotland is also a story being similarly played out in Ireland. Indeed, many Irish fishermen have read my online postings and share their stories with me. Boats in Ireland also unable to sustain a living. Fishermen face the inevitable decision to continue or sell-up. Yet, stories also come back to me of boats up for sale but not being bought because of the numbers leaving the fishing at this time). The Irish aspect of People and Songs of the Sea touched on by the IRISH POST below.

In addition to award stories, Press interest in my work has been an opportunity to try and gather more information about the specific old family photo used for the People and Songs of the Sea album cover.

Newspapers the Musselburgh News and the East Lothian News both covered the personal story behind my project. The album cover shows a photograph my mum left me. Dressed in her Fisherrow fisher lassie's costume my mum, with family and friends, is collecting for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (the photo taken around 1936 in front of Fisherrow Harbour). The photo shows my mum, second from the right, her sister Wilma, far right and holding the boat. Second from the left is my Aunt Chris who passed away, Christmas 2010 (the sad news coming to me on the same day as the anniversary of my mum's passing in 2006). Accordingly, now that my own family members in the picture are gone, it will only be if someone else connected to the photo comes forward that I will learn the names of these unknown fisher faces.  Now in their eighties or nineties, time is running out for me to track down these women but I am sure that "out there" someone in the fishing community will know. Through my project, so many things have happened I could never have imagined eg: relations scattered around the world coming across my postings and getting in touch. And, a song my great grandfather recorded in 1928 making its way back to me from an American archive, crossing the miles and the years to come home. In these ongoing cultural connections, who can tell what this post may one day bring forth out of the online sea of opportunity that is today's truly remarkable world wide web.

As papers, such as the Fishing News above, other press and media continue to support and carry news of my project - the decline in the fishing industry won't be reversed but at least the cultural value of the fishing community will not just fade away in silence. Our nation's cultural heritage has helped make us who we are today. Therefore, it is essentila that we preserve our cultural heritage for future generations so that they too can look back (as I have) to know from where it was that their family's roots began.

You can keep up to date with my People and Songs of the Sea project through my online "Shona McMillan Celtic Reflections" sites and People and Songs of the Sea postings through my: FACEBOOK PAGE YOUTUBE CHANNEL, my BLOG and PEOPLE OF THE SEA GROUP.

In addition, for those who wish to purchase from me a copy of PEOPLE AND SONGS OF THE SEA  you can contact me directly through this blog, my website or buy the CD from  GREENTRAX RECORDINGS

 

Album Award won and presented to me in 2010



Thanks for visiting: SHONA MCMILLAN CELTIC REFLECTIONS and please feel free to rate my Blog or post any comments you have in the box below. Also, if you think others may find this of interest, please suggest to them that they visit my site. You can also directly invite your friends to join my Blog through Facebook or by sending them the link http://www.shonamcmillan.blogspot.com/ 

Kind regards, Shona McMillan.

WATERBOYS/SHANNON: "SAINTS & ANGELS"

A blog about one of my all time most favourite songs which so beautifully expresses my thoughts on friendship. Hence, why I have combined with the Waterboys music, a selection of my photos from special places in Scotland which I greatly enjoy, places of happy memories for me, family and friends. Places in the future that'll know many happy times to come.

My video - my way of saying a thank you to all my friends.

In 1989, I got to know the music of the Waterboys through their album Fisherman's Blues. From a fishing family it was my mum who first told me "you have to hear this group and their song." She'd heard them on the radio "a band from Scotland and Ireland playing their own amazing combination of rock and traditional music" - her description reflected them well. A band whose music I loved the first time I heard them play and, over the years, their music and that of Sharon Shannon's has become somewhat of a musical soundtrack to my life. In 2010, twenty one years on from Fisherman's Blues, my year started with "Saints and Angels" - a most magical song played by them and Sharon Shannon. That song, so often in my mind since. Now in 2011, I have worked to produce a video which reflects for me the words of their song in a combination of special photos.

Growing up in Edinburgh, on its border with East Lothian, visiting family there and similarly in Sutherland - I really identify these 3 areas as my 'home' in Scotland. And special memories of a place are formed over time through the special people who we benefit from having in our lives - people who are always in our hearts so that, when we are apart from them, that bond of love still continues and never dies. This song expresses for me that bond, a sentiment we may not always even express out loud, the feelings we know for those we care for, that they be safe and well until we meet again: "May the Saints and Angels watch over you." There are songs which seem able to make the world a better place. Here, the music and the way it is played is beautiful but oh, what truly magical, powerful  lyrics.

My story behind Saints and Angels begins on 31st December 2009. At home in Scotland, I was telephoned by a DJ from Liveireland Radio and told that my People and Songs of the Sea project CD had won 2010 Compendium Album of the Year. Featured in Liveireland's radio programme, broadcast from Chicago and Dublin, I listened over the internet to the album's recording (the track of 100 fisher folk recorded in the Auld Kirk in Cockenzie and Port Seton with local people from Newhaven, East Lothian and Eyemouth).

Having been prompted to “celebrate the fishing community” by my mum in 2006, three years on, it was very emotional to hear that the album had won this award and to hear her name "Jean Thorburn" as they talked about the project’s music and 2009 exhibitions being visited by 12,000 people. In producing this album, a compilation of Celtic artists, local fisher folk and two songs from myself - my goal (with Greentrax Recordings) was to produce an archive collection of music reflecting the story of Scotland’s fishing. An industry which in the past, was also contributed to by Irish workers, both at sea and on the land. Irish fishermen sailed after the Herring (the silver darlings) and along the coast, teams of hardy fisher girls followed to gut the fish (a woman able to gut up to 1,000 fish in a day). Coming from Ireland, joining the Scots Herring girls here, these women worked from Scotland down to England as the huge catches of fish were landed. A multi-cultural workforce, Scots and Irish earning their living together, sharing culture, music and song.

Descended from a Scottish fishing family (which I think Irish fisher women married in to), I was motivated throughout the years of my project to see my work produce a legacy for the fishing community and industry, now so sadly in decline and surely undergoing the greatest period of change in its history. In addition as a singer and musician, who has learnt to play through musical sessions with many others, having enjoyed so much happiness through my music there's a desire in me to similarly 'give something back' through music. And on my personal musical journey, although many musicians have inspired, influenced and encouraged me - surely none more so than the music of the Waterboys and Sharon Shannon (who in 1989, all played together). Through the Waterboys I travelled to Ireland and through Sharon, a short visit to Galway became extended with me finally living there for many months. Such strong musical influences and memories of happy times weave a rich tapestry which intertwines with time so that finally, all these experiences become your life - a personal musical soundtrack to revisit and relive memories of many, many great and special times.

In January 2010, at the end of the Liveireland radio programme, still listening to the broadcast from America - as one programme went on in to the next, a wonderful song came on. I could not believe how beautifully the words and music reflected the emotions and sentiments that I so often feel for my many friends who are scattered around the world. In addition, 'may the Saints and Angels watch over you' - how well these words reflect the unspoken emotion I so often feel when I watch a boat put out to sea. And in stormy weather, that intense relief that fisher folk experience when they stand and watch a boat come safely back in to port...

I had never knowingly heard this song before, such well chosen lyrics and music. It wasn't the best connection to America and I strained to hear who the artist was - "the Waterboys and Sharon Shannon" And I smiled at the musical combination of talented friends playing a song I consider to be one of absolute 'perfection'.

Saints and Angels was written by Mike Scott and Steve Wickham and on this track they are joined again by Sharon Shannon. Such wonderful music it has greatly inspired and moved me with its sentiment. So, one year on, I have looked through the photos I have taken since 2006 and chosen from these the images those which best reflect what I see in my mind when I listen to this song. Photos from the Firth of Forth coast, from East Lothian, from Edinburgh to Eyemouth. And from my very special 'home' up north in Sutherland - photos from the North West Highland villages that I have frequented all my life with my family and my closest friends. Finally, I wish to say to all my friends, (past, present and future), the lyrics of this song say it all: "May the Saints and Angels watch over you."

For more great music from the Waterboys and Sharon Shannon, please visit their respective websites:

http://www.mikescottwaterboys.com/  http://www.sharonshannon.com/

To learn more about my People and Songs of the Sea project visit: http://www.shonamcmillan.co.uk/ other postings in this blog, also http://www.facebook.com/shonamcmillan.celticreflections and visit my Youtube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/ShonaMcMillan

SAINTS AND ANGELS (Scott/Wickham)

It is a wide world we travel

and our paths rarely cross

and we do a whole lot of living in between

So come we'll share more than time

We'll put our cares far behind

while we sail the ship that never goes to sea (friendship)

It could be months, and it could be years

until we find one another once more standing here

until then my beautiful friend I have a wish for you

Many hearts to keep you warm

Many guides to speed you through the storm

and may the saints and angels watch over you

FISHING IN CRISIS

Further to the Press stories out today in the East Lothian Courier and the Berwickshire News, this blog, photos and video from my 'People and Songs of the Sea' project further highlights the sad and challenging times currently facing Scotland's fishing industry.

Unable to make a living, with high fuel prices, an economic downturn and amidst strict and controversial government legislation - Scottish fishing boats are being sold off or decommissioned at a rate which will see them all but disappear from our harbours. Through the current European legislation, it looks like fishing in Scotland's waters will end up being left to foreign boats (who can receive subsidies from the governments of their origin).

From a personal viewpoint - it can be seen as arguable that the strict legislation applied in Scottish and UK waters is all for environmental reasons (instead of more political ones). For example - it is NOT an environmentally sustainable procedure to dump dead fish back in to the sea but if a fisherman exceeds his catching quota then that is what he is legally forced to do. Once caught in a net, fish dumped or 'discarded' back in to the sea will not live so WHY are fishermen forced to by law to comply with legislation which actually does more harm to the sea than good?

Many fishermen are disgusted at the extent of fish they are forced to dump and believe that this could be more than 50% of what they catch. Before a net is pulled in a fisherman can not tell what the catch will be... Personally, I would rather an advance harbour landing quota was set for each boat and when that was reached, if exceeded, the additional fish would still be landed but sold off and the money put in to a mutual financial pot - the money from which could go towards fishermen, who nearing their quota limit, would then be subsidised NOT to go out to sea with the immediate risk of surpassing their landing quota. This would spread fishing across an entire year (not govern it by a quota of days so fishermen did not risk going out in bad weather to fish) giving fishermen the whole year to manage the landing of their agreed quota (and not polluting the sea with dead fish). I DO THINK the industry needs to be governed BUT current legislation is not just lacking in substance but misinformed and detrimental to industry and environment.

People outwith the industry may assume that ALL the problems experienced within the industry are caused by over fishing but to assume this is not to see the bigger picture as the current government legislation is NOT environmentally friendly. In addition, at a sickening rate, the fishing boats are disappearing from around Scotland's coast and with the boats goes the industry, the local economies the industry supports and the communities which have been built up through the fishing which has sustained these coastal communities for many hundreds of years. Suddenly all this is changing, almost overnight.

To look at the future of the industry - consider the fact that the people who do go out to sea are most likely to follow their family tradition to work in the industry. Accordingly, when fisher folk are finally forced out of fishing - it is very unlikely that non fishing people are going to enter the industry either (an industry which needs young people to survive and build it for the future). Once the fishing skills of today are lost for the industry's tomorrow, the industry can not survive and then the community is also lost.

More needs to be done to to help fishing communities with the extent of socio-economic problems they are currently experiencing in the rapid decline of the fishing and the demise of the community which once bound them together. For a young person to learn to fish, to purchase a boat and go to sea - the significant costs to enter the industry are impossible. Amidst such problems legisaltion IS required but IS ENOUGH BEING done to help?

Descended from a fishing family, my photos and videos are part of my self-financed People and Songs of the Sea project, winner of the Livireland and Irish American News "Creative Project of the Decade" (2000-2010) and the compilation CD (available from http://www.greentrax.com/ ) winner of "2010 Compendium Album of the Year." In 2009, my photo exhibitions were visited by 12,000 people and I am now focussed on a new body of work for exhibition in 2014, Homecoming II.



CLICK CD COVER FOR MORE PHOTOS



For more info please join our People and Songs of the Sea group  and visit my website http://www.shonamcmillan.co.uk/