We just got back from a week-end at the Moniaive Folk Festival, where we had a brilliant time. We had been looking forward to going to Moniaive earlier in the year as Jim was booked to support Dave Burland at The Marquee Club, however, for the first time ever, there was a problem with the big tent and the gig was concelled. Jim is going to be playing at The Guitar Festival in September but were keen to visit the 'coolest village in Scotland' and meet Hugh Taylor, one of the key organisers, before then.

We headed off on Saturday morning in heavy rain and it poured almost all the way there, however, as we approached Moniaive the skies turned from grey to blue and we arrived at the village to find people wandering around in their wellies in bright sunshine. It certainly had not been camping weather so we were lucky to have a room at The George Hotel, situated very conveniently on the main street.(Contact:Robin Edgar 01848 200203)

Robin, the owner, made us very welcome, despite being rushed off his feet in the bar where there was a music session in full swing. We got shown to our great wee room, which was very clean and comfortable and ideal for our overnight stay. We quickly got organised, had a cup of tea and headed out to find our bearings.

Our first port of call was the Open Mic being hosted by Mary Kathleen Burke of Celtic Music Radio, as Jim was keen to play a couple of his songs. It was in the hall right across the road from our hotel so when we arrived I recognised the music of our friend Nick, whom we met last year at Colonsay Festival and more recently at Melrose Music Week-end. That was a nice start to the festival as we always enjoy Nick's singing and cittern playing.

There were quite a few faces in the audience apart from Nick, including, Mary, Simon Kempston, John Malcolm and the young fiddle player from Carlisle, who played at the same gig as Jim at the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections; Liz Clark, one of the hosts of that event was in the audience.

The standard of the performers at the Open Mic was fantastic and we recognised quite a few of those performing - we enjoyed hearing Erin K. Hill, all the way from Virginia via West Kilbride, John Malcolm, whom we had seen perform at Partick Folk Club, his songs are brilliant and everyone loves the 'Sock Song'. Also enjoyed hearing Simon Kempston, lovely voice and great guitarist. In particular, I enjoyed the local lass, Darcy Carson, part of a duo with Martin Hammond on mandolin. Very enjoyable performance and a absolute natural.

Jim was one of the last performers as we late arriving and by the time he went on stage we were chilled to the bone as there was no heating in the hall. Jim raised a laugh when he announced that he was going to sing a song he had just written called "I should have brought two jumpers'. He played one of his most popular songs 'The Handle's Broken On My Cup' then followed this up with 'Beneath These Scottish Skies' a lively alt country number, which is great fun (you can listen to Jim's music on his alt country, folky blues, roots music on his myspace)/p>

Despite the cold it was a very enjoyable session and afterwards we had a blether with Mary Kathleen Burke, and couldn't help laugh at her description of her camping exploits - when she was so cold she had to get up during the night and put all her clothes on. We also had a wee chat with Erin, John Malcolm and Liz Clark - and then arranged to catch up with Mary later for some fish and chips at The Craigdarroch Hotel.

Jim and I went off to find the Festival Office and decide what events to go to - we opted to try out some workshops on Sunday and spend Saturday night at the Doghouse Roses Concert. Jim also signed up for Sunday's Open Mic, this time in The Marquee. We then had a walk through the village, admiring the pristine little cottages, well tended gardens and the very picturesque scenery.

We caught up with Mary for our fish and chips after taking in some of the festival session, which was going good-style in The Craigdarroch Lounge. She was in seventh heaven as she had been adopted by another festival goer, Tina, who had not only fed her some homemade soup but also insisted that she forsake her tent and move into Tina's camper van.

We had a great chinwag over our dinner, that girl has a book in her, and then went our separate ways as Mary was for the Dervish Concert. Jim and I bumped into Paul Tasker, of the Doghouse Roses Duo, who was able to direct us to the Hall where they were going to be playing and also told us where we could buy some coffee. Armed with our carryout of coffee and muffins we settled in for the concert beside a radiator - heaven!

We were quite early for the concert but enjoyed watching all the preparations and observing the fantastic community spirit in Moniaive. We admired the work of the locals as they set about transforming the rather functional hall and giving it some nightclub atmosphere; laying out small tables and chairs and adding plenty of candlelight. What made it more interesting were the funky get ups and great selection of hats sported by the volunteers. Doghouse Roses were on first and set a great scene with Paul's superb finger picking guitar playing and Iona's fabulous voice.

They were followed by Wing and a Prayer with more accomplished guitar music and some great bluesy songs. We then headed off to take in some of the sessions in the local hostelries before heading back to our spotless, comfy room at The George.

I think we were probably the first folk in bed in all of Moniaive and Jim was certainly one of the first to rise on Sunday, which was a beautiful sunny morning. He was out and about with his camera from around 7.30 in the morning - leaving me to enjoy a lovely hot shower and wrap up in The George's plentiful supply of fluffy, white towels.

When he returned we headed off for breakfast at The Green Tea Cafe, which plays a key role in the Festival with sessions in the garden and planned performances indoors. There is a great selection of food and instead of a bacon roll or fried egg sandwich, I opted for my first ever haggis and peach toastie, very tasty!

I was keen to track down my contact, Hugh Taylor, and thought that I was at his home when I chapped at the door of The Old Bank but I should have been at The Old Bakery. The owner of the house was next door in the Cafe's garden and shouted over 'who was I looking for?' - and I called back "Hugh". We got into a bit of confusion because he thought I was looking for him - turned out his name was Stu. However, when I jumped through the gap in the hedge and saw him I knew I had the wrong man as thanks to myspace we all know what everyone looks like these days and he did not have a white beard.:-)

Fortunately he was able to tell me that the real Hugh Taylor was now in The Green Tea Cafe. I was delighted to finally meet Hugh, who invited Jim and I to join him and his friends - everyone was in great form as the festival was going so well and into the bargain there was sunshine.

When we left Hugh and co we bumped into Paul McKenna, whom we had seen perform a few months back at Partick Folk Club, and we had a wee chat with him before we headed back through the village taking in the festival atmosphere, with music and laughter to be heard on every corner. We had a stroll through the campsite, where people were hanging out round the campfires and strolling around, carefully avoiding the more muddy areas.

We then headed for Moniaive Primary School were Jim was going to the Masterclass Guitar Workshop with Paul Tasker and Simon Kempston and I set off for a lesson on the bodhr?n from Ewan Baird, who plays with the Paul McKenna Band. There were only two other men in the percussion workshop and they were both players; it was th first time I had layed my hands on this particular instrument but I managed to keep up, after a fashion. Ewan was a great teacher and I felt I learned a lot and it was great fun.

Afterwards we had a wee chat with Simon, with whom I have friends in common, also from Dundee, and we've also been in contact recently as he is one of the performers at the West End Festival's 'Folk, Blues and Beyond' - acoustic fringe event' in June.

We had, yet another, wander around and watched the fantastic dance group 'The Applejacks' performing in the street and we chatted with other festival goers and some of the locals, including Darcy, Martin and Christian, their 'roadie'! Everyone was in great spirits and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Our final port of call at the festival was the Sunday Open Mic, this time hosted by the Doghouse Roses, so we headed for The Marquee. We met up with Mary again, and wished her Happy Birthday. She was in great form and was delighted when Tina, her rescurer, produced a birthday cake and everyone congratulated her. Congratulations were indeed in order as she gave a great performance as special guest at the Open Mic.

Paul and Iona also sang a few numbers, Jim did his stuff, this time playing 'Weather Girl', a song I inspired due to my interest in weather forecasts!!! He also played one of the songs we wrote together 'Come Dance With Me' then we settled down to watch the rest of the performers. We were delighted to see that Darcy Carson was on the bill again and we loved the performance by the three wee local girls, who added quite a different dimension to the proceedings when they sang their version of 'You're Beautiful'. Excellent! They just wowed the audience.

After the gig we headed back to The Green Tea Cafe for a bite to eat before we headed for home, calling in on the way to thank Robin for his hospitality at The George Hotel. Then we set off home for a drive home through some lovely scenery on this fine summer evening.

Leaving Moniaive we passed a lot of happy, sleepy and satiated people. I think that we were probably among the better-rested festival goers as over the week-end it was certainly a 72 hours affair. However, there was plenty of variation so no matter your bag you could enjoy yourself. I've had at least one email from The Moniaive Rehabilitation Centre but one thing for sure everyone will be up and ready for the next festival.

We're already looking forward to the Guitar Festival in September.

Pat Byrne, May, 2009

www.moniaivefolkfestival.co.uk