Photos and info on the Far-East tour 2005 can be viewed on the Far-East page.
We were a little closer to home for the 'Burns Supper tour' in January 2005. We were kindly invited to perform at the Institute of Bankers in Scotland's Burns Supper, held in the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane. We played along with the Gary Blair Ceilidh Band and the Epping Forrest Pipe Band and great fun was had all round. With over a thousand guests, it was hard to take in everybody in the space of the evening, but we did manage to make a lot of new friends and even meet an existing one from Singapore (Thanks for your good company Wayne)! Our thanks go to Scott Bannister and all his team for arranging our visit and looking after us during our stay.
Once again we are indebted to the Singapore St Andrew's Society for inviting us to return to the Far East to perform at their Burns Supper held in the Tanglin Club's 'Churchill Room'. We were pleased to renew old acquaintances and make many new friends at this function, and thank all for their kind hospitality and friendship towards us during the evening (and into the early hours of the morning in the 'Tavern' next door!). Our special thanks again to our 'Far East Agent' - Hazel Halliday - for arranging our tour, and still managing to find time to be the Society Chieftain! Well done Hazel! A hearty thanks to our hosts - Frank and Linda Boyland, and John and Pam Horsburgh - for welcoming us into their homes without fear of consequences (eating and drinking them out of house and home!) and making us one of the family. Our grateful thanks.
We also played at 'The Sportsman's Burns Supper' at the Fort Canning Centre - a historic building set in it's own grounds in Canning Park. A sumptuous meal was followed by some fine tunes provided by the lads and lassies of the 'Merlion Pipe Band'. The evening was arranged by Harry and Sharon Martin of the 'Sportsman's Bar', who we would also like to thank for their generous hospitality during our stay.
Thanks too, to British Airways / Quantas for flying us out and back - and for the copious Gin and Tonics' up the back of the 'plane!
For photos and more info, have a look at the Singapore - 2002 to 2004 page.
One of the few opportunities normally experienced during a Scottish summer to remind ourselves in Scotland what the sun and a blue sky actually looks like! Have a look at the photos of the beautiful Island of Jura
The Texas Tour in February 2002 was a wonderful experience from start to finish! We wish to thank Professor Howard 'Shuggy' Hudiburg for his imaginative and authentic itinerary that gave us a genuine insight into the real Texas. We were able to form a lasting bond between our own home district and the area around the City of Seguin, which is similar in size and population to Inverclyde (Only slightly warmer and drier!). The folk and country music of Texas, and the USA in general, was heavily influenced by the music of the early settlers from Europe who by and large left Scotland and Ireland through our own Port of Greenock. This fact alone is a historical bond between our towns and citizens. We were privileged to further secure this bond by presenting our Provost's Inverclyde Plaque to Jerry Supple - the President of the Southwest Texas University - at the concert in San Marcos.
For more details and photos, check out the The Wherries - Texas Tour page.
We wish to thank the St. Andrews Society of Singapore, and all of our hosts for the wonderful reception and hospitality we received during our visit in January 2002. Their warmth, friendship and assistance with every aspect of our tour was very much appreciated. Special thanks to Hazel Halliday - our 'Far East agent'!
Apart from the Society's Burns Supper in the Tanglin Club, we managed to squeeze in a couple of other 'gigs', and a few impromptu 'sessions' - with and without guitars! Our visit was all too short, and we hope we may return some day to continue where we left off......
Check the bottom of the Singapore - 2002 to 2004 page for photos.