|
Frank Taylor, The Flying Scotsman |
Flying Scotsman Receives Flying Colours
by Jane Taylor - September 2000
Frank Taylor, The Flying Scotsman, has just returned from a successful tour south of the border. Frank and I (his wife Jane) entertained at the 25th Anniversary New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mountain, in Lincoln, New Hampshire, from September 15th to the 17th. During a whirlwind and busy weekend, The Flying Scotsman’s show was successfully received.
The Highland Games events, venues and vendors are spread out across 20 acres of the Loon Mountain Ski resort area, nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Attendance was estimated at over 35,000 people over three days. There was enough tartan to cover a football field! Even the dogs were decked out in plaid!.
Known for its hugely diverse program, highlights included the Gathering of the Clans, Massed Bands, Sheepdog Trials, Celtic World Music Concerts, US National Scottish Fiddle Championships, International Heavyweight Scottish Athletics, Highland Dance, Solo Piping and Drumming, Scottish Harp and Other Instruments Competitions.
There were a wide selection of seminars and workshops for Genealogy, Scottish History and Tartans, Whisky Tasting, Scottish Country Dance, Gaelic Language and Song, and Scottish musical instruments. While Frank entertained the troops, I found time to stroll through Historical Re-enactment area, visited over 70 Clan Tents and Societies and two villages of Scottish Vendors. I also played her bodhran (drum) during the opening ceilidh session with John Carmichael & Alasdair Fraser.
The highlight of the weekend for Frank was chatting with the amazing multi-instrumental musicians of Scotland’s famous “Battlefield Band” before and after their Friday evening concert. Frank reminisced about the folk music scene in Glasgow with Michael Katz (bagpipes, whistles), Alan Reid (Keyboards), Karine Polwart (guitar, vocals and amusing Scottish stories) and John McCusker (phenomenal fiddle player, who kept shouting MORE to an enthusiastic audience!).
Frank with John Carmichael, Karine Polwart and Alan Reid at the ceilidh on Friday evening.
Frank with Michael Katz after the Battlefield Band performance
Frank’s scheduled performances included playing to a crowd of over 1200 people in the Millennium tent on Friday. Thousands watched and listened as Frank starred as the Scottish Troubadour all day Saturday and Sunday in the Vendor Village East area of the grounds. The Flying Scotsman also performed two concerts at the Governor’s Lodge during the busy weekend.
Frank was honoured to sing the Canadian National Anthem "O Canada" to open the games on Saturday at noon, immediately after all the VIP’s were introduced to an enthusiastic crowd in excess of 18,000 people! Frank then mingled and chatted with games dignitaries such as Callum Grant, President of the New Hampshire Gathering of the Scottish Clans; the Honourable George Fergusson, British Consul General; and Honorable Mary Clancy, Canadian Consul General.
Frank also acted as Master of Ceremonies and host of the “Saturday Night in Scotland” dinner. Sharing the stage for the evening show were the Glengarry Bhoys and 8 Wing RCAF Trenton Pipe Band. Over 1000 people attended Saturday evening’s dinner and show, featuring all Canadian entertainment.
Frank also enjoyed singing, talking and exchanging stories with Maggie Anderson from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Maggie and some of her students came over to entertain at the games.
One of Frank’s compositions, “Rise Again” from his “Thistledown Thunder” CD, was included in the NHHG compilation CD “Music from the Highlands”. Frank was also approached by Ossian USA, traditional Irish and Scottish music distributors, and countless Clan societies inquired about hiring Frank’s show!
The best dressed Highlander trophy was awarded to a fellow clansman of course, Malcolm Taylor! Here's a picture of Malcolm and Frank together after the closing ceremonies.
http://www.TheFlyingScotsman.ca/home.htm