TRAIL WEST AT THE GATHERING 2011

This year another fantastic line up in the ceilidh tent which is sure to have you whirling and wheeching around the dance floor all day with Trail West who will top the bill at this year’s gathering after a blistering performance at last year’s event. Comprising of Ian Smith on accordion/midi bass, Andrew Findlater on drums and vocals and Alain Campbell on guitars and bagpipes, the group offer a refreshing, yet traditional, west coast ceilidh band sound. Guest musicians for live performances enrich this unmistakable sound.

Since forming in 2008, Trail West have been in high demand throughout the UK and their reputation has continued to grow.

Trail West have toured the west coast of Scotland, performing in places such as Barra, Mull, Islay and Stornoway and at festivals such as the Mull Music Festival, the first ever Tiree Music Festival and Barrafest, enthralling audiences with their entertaining style of music. Their progress was rewarded when the band was nominated for the ’Scottish Dance Band of the Year’ category at the MG Alba Scots Traditional Music Awards in 2010

The Ceilidh  tent will kick off at 12.15pm by the multi-talented Strachur based ………………………………………………………. (more…)

Cowal Highland Gathering have announced  that the television presenter, writer, director and Cowal native  Paul Murton is to be the Honary Chieftain for  the Cowal Gathering 2012.

Cowal Highland Gathering Honorary Chieftain 2012 - Paul Murton

Paul will attend the Cowal Gathering on Saturday 25^th August 2012. As Chieftain he will present the trophies to the winners in the World Highland Dancing Championships, before accepting the salute from the spectacular massed bands and presenting the winning bands with some of the most prestigious trophies in the pipe band world.

Cowal Gathering Event Manager, Malcolm Barclay, has said “we are delighted That Paul has accepted our invitation to be this year’s Chieftain and look forward to welcoming him back to Dunoon. His passion for Scotland and its culture is well known and we are certain he will enjoy his day at one of the finest cultural events Scotland has to offer.”   Paul Murton  has said “it is a privilege and an honour to be asked to act as the games’ chieftain for the Day – especially so because I have many fond memories of the event from my childhood, joining the crowds to thrill at the march past of the Thousand Pipers. And now I’ll be taking the salute!”

Paul was brought up among the hills of Cowal, where his parents owned and ran the Ardentinny Hotel on the shores of Loch Long. Paul attended the single teacher Ardentinny Primary school, before moving up to Dunoon Grammar School.   In recent years Paul has worked in television and film, across a range of genres. His drama credits include The Bill, Casualty, the period drama Bramwell, and the Scottish soap opera, River City. Returning to Scotland with his young family, Paul worked as a freelance producer/director on a number of documentaries for the BBC, Channel Four and STV. In 2007, he began a career in front of the camera as the presenter and director of Scotland’s Clans. More recently, he has become associated the BBC series Grand Tours of Scotland, which he writes, directs and presents.