Boys of the Lough

The Boys of the Lough are one of the longest-surviving Celtic bands.

Since the 1960s the Forest Hill Bar in Edinburgh has been a centre for folk singers and instrumentalists. Now called "Sandy Bell's" it wa

The Boys of the Lough are one of the longest-surviving Celtic bands.

Since the 1960s the Forest Hill Bar in Edinburgh has been a centre for folk singers and instrumentalists. Now called "Sandy Bell's" it was where fiddler Aly Bain played along with guitarist Mike Whelans and singer Dick Gaughan in sessions. Aly Bain was from the Shetland Islands, and an acknowledged master of the Shetland style of playing. Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, Cathal McConnell was a championship winner. He was from a family of flute players in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. Cathal's musical collaborators were Tommy Gunn and Robin Morton. The two halves met at Falkirk folk festival in Scotland, and formed The Boys of the Lough.