Switchback's Scotland Debut

by Katrina Shepherd

Sunday 24th September 2006

It was wonderful to be able to welcome the Switchback tour to Scotland for the very first time this morning when their coach arrived from Glasgow at Balloch on the shores of Loch Lomond.  Lovely to have the opportunity to meet so many Americans from such diverse places, all brought together and connected with each other through their love of Switchback's music.  On an unexpectedly rainy morning, the cruise around Loch Lomond was an ideal opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new friends.  The whole experience shone a special light on Loch Lomond. 

Tuesday 26th September 2006

On their return from exploring Inverness, Loch Ness, Ballachullish, Glen Coe and the Highlands of Scotland, I  enjoyed being able to introduce the Switchback tour to Ronnie, a Scottish relation of very good Switchback friends Bob and Terri, at a garden centre near the city of Stirling on a very pleasant afternoon.  This was followed by an exciting tour around Stirling Castle given by an excellent storytelling guide.

Wednesday 27th September 2006 

Today, I joined Switchback in the beautiful capital city of Edinburgh to explore Edinburgh Castle with a memorable visit to see the Stone of Destiny.  I also appreciated the opportunity to get to know more people on the Switchback tour and to visit St Giles Cathedral and the Thistle Chapel with some of them.

This evening, Switchback played at The Pleasance, an Edinburgh Folk Club and Edinburgh Fringe Festival venue, as the opener for headliner act Johnny Dickinson.  This is the first time I've heard Switchback play live and it was a real privilege to hear them play here in Scotland. Switchback opened with a vibrant 25-minute performance, which captivated the entire audience. They played "Stranded, Ragged and Poor," "Bamboozled," "Falling River Water," "Wild Irish Polkas," "Steller Jay's Wing" and "Jesse Taylor's Nightmare."  After Switchback's impressive opening, gifted headliner act Johnny Dickinson, a delta blues and slide guitar player from Northumberland, "The Most Potent Slide Player in the UK" (Newcastle Evening Chronicle) played wonderfully.  Switchback played for another amazing 15 minutes - "Brown Colleen," "Far Away From Where The Fighting Is," and "Connemara Man" at the start of the second half of a beautiful evening of great music.

On a personal note,  I was very happy to be able to welcome the Switchback tour to my homeland.  I really enjoyed talking with Marty and Brian, Brian's Mum, Tammy, Lora, Mindy, Andy, Mark, Susie, Mary, Susan and Indiana John, Arlene, and everyone else I met. Great to hear how much you all enjoyed visiting Scotland. Thank you all lots for giving me the opportunity to see Scotland from a totally new perspective too.

  Love, Katrina