This was recorded late in the evening of October 11th, outside at Old Salem Tavern in Winston-Salem, NC. Written just two days prior…you can hear the crickets, which we think adds to the atmosphere. Enjoy!

For more information, visit http://www.mickeyhartemusic.com!

Hugh Allison was born in Lochaber, Scotland and has felt a strong connection to his past from an early age. Over the years he has put his experiences and learning of history into three books that show a culture that originated in the highlands and lowlands of Scotland, over many centuries, but ended up spreading across the world. His first book, Roots of Stone, tells the story of those who came before, a direct connection to the author’s personal heritage.

His next book, Rivers Running Far, tells the story of those who went away, the thousands of Scottish immigrants that spread their heritage halfway around the globe. His latest book, Culloden Tales, are stories about the place that ended the Highland way of life and would eventually help populate our country with many ideas that became the basis for our formation as a nation.

These stories that have been passed down, or experienced by the author, and show the impact of a single location and moment in time on the future of a country. Hugh weaves all of the tales with passion and humor, leaving the reader, or listener, yearning to know more about this magical, ancient place known as Alba (Gaelic for Scotland). www.scottishtalespinner.com

You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to meet an entertaining speaker, and possibly a distant relative, if you have Scottish roots or an interest in all things Scottish.

Hugh will be at the following locations; Sept. 26, River House Inn in Grassy Creek, NC (www.riverhousenc.com), Sept. 27 Old Salem Tavern, Winston Salem, NC (www.oldsalemtavern.com), Sept. 29 Tirnanog Irish Pub, Raleigh, NC for whiskey tasting and dinner (www.tirnanogirishpub.com) and at the Williamsburg Scottish Festival on Oct 1 & 2 (www.wsfonline.org)

An oft-overlooked fact… over 2 million emigrated to America from Ulster prior to 1900. Collectively, those people had a profound impact on American history and culture. Several American Presidents, most notably Andrew Jackson, U.S. Grant, and Teddy Roosevelt had Ulster roots. The Ulster American Folk Park explores the various reasons for the waves of migration reaching back to the early 1700s. People of all stations of life crossed the Atlantic… destined to become “Americans.”

The Park is a fascinating, open-air, sprawling museum including 30 buildings, some of which are recreations, some being lovingly restored originals. Staffed with interpreters and “people of history,” from them one gains a sense of place and time. Particularly of rural life in the 1700s and 1800s. Visitors are first guided through parts of an Irish village of smallholdings, cottages, churches, weavers shop, and a blacksmith’s shop. You’ll see and hear people go about their daily business as in earlier times.

“Ireland” then “ends” in a city street, complete with well-stocked shops, leading down to a quay. Here a sailing ship awaits…you board … for transport to “America.” Debarking, it’s through the immigration shed into a virtual street from 19th Century Boston. Then journey on until you are in the open countryside. Here, several farmsteads are recreated with a loving eye for detail, complete with crops and livestock. There’s even a log house directly from Greene County, PA.

All in all, the Ulster American Folk Park is an amazing experience. Especially for those of us from American frontier roots. Common traditions continue on both sides of The Atlantic. Of those, music is ever-present. In celebration, the Ulster American Folk Park’s annual Bluegrass Festival has been a calendar highlight for more than sixteen years. Who knows what musical moments we might share there!

To explore more, here’s the website: http://www.nmni.com/uafp

For just $10 you and a family member or friend can enjoy one of five tour packages to Scotland or Ireland – winners choice.  The Williamsburg Scottish Festival, in partnership with Guardian Travel Chesapeake and Celtic Force Enterprise, will be raffling a tour for two on Saturday October 2 at the Main Parade Field closing ceremony. 

You do not need to be present to win.  Only 3,900 tickets will be sold.  All proceeds of this raffle will be used to pay for Festival Competition cost and scholarships of winners.  Here are the tour raffle options.  You do not need to make a choice until the day you win.

For more information, visit the raffle site: http://www.wsfonline.org/tour-raffle.org

The Celtic Force – Visit our website: www.thecelticforce.com

Scotland's Blair Castle

The Homecoming tour to Scotland has been a rousing success.

The weather, we are told, has been the best they have had in a several months.

The scenery is fantastic, the people are wonderful and the experience will last a life time. We have felt the presence of our dear friend, David R Ross, all along the way.

The country is even more magical than he had described.

Celtic Force has decided to continue to offer these types of tours in the future with plans for some very special packages.

We will also be working with those in Scotland to be able to come to America and tour our country.

The bond that has formed between our tour group and this ancient land & its people is beyond words.
Start saving your pennies, we’ll be coming back very soon.

Slainte from Scotland,
Donovan

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For instance, our journey into the Highlands on Friday will take us by Loch Lomond and wind its way into the Highlands across Rannoch Moor, by Glencoe and into Fort William for lunch. The trip continues north from there and features some beautiful scenery and a stop at Urquhart Castle (1) on the shores of Loch Ness. This castle stood during the time of Wallace and was one of the most formidable of its kind. A giant step back in time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urquhart_Castle

We’ll find our way to Inverness from there, check into the Columba Hotel, across the Ness River from Inverness Castle (2) and prepare ourselves for an evening at Hootananny, http://www.hootananny.co.uk/index-2.php a great night spot with a performance by Ted Christopher, http://www.bannockburnband.co.uk/ one of Scotland’s busiest and most entertaining singers. (And close friend of David’s)

On Sat. we rise, have our breakfast and say goodbye to Inverness as we make our way to Culloden Battlefield. http://www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/Home/  We will stand on the ground that saw the end of a way of life for Scotland. A haunting place that stirs emotions of those that understand its significance, a place Big Davey said was a must see on this trip.

Did I mention that our guide for the Highlands and Culloden is Hugh Allison, http://www.scottishtalespinner.com/ (another friend of David’s) who is the former Director of the Culloden Battlefield.  A writer himself, Hugh will be a great addition to our trip. I bet he will have some interesting insights and a few funny stories about Davey.

We leave Hugh at Culloden and head south toward our next evening’s lodging in Pitlochry. On our way there we will make another stop at Blair Castle (3). http://www.blair-castle.co.uk/  This is the home of the Murray Clan and is one of the busiest castles in Scotland. We will not be doing an inside tour of the castle but we will see the grounds and visit the ruins of St Brides Kirk, that is tucked away under some very old, very large trees. St Brides was built on a Druid mound and was constructed during the 1100s. Buried under the floor of the Kirk is Bonnie Dundee, one of Scotland’s strongest military leaders during the time of King James II & IV, who was killed during the battle of Killiecrankie, just a couple of miles down the road.

After an early afternoon check in at our hotel and time to catch your breath, we’ll head toward our evenings destination, a wedding and dinner at Murthly Castle (4) near Dunkeld. http://www.murthly-estate.com/page2.html We plan to be there around 4 pm to tour the glorious grounds of this 15^th century castle in daylight then move into the 17^th century chapel for the wedding of our good friends Randy Dedrickson and Susan Barry Hallenburg. We’ll have great music for the service featuring bagpipes, Susie Malcolm on harp and her husband, 2004 Scots Trad Songwriter of the Year, Jim Malcolm, singing and playing guitar. http://www.jimmalcolm.com/  The local minister, Rev. Bill Ewart (in kilt of course), will be officiating at one of his last services, as he is due to retire in April.

Once the service is completed we move into the castle for dinner and an evening of more great music. Jim will join us again in the evening and Scottish fiddler Pete Clark http://www.musicinscotland.com/PeteClark/ along with a pianist will perform and also play some dance music for us. Can you say ceilidh? (kay-lee)

I might also mention that our special guest for the evening (besides the bride & groom) will be the owners of Murthly Castle. Cool, huh?

So, there you go, four castles and a wedding. And this all happens within a 36-hour period.

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This trip will allow you to see some of the best Scotland has to offer and there will be plenty of music and merriment to be had.

Stirling, Bannockburn, Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Glencoe, the Highlands, castles, all will leave their marks. Featuring performances by Albannach, Ted Christopher, Jim Malcolm and Mickey Harte, in some of Scotland’s most interesting places.

This trip will be the experience of a lifetime!!!

For more information, visit: CLICK HERE!

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David’s passing naturally raises many questions. Not the least of which is what impact there may be on the Scotland Tour coming up in March.  Davy was expected to ably lead us around his beloved Scotland with his abundant enthusiasm, wit and passion. Sadly, that’s no longer possible.

After much deliberation, we have decided we must carry on with the Scotland Tour.  David would want it that way.  And, in honor of David, we’re dedicating the March Homecoming Tour to him. His family and friends on both sides of the Atlantic will be gathering at the places he’d have loved to share with us. We’ll have several nights in his honor, including a more formal recognition of David R. Ross the evening of Sunday, 14^th March. And, from a practical standpoint, we’ve already had gracious offers from family and friends wanting to help out with managing the tour stops.  Stay tuned for more details. Davy would be proud.

So, to confirm, the Albannach/David R. Ross Homecoming Tour of March 2010 will definitely proceed. As for David R. Ross, we’ll have his continued inspiration yet not his physical presence. That’s a powerful force, indeed.

Lastly, I might mention that we still have a couple of places left available in our original group reservation with Continental Airlines. Should anyone wish to join Albannach, Celtic Force, and friends/family of David R. Ross, please contact us. 

Thanks for your continued interest and support.  Let’s raise a glass to David R. Ross… in Scotland.

With fondest regards,

The Celtic Force

Visit: http://www.davidrross.org

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