Come Along to The Ukulele Festival of Scotland 2019

Our memories of this gathering are many and varied.  From the kick off on Friday afternoon at the Castle Jam, to the midnight and candlelight concert in Crichton Church to excellent workshops, jams, coffee with friends, stage presentations, a Saturday night gala concert by The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and then the upbeat but...alas, melancholy, grande finale all events on the program are fabulous!  Oh, and the venue!  That is fabulous too.  The grounds surrounding Crichton Church and Easterbrook Hall are green, flowered and lovely.  The only drawback for us is that our hotel is a good 30-40 minute walk from the festival.  So.  We arrive early and we stay...all day...and all evening into the night before calling the taxi service.

Steve says...the right size for espresso!

Glamping jamming tents!  There are two of them all set up for anyone who wants to join in or start their own session.  Can’t pass up crawling in here and doing a little strumming.

Everyone gets a songbook to use...and keep!

This weekend the flowers are in full bloom, the sky is in full blue (except when it’s in full grey and rain) and the vibe is full on FUN!

In case you forgot, you are in Scotland!~

On Saturday and Sunday the church is used for open mic competition and some concert acts.  Incredible acoustics!

And...dog friendly!  See the dog getting A+ for music appreciation?

Saturday night The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain preformed.  We are so excited to experience this group!  They perform all over the world and have been going strong for many many years.  

On Sunday we attend a master’s class with two members of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.  What an interesting and fun hour!

We can see why this festival is so highly acclaimed.  We agree!  

Just look at these “Help Baskets” that sit by the entry to various buildings....what a great list of “emergency” items...available for...you!

First aid kit...

....a folding cane...

Vitamin C!....

Umbrellas to get you from one building to the next if the sky opens UP...and the rain comes DOWN!

Mike Hind is the lead for the Grand Finale, which features bagpipes, all the teachers and presenters, the entire audience...as everyone sings a few Scottish favorites (think 500 in the audience with ukuleles!)....

The beginning song is sung to “Born Free”....

We end up with confetti canons and verses of Auld Lang Syne....here comes the melancholy.....it could be that next year the festival may not happen.  That is a very very sad thought, as truly, this has been a gathering with great spirit...Aloha spirit!  (Love, Welcome, Hello Friend, Good to See You, Happy to Be With You...kind of Spirit)

Yes, purple is the official color...no doubt about it.

We’ll go on the hope that there will be another Ukulele Festival of Scotland AND that someday we will return!

For now....Aloha!