Saturday seen a gathering of patriots from all over Alba converge on Glasgow in aid of the St Andrew's Day Rally fundraiser held in the Woodside Halls, some die hards even came via Ireland.

The night started in dramatic form with the Glasgow Islay Junior Gaidhlig Choir with solo's, duets as well as group performances, as well as instrumentals from one of the girls on the clàrsach (harp) which was very special indeed, then to round of a fantastic display they treated us to some Highland dancing.

Then came Whiterose, Kevin Wilson's new band, who packed the place out with passion delivering patriotism through song as only Kevin does, he treated us as usual to his repertoire of songs from the Jacobite pages of our past.

Up next was the now familiar headlining act of Ted 'better than Elvis' Christopher who as always worked the crowd like putty in his hands before taking them on the now familiar journey of his medleys resulting in every person in the hall on their feet singing and dancing wrapped in the saltires stripped from the walls in a crescendo of patriotism like only he can.

The party then moved to the street for it's final few songs before it was time to go home, well my home to be precise where the night continued in the company of some patriot friends singing well into the morning, my only wish is that they would at least learn how to play those bodhrans.

Slainte mhath,
JON TONER