Arran in George Square – by train, sort of

Jim Henderson

On Saturday 14th May the Arran contingent heading for the big event in George Square, Glasgow, hit a snag when there was no train beyond Paisley.  Buses said to be waiting at Johnstone were not there, so arrival in the Square was a bit delayed. But they got going quickly and the event was a resounding success. A representative of Glasgow Council said that the attendance on Saturday was almost a record for an event being held in the Square.

Stalls mounted by a vast array of island businesses from Arran Asia to Arran Dairies, with every kind of enterprise in between, raised great interest. In the main large marquee Arran food was on sale and samples of whisky from the Arran Distillery were much appreciated. In the main Square Radio Clyde was mounting a live live radio show, and on the stage of the Arran Haulage lorry Arran Events was offering a great array of talent from Arran performers. .

All the bands had at least one participant with an Arran connection, and several were totally island-based. The memorable ones were Johnny and the Jetpatchers, the Biff Quartet, Rambling Boys & Robin & Amy. The music certainly did a lot to encourage the public to stay around for most of the day

Returning home on Sunday, feeling a bit tired but well satisfied with the weekend, there was again a glitch when a replacement bus meant to leave Central at 4.15 was rescheduled for 4.50. Would it make the ferry? After some frantic mobile phone calls to Cal Mac, the ferry waited and all was well.

Thanks to www.rumble.tv for Pictures in the Square & Jim Henderson for pictures of the dog & the Band