To introduce ourselves, or maybe let everyone know what this gig means to us, either in a poem or just words. Or maybe you have something else about the gig you want to share with us. Just send me whatever it is you want us to see and I will put it on here.
On the left are my wife Viv and I with some blokes we met at a gig in Sheffield. Decent enough guys but not the kind you would want to take home for Sunday dinner. They said they were in a band but we saw no instruments.
We have been into Runrig for about seven years and have seen them about ten times. The first time being Donnie's leaving gig at Manchester Apollo, just before the three Stirling Castle gigs.
This concert means a lot to us. It's the first time we will have seen Runrig on Scottish soil, which we have always wanted to do, and we will be taking our six year old son who takes turns in being all of the band members when we watch the videos. He has drums, guitar, microphone and even spoons and plays them in time to the songs.
This concert will also be the highlight of our holiday in Scotland which we have planned around the gig (I suspect that others have done this also.)
We would both like to congratulate the boys on a long and successful career and hope that they keep going for as long as they keep enjoying it.
DAVE (Lothlorien) AND VIV.
The last time we were at Stirling Castle was in 1997 on the Saturday night of Donnie’s leaving concerts. An emotional night because we didn’t think we would be seeing Runrig in concert again - never mind at Stirling Castle!!!
My mum and I and various other members of the family have all been going to see Runrig since June 1991 when we went to Balloch Country Park. We have been to many concerts since then but apart from Stirling in 1997 our only other outdoor gig was the Fleadh in 1993 at Glasgow Green.
I remember going to Stirling Castle a month or so before the 1997 concert to see where it would take place and we went all round about and eventually asked one of the guys who worked there where concerts were held and he said - in the car park!!!!
The queue for the last Stirling concert was good natured with a LOT of banter between the fans and the security guys - some of it not repeatable I hasten to add. The crowd were brilliant and it was a great atmosphere even though towards the end we were all a bit tearful. During the audience participation section of ‘Alba’ a somewhat sozzled guy heading for the loos remarked that it sounded like we were all at the ******* dentist!! (Was funny at the time)
FROM.....SCOTLAND
Although I found RUNRIG only eighteen months ago, their music has taken over my life. Now I simply cant imagine life without them. Their music matches my every mood, and being a woman, I have many different moods! Imagine my excitement when I actually went to two gigs late last year, Sheffield and Bristol. Meeting fellow Riggies and making new friends was a wonderful part of that exciting time but the crème de la crème was seeing RUNRIG perform. I was on a total high…. even higher than when I was in labour with my girls and was sucking on the gas and air like a fish deprived of air. Their performance was totally awesome, I danced and sang and just loved every second, and to see them twice in one week, well that was sheer heaven.
Then came the announcement that Riggies everywhere should “watch this space”! Impatient beyond belief I waited…. and waited….. and waited… We all kept wondering and asking when the big announcement would be made and when it would be. We all wanted to know when and where and oh why didn’t they make the announcement now! Well patience was getting very thin and then, after lots of rumours ……. the announcement came……. Stirling Castle on 23rd August.
FROM.....CIRENCESTER.
Then someone came in the room and said… “I have my ticket”. Stunned silence.. Then another person.. grrrrr I couldn’t take it any more, I had to try and get my golden ticket to paradise. I logged out the room and let my fingers lead me to the Ticketline telephone number. A few moments later and I was the proud owner of a ticket to see my RUNRIG and in Scotland….. ahhh what could be better than that? A couple of days later and I had a letter from Ticketline and nestling inside the envelope was a perfectly formed and beautiful ticket. Well that ticket got a few kisses I can tell you, and now its resting peacefully in the safest place in the world where no-one will find it or touch it… am I gonna tell you where I put it… haha what do you think?
All I can think of at the moment is how much longer to the gig and to seeing Scotland and RUNRIG and RUNRIG and Scotland, omg what shall I wear, how do I get up there? Have organised a nice B & B, so that’s sorted…. other Riggies staying there too so erm gonna make the B & B rock…. going to meet up with some other Riggie mates too and maybe (definitely) have a few drinks and curry…… great….. but so many plans still to make.. so much anticipation, so much fun… but its coming and I WILL be there. And so will you I hope….. heres to seeing you there and sharing our love of Runrig!!! I will be the one with the biggest smile on her face and dancing like a dervish…….
RUNRIG heres to yer 30th Anniversary long may you reign…… Slainte xxxxx
FROM...BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND.
What does this gig mean to me?
It will be the first time I've seen Runrig in Scotland. I "found"
Runrig in 1991 and missed the Loch Lomond gig. I won't be missing Stirling!
The music means the world to me. It's got me through many a rough patch such as, my divorce and my dad's death and and been the perfect accompaniment to more celebratory moments, such as passing exams and my birthday.
My Grandad was Scottish and my Mom remembers him and his brothers singing lots of Scottish songs when she was little, so I am assuming it's in my blood!
I remember singing Loch Lomond when I was little and singing it to my kids. When I first heard Runrig singing it, it was like coming home.So I am definately in the camp campaigning to keep it as an encore! The photos were taken backstage after the Wolverhampton gig May 2002 where I got my shirt signed, as you can see, and gave the boys a big hug each to say thank you for all their hard work over the years.
Bring it on!
Julie Stanton
Birmingham
England.
Fan club member and ARDlister
