9 th – 16 th November – 15th Carrying Stream Festival Edinburgh
A Celebration of the Life & Legacy of Hamish Henderson
Wed 9 Bring In The Spirit 8:00 pm Summerhall
Bringing In the Spirit kicks off the Edinburgh FC’s 15th Carrying Stream Festival this week at Summerhall with their trio line-up comprising Rod Paterson, Kirsten Easdale and Gregor Lowrey. This is a seriously talented group. Rod is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s great (greatest?) interpreters of Burns songs and has been rightly highly rated as one of Scotland’s great traditional singers for years since his days with bands like Jock Tamson’s Bairns and The Easy Club.
Kirsten of the beautiful and powerful voice, “’…a God given voice that knocks you sideways” (Evening Times), is also highly regarded as a singer of Burns songs and has given performances for ‘The Centre for Robert Burns Studies’ at the University of Glasgow, as well as touring in Dr Fred Freeman’s live production of ‘The Complete Songs’.
Gregor is one of Scotland’s finest accordion players. He has travelled and performed throughout the world in many diverse line ups including ‘Blackeyed Biddy’ and ‘Ceilidh Minogue’. Recently Gregor was a guest artist Gavin Marwick’s album ‘The Long Road and the Far Horizons’ (Journeyman). He appeared in the film ‘What We Did on Our Holiday’ which featured Billy Connolly.
Time: doors 7:30pm / showtime 8pm Admission: …. £10 (non-members); £9 (concession); £6 (EFC members)
Thu 10 ‘They Sent a Wumman’: Nancy Nicolson at 75 – Scottish Storytelling Centre – 7.30 pm
A celebration of Nancy Nicolson, the “cultural crofter” from Caithness. Renowned for her quirky & poignant songwriting & storytelling skills, Nancy was once described as “an instant ceilidh”. This celebration to mark her 75th anniversary will feature, among others, Nancy’s fellow Caithnessian writer George Gunn, singer & multi-instrumentalist Annie Grace, jazz pianist Brian Kellock & cello player, singer & composer Wendy Weatherby. The celebration will be preceded by a book launch of Nancy’s Collected Songs (Grace Note Publications) £10.00, £8.00, £7.50
Fri 11 ‘You’re Wanted, Lads’: Frontline Voices from WW1 Storytelling Centre – 7.30 pm
Hear from the testimonies of ordinary soldiers from Perthshire & Aberdeenshire, collected over many painstaking years by Jock Duncan in Jock’s Jocks, a one act play featuring Scott Gardiner, Chris Wright, Charlie West and Gary West.
Also experience the poems & tunes of Seaforth Highlander E. Alan Mackintosh, with biographer Colin Campbell plus Neil MacLure and Linn Phipps.
A special marking of Armistice Day for the Carrying Stream Festival, in association with Edinburgh University’s School of Scottish Studies Archive. £10.00, £8.00, £7.50
Sat 12 Annual Hamish Henderson Lecture “No Ivory Tower: 12.30 pm
Hamish Henderson and Academic Life” Prof Frank Bechhofer
With songs from Alison McMorland & Geordie McIntyre Edinburgh City Chambers
Free admission
Sat 12 Chris Newman & Máire Ní Chathasaigh 8:00 pm Summerhall
The virtuoso partnership of England’s premier flatpicking guitarist and “the greatest Celtic harper of our age” (LIVE IRELAND) has by now brought its unique musical vision to twenty-two countries on five continents. Chris and Máire have performed at over 175 folk, Celtic, arts, harp and guitar festivals in Europe, the USA and Australasia and have given almost two thousand concerts in venues large and small – from the tiniest of historic churches in England, Germany and Italy to palaces in Kyoto and Istanbul, London’s Barbican, Sydney’s Town Hall and the Philharmonie in Cologne.
£12.00, £10.00, £8.00
Sun 13 TMSA Edinburgh & Lothians Branch Singing Session The Canon’s Gait, Canongate EH8 8DQ – 3.00. – 6.00. pm.
As part of the 15th Carrying Stream Festival (2016), The Traditional Song and Tunes group welcomes the TMSA Edinburgh & Lothians Branch to join them in a splendid session, downstairs at the Canon’s Gait, 232 Canongate, EH8 8DQ Celebrating the legacy of Hamish Henderson and those who inspired him. For all singers, musicians, story-tellers, listeners everywhere. FREE. Preceded at 2.00.pm by Edinburgh & Lothians TMSA Branch AGM (members only able to vote). Further details from: eltmsa@yahoo.co.uk or 0795 1918366 or 07762 101002. Also in association with Edinburgh Folk Club – more details about The Carrying Stream Festival
Sun 13 Ceilidh House Night Summerhall 8pm
Margaret Bennett, Fraser Nimmo, Eddie Seaman & Luc McNally
Margaret Bennett is a leading Scottish writer, folklorist. ethnologist, broadcaster and singer whose main interest lies in the field of traditional Scottish folk culture and song. “Margaret embodies the spirit of Scotland,” was Hamish Henderson’s glowing endorsement. Fraser Nimmo is a far-travelled Scottish folk singer and songwriter whose songs cover the whoile gamut of human experience and are delivered with flair, wit, compassion and serious musicianship on guitar and banjo. Dere Street are a duo from the Scottish Borders, playing guitar, mandolin and small pipes, with well-crafted songs in the tradition of the Border Ballads. £10.00, £8.00, £7.00

Mon 14 ‘From Thurso to Berwick: Remembering Morris Blythman’ Scottish Storytelling Centre 7:30 pm
A Rebel Ceilidh Come All Ye celebrating the songs & poetry of Morris Blythman (Thurso Berwick), the “Magic Marxist” of the Scottish Folk Revival. Songs Republican & Radical, Nationalist & Internationalist. The inspiration for a generation & more of singers & songwriters. Starring Alastair McDonald. With Raymond Ross & Corinne Harris.
£10.00, £9.00, £7.50
Wed 16 Clive Gregson Doors 7:30 -8:00 pm Summerhall
Born and raised in Manchester, England, Clive is an accomplished singer, musician and record producer. He started his professional music career in 1980 as the leader of cult band Any Trouble. Along the road from pop frontman to singer-songwriter, Clive has followed many musical diversions. Clive relocated to the USA in 1993. He continues to tour regularly and write prolifically.
£10.00, £8.00, £7.00
While Correct at time of printing please check with festival for any alterations, amendments or additions