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A CEILIDH held in Wick to celebrate the first birthday of Yes Caithness hit the right note with the public and helped raise money for local organisations.

The event, held at the Nethercliffe Hotel on Sunday, attracted a good crowd and a varied mix of performers, said Ian Sinclair who helped stage it.

Local musicians, poets and storytellers performed during the afternoon. They included Saor Alba Soul Band comprising Ian Sinclair and John Newton (vocals and guitars), Peter Dyson (piano), Jimmy Riddell (drums), Donald McNeil (bass), Alex Gunn (sax) and John Morrison on trumpet. Also taking part were Jackie and John Newton (country/folk/roots music), Nancy Nicolson (singer/songwriter), Johnny McLeod (whistle player/poet), Donald McNeil (singer/songwriter), Susan Dearness (Gaelic singer), George Gunn (poet) and David Rosie (storyteller) as well as young pipers and a drummer from the Wick pipe band – Morven and Glenn Miller, pipes, and Adam Hill, drums. In addition, Eric Farquhar gave a poetic tribute to Wick BB hall.

Mr Sinclair was very pleased with the the success of the ceilidh and the earlier one staged by Yes Caithness, a community group which was started to promote a Yes vote in any future Scottish referendum on independence.

"These events are a great way to get people together to socialise, discuss things and listen to local artistes," he said. "Both events attracted a full house at the Nethercliffe.

"Proceeds go to the local food bank with a donation from the raffle going to the Wick Youth Club and Wick RBLS Pipe Band."

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