Dependence Day - or Night.

Oh, the waves crash in and the tide pulls out
It's an angry sea, but there is no doubt
That the lighthouse will keep shining out
To warn the lonely sailor
(Dougie MacLean)

Tonight I sang this song at Rubha Reidh Lighthouse in Melvaig, which is owned by Fran and Chris, and run as an outdoor centre/B&B. I was entertaining a group of Dutch walkers, and also holiday makers from Scotland, France, Sweden & England. I always enjoy these nights, which give me a chance to meet new people, and to pass on my love of Scottish music - ancient & modern, Scots & Gaelic, funny & sad. It never ceases to amaze me that all these people of different cultures are so interested in Scotland and what we have to offer the world. Sometimes alcolhol is consumed at the same time; 'ceilidh' in every sense of the word.
Dependence Day has been on my mind all day, and it came to me tonight whilst singing "Ready for the Storm" by the great Dougie MacLean, that Dependence was all around me.
The folks on holiday depend on Fran & Chris to safely guide them on their mountain walks, and to have a great meal & wonderful hospitality at the end of it.
Fran & Chris depend on the holiday makers for a living.
They also depend on me, turning up to entertain & inform.
I depend on these gigs to keep the wolf from the door, and to pay for a new camera (more of this another time - suffice to say that I have knackered my camera, in true blip tradition......)
The whole area depends on tourism, and without it, there wouldn't be any B&Bs and hotels, whose owners send their kids to the school, which has to employ a music teacher.....
.......... and, finally, the lighthouse. Sailors still depend on its light to guide them safely away from us and our tourist friends, sleeping safely in our cozy beds in Melvaig, and in Rubha Reidh.

Goodnight all.