One of the surprises of living down here is that you never know quite what's going to turn up on the entertainment scene. A far cry from booking Fleetwood Mack 6 months in advance and just knowing you'll be watching it in a concrete arena with the band tiny specks in the far distance.
Anyway, an e-mail from Crear reminded us that the following week there would be a string quartet playing at their  wonderful venue at Kilberry. So as usual we got together a picnic and trundled off on the hour's journey on single track roads to our little spot overlooking Gigha and Jura. Nicely sustained, we arrived at the venue for the most marvellous concert by the Gringolts Quartet. What a treat. A wonderful crowd of people sitting around tables listening to outstanding music with a brilliant view in the background. AND tea and buns at the interval!
Sadly the Crear Concerts are being discontinued, but no doubt something equally surprising will take their place.
And so to Carradale's treat last Saturday. Word got around that Lachie and Sheila were doing their 'herring thing' again. Fortunately we got a ticket as, arriving at our usual last minute, we found the hall packed to the gunwales (appropriate phrase). The presentation is the most unusual and fascinating mix of slides and video of the old herring fleet days interspersed with poetry, readings and music. Chris Stout, Carradale's favourite fiddler, just happened to be staying in the village so better and better. Tatties and herring were somehow doled out to everyone in the interval - a real loaves and fishes effort - and it wasn't until 11.30 that the show finished. A few stalwarts stayed on for music and dance afterwards.
So the moral of all this is that if you are staying in the village and see some event advertised , then don't miss it. It will probably be unexpected and very good, and you'll be made incredibly welcome.