Ceitlin L R Smith

What an amazing concert tonight at Mackintosh Queen's Cross as part of Celtic Connections.

Despite the treacherous  weather conditions this evening we have had a wonderful set by Mairi Smith and Friends. The delicately earthy, sublimely elemental timbre of Lewis-born Mairi Smith’s voice, and her profound understanding of the Gaelic tradition, have made her one of Scotland’s most revered singers in any language.

Tonight she explored and celebrated the close Gaelic kinship between Scotland and Ireland, in company with sisters Tríona and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, whose illustrious joint CV takes in work with Skara Brae, The Bothy Band, Relativity and Coolfin, as well as solo work and the recent supergroup T With the Maggies. On keyboards this evening we had Celtic Connections musical director Donald Shaw. Also featured were three of the younger Scottish singers that Mairi Smith continues to inspire, Brave soundtrack star Julie Fowlis, Ceitlin L R Smith and former Dàimh vocalist Calum Alex MacMillan.

Bees Nees production company were filming the concert for a special programme on BBC Alba in February.

So many great images thIs evening, but I liked this special moment of Ceitlin during her performance.

A five star performance by Mairi and her Friends.