Home » Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene » Mary Irvine’s latest blog: A Loch Cruise and a Literary Interlude

Mary Irvine’s latest blog: A Loch Cruise and a Literary Interlude

The Yearly Loch Cruise

It was certainly a different Loch Cruise from last year. Same boat – the Astina⃰, same organisers – Ian Baillie of the Lennox Literary Society and the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs⃰, the same musical group – L for Leather⃰ and the same people mostly. A full complement!

So how was it different? In short, the Scottish weather! It was freezing as we waited to board and the rain lashed down as we circumnavigated the Loch – the same route. Last year the sun had shone gloriously. Evelyn and I had sat ‘upstairs, (top deck?) at the front –the pointy end. This year we made sure we got seats on the ground floor (the lower deck?) where it soon warmed up with the press of bodies and the flowing alcohol – not my good self as I no longer imbibe, a long story with which I wouldn’t dream of boring you – not for the nonce, anyway. Late-comers braved the open air but slowly descended to the lower realm, preferring to stand rather than take in the invigorating Scottish air (and driving rain).

Also different for us was that this year we got to hear the group. Being on top last year we missed both their playing and the performance of local poet, Ann MacKinnon. I love live music and this band were good musicians with an eclectic programme. So I saw it as a different cruise, enjoying the ‘dreich-ness’ which gave the Loch an eerie atmosphere, reflecting how places change according to the weather, time of day, different seasons and even the mood of the observer.

1. sweeneyscruises.com
2. lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk

www.youghalonline.com

A Literary Interlude

The week previous I’d attended another Ian Baillie event. This time at the Alexandria Library. As Ian explained it was a new experience for him as, rather than just introducing the speaker, this time he was going to interview the guest. The guest was Denzil Meyrick, from Gartocharn, a relatively new author who has, however, two crime novels already published and one in the pipeline. A perfect example of ‘write what you know’. He’s an ex-Glasgow copper. The second is available on Kindle for 0.99p.

Considering the alternative attraction of Jim Sillars referendum appearance in Dumbarton on the same night the event did well to attract an audience of some thirty people. The evening flowed well and was entertaining. Of especial interest was Mr Meyrick’s warning about signing contracts in the flush of excitement of publication. Slow down and read the small print!

By the way, Ian, Well done! A new career in the offing?…

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