Posts Tagged ‘Scotland’

By Maureen Perdomo and Jack Long, Guest Writers

In early July, on a crisp Sunday morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the sounds of the song “The Kiss,” from the movie, “The Last of the Mohicans,” could be heard filtering down through the rocks and the crags into the valleys below.

Above, on a mile-high pedestrian bridge, 28 members of the Chelsea House Orchestra played as they crossed from one peak to another, bringing their version of “Celtic with a kick” to yet another part of the world.

This glorious site was the conclusion of CHO’s first trip to the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, where the largest gathering of the clans in the United States takes place each year to celebrate their Scottish heritage.

This trip would also mark the beginning of one of the busiest and most traveled months in the CHO’s history, putting in over 2,400 miles in a three-week period in a tour that covered shows in North Carolina, Jackson, Edinboro, Pa., Grass Lake and ending in Chelsea.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

Celtic Force Enterprises Inc. is pleased to announce receipt of first inventory of books by the late Scottish historian and author David R. Ross. Currently available are these titles:

• Desire Lines, David’s unique combination travelogue and history book on his beloved Scotland.

• On the Trail of William Wallace, David’s refreshing insight into the life and heritage of the great Scots hero whose proud story is at the very heart of what it means to be Scottish.

Books can be purchased by contacting Eric Johnson.  Send email to:  thecelticforceej@gmail.com for more information.

Additional inventory of other David Ross books is expected soon. Included will be his last work, Scottish Women, scheduled for release in June. Look for further announcements here.

David Robertson Ross is, and was, a patriotic Scot who loved his country and its people. He was passionate about the rich tapestry of Scottish history. David  specialised in the great Scottish hero Sir William Wallace. He loved Scotland’s past AND present. David believed his writing gave him the opportunity to promote Scotland in a positive light. For David, it was always important to show Scotland as ready to take its equal place in the world of the future.

David Ross websites:

http://www.davidrross.org
http://www.walkforwallace.com
http://www.thesocietyofwilliamwallace.com

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

Stay Connected!

Celtic Force is always looking for those things in Celtic music that are a bit out of the ordinary. And when we find interesting stories we like to pass them along. Here’s a good one…..

Burns & Ogletree
18th Century Scottish Poetry Inna ReggaeScot Style

It has been 27 years since he penned and performed the drum score for their breakthrough album New Gold Dream, and 25 since the halcyon days of the Perth Pop Anthem – Feels Like Heaven, and now Simple Minds and Fiction Factory drummer Mike Ogletree plays acoustic guitar and sings the songs of Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns.

“I’ve always been a singer song-writer,” says Mike, “when I was 13 I had a guitar and a drum kit, but my hero was Jimi Hendrix. However, since it’s very hard to be a rock band when all your friends want to be guitar gods, I usually ended up playing drums whenever we jammed. And, being admired for my “natural rhythm”, it usually was the best solution and stuck. But I never forgot those singer song-writer roots.”

Since 2006 Mike has been living in New York where he combined all his talents to arrange, perform and produce an inventive CD of Robert Burns music

You can find more information about Mike and his work at www.immortalmemory.net

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

Stay Connected!

 

Enjoy these 2 amazing videos showcasing visions of Scotland and beautiful music by Jim Malcolm & Lark and Spur.

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

Stay Connected! 

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

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

Stay Connected! 

An evening at the Three Sisters Pub to remember David R Ross

When we heard of the news of the loss of David we were as stunned as anyone about his sudden passing. We also had to decide how that loss would impact our plans to continue with the tour to Scotland next month. Something inside told us that if we didn’t go through with it David would come back with his 5-foot claymore and rip us a new one! He would not want his absence to deter anyone from experiencing his homeland first hand. 

We would like to make an open invitation to anyone that wishes to join us in raising a toast to David on his home soil on Sunday night March 14^th. Our tour group will gather in Edinburgh with friends of David’s from such organizations as Society of William Wallace, Tartan Army and others to share stories, meet new friends, listen to some music and have a few drinks. This will take place at the Three Sisters Pub on Cowgate Street in Edinburgh from 7:30 pm till midnight. It will be a party as big as the Big Man himself and all who wish to join in are welcome.  This pub is a fitting location due to the fact that this is where the St Andrews celebration was held this past November with David providing the words and Ted Christopher and Albannach providing the music. Ted and Albannach will join us during our evening as well.

There is a cover charge of 10 Pounds to help offset expenses of the evening and a cash bar will be provided. We plan to have some food, raffles, music, laughs and a memorable time as we toast our friend and the inspiration for this tour. Join us if you can.

To see pictures and learn more about Three Sisters Pub, visit: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/pubguide/threesisters.html

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

Stay Connected! 

This video was sent to us by the Big Guy, David R Ross, in November, 2009. It speaks about the efforts made by certain entities to keep Scotland from obtaining their independence. It’s in Gaelic but with subtitles. I think you will find it interesting and understand a bit more about what David and his friends are up against when it comes to their efforts to see Scotland as a free nation once more. This is the first of a six part series found on Youtube. It takes some time but is very informative.

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

Stay Connected!

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk

This year’s Celtic Connections festival got underway this afternoon with 130 torch-bearers braving the snow and ice. Led by the Scottish Power Pipe Band and the city’s provost, the procession walked from Glasgow’s George Square to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Events kick off this evening at the opening concert with a line up of fifty performers including Aidan O’Rourke, Carlos Núñez, Lau, Catriona McKay and Chris Stout.

On Monday we will be updating our Celtic Connections site with photos from the opening weekend’s concerts and don’t forget you can catch the Jewels Of The Ocean concert live from The Old Fruitmarket on BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal on Sunday (17th Jan) evening at 20:00 and also highlights from A Scottish Songbook at the Concert Hall on BBC Two Scotland on Monday (18th Jan) evening at 21:00.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

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

Stay Connected!