Skye Boat Song - WOW! What a performance! With Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra & Doon Valley Brass

The grand finale of the Two's Company Concert at Ayr Town Hall on Saturday 7th November 2015, featuring the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, Doon Valley Brass and Heathfield and Glenburn Primary School Choirs. Amazing!

[@KAJAMAJA122]

In among the madness of the world in 2024 it’s reassuring to hear such beauty is still being recreated and replayed over the years . Thank you everyone .

[@jerryjewett1790]

Aye, there's glory here. As a quarter Ferguson, this touches me deeply.

[@NZKiwiRic]

Truly said.

[@slsrennerful]

Stewart of Appin here, I love this song and this version 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 💙

[@lindaparks5329]

I am a McIntyre of Scottish descent. Every time I hear this song I feel my spirit soaring above the Highlands. I wish I was there now with my grandfather, Thomas McIntyre. Long live the beautiful Sots

[@Mrdougmcintyre]

My father and grandfather were both Thomas McIntyre of Ayr. We are a small clan. Best wishes ahead.

[@jsemplefelton5348]

It's in the blood.

[@nihilmiror6312]

…and the Bonny Prince. 👍🇫🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@neilmackay9307]

Tears streaming down my cheeks. My dear wife died in April 2021 but about 80 years before that she was in the school choir at Heathfield School and had so many happy memories from those days. I conducted choirs and instrumental groups for over 40 years and appreciate just how good this performance is and I'm sure that my wife is listening to this from up there, somewhere, and maybe shedding a tear too. Thank you all so very much.

[@tracehiliffe761]

@neilmackay 😢🙏👍💖

[@ruthwolson4350]

Aaw​@@tracehiliffe761

[@irenedavo3768]

❤

[@irenedavo3768]

Watching Christmas Day 2023

[@margaretwinson402]

Your wife sounds like a very special person. Best wishes from Melbourne, Australia.

[@trishalivingston1051]

Music teachers create miracles. This is beautiful. Kudos to the students and the teachers.

[@glennmeek2718]

The children are absolutely adorable and did a beautiful rendition of The Skye Boat song.

[@psycharol]

I English, I know I don't belong there but I spend many months walking the highlands and you can belong even if you don't belong This song, the kids, and the orchestra are wonderful and the song is as historical as the country

[@storrienorrie7147]

The culture will survive if you keep making sure it does against all the odds

[@patriciasmith7074]

I’m an American and I love this. My children all did music and played in orchestras and bands and I love this song. I am of English and Irish blood and I love the old country where my ancestors came from. This brings tears to my eyes. This is much appreciated children and teachers.

[@annfrye5716]

I am Irish, German and English by descent but my heart is with Scotland ❤

[@nigelmaclean5080]

Aaah! The pipes are calling! Bring back spirit, bring back the humanities!!

[@patriciasmith7074]

We took a 3 week trip to see all of the British Isles, I got to eat in a BritishPub, The Red Lion and I had fish and Chips upstairs, I got to eat Irish Stew in Ireland and I got to go to The Brandenburg Festival and my daughter bought us transportation up the long mile because I was going home to have my second knee surgical replacement, and no way could I walk uphill a mile. I had pain pills but I didn’t want to be sleepy so I didn’t take them. I was in agony all the time but I still loved it. She got us tickets to set in the covered seats with the Commandant and to attend the cocktail reception afterwards, we didn’t drink and nobody talked to us but at least we were close to the military men. We got to see all of the military bands from all over the world who were sent to perform and of course the wonderful Bagpipes! It was the highlight of my life to experience everything I did. What I couldn’t get over was when we went through areas where the farms were I was amazed that the grass was so thick and green and the livestock were laying down and taking naps. Here in the Midwest in America they almost always have their heads down grazing, I think your grass is more nutritious and they get satisfied faster. When we have our really hot summer days when it can get in the 100’s then they are trying to raise Black Angus, if there is a pond then the cattle will be in the water trying to cool down here, this was August when we went to tour the British Isles it was warm but not stifling hot like it can get like here. I don’t like hot I just naturally prefer a cooler climate like yours. It was the best vacation I ever took in my whole life.

[@armandokatito6732]

I'm so proud... Tears streaming down... What amazing.

[@Eric-jo8uh]

Songs like this famous one should never ever be forgotten.

[@mssdn8976]

My late Dad used to sing this to me, always brings tears to my eyes. Thank you

[@naliniismail4260]

I remember loving this song, we sang it in school, " English Singing" class in Sri Lanka. Still moves my heart, 70 years on !!

[@colinjohn2708]

If they would teach our children in school these old and beautifully melodics songs we might actually start hearing modern music that actually has melody. Colin John Aussie

[@1tonyboat]

I can remember this being played over the radio at school in our music lessons . This would have been about 1960 ish and never forgot the words ...

[@lynlazoryzak7321]

I totally agree beautiful song

[@stevenedwards4242]

Good to hear an old Scottish song with an Ayrshire choir

[@miriamkellner1112]

My great great grandmother came from ayreshire. She must have sounded like these lovely children. I sang this to my children, grandchildren and my great grandchildren. From generation to generation

[@conniesteeves1637]

This band should be so proud of their musical abilities and of the wonderful director. You are so very fortunate to have such a music program. I live in Eastern Canada and enjoy your music so much. We are fortunate to have music in our schools, no bagpipes!

[@marioncampbell2156]

The hairs on my arms stood up and I thought my heart would burst with pride.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👏👏👏

[@valeriewalker9438]

I am English/Scottish and this was wonderful. I hope to come back home next for good.

[@michaeldaruwalla8717]

Post retirement, and I heard this song which my mother used to sing to get me to sleep. Brings back many precious childhood memories. Thanks

[@1tonyboat]

A perfect performance .. I had tears rolling down my face as soon as the bagpipes started playing ..I can remember having to sing to this song back in the early 60`s as our music teacher was from Scotland (i`m half scottish and Suffolk ). Dad was from Glasgow and he would play it on his harmonica ..........👌👌

[@katewebber1131]

Agree on older lady now but we all sang these songs at school. Loved so many of the songs.😊😊😊

[@greghutchison9915]

Hi guys I love that song. I think my Hutchison ancestors may have come from Skye. I am a descendant of John Craig who was born in Dalrymple, (a small village south of Ayr), Scotland in 1856. His future wife Mary Dunckel was born in Sawadden, East Prussia in 1864. They were married at Hobart in 1884. John died in 1933 and Mary in 1934. They lived all their remaining years on Bruny Island, at Adventure Bay. Mary’s sister Augusta married Lars Hansson and lived on Bruny Island. Mary’s other sister, Agnes married Ned Dillon and also lived on Bruny Island. My grandma was child number 9 of the Craigs. They had 16/17 children. She married an Oliphant who came out from Scotland to parts of Australia in the late 1800s. Amazing how you can get a group of so many young kids to sing the Skye boat song.

[@williamdonnelly723]

Lovely.Wee Jacobites in Ayr.

[@alisonsmit2903]

I as a South African learned this song in primary school....thanks for the memory

[@LesleyStuart-lp2yz]

I don't know when I learnt it, but also long ago - and am also SAfrican 🎤

[@tvoommen4688]

I have not visited Scotland, still this music brings me to my mind images of highlands of Scotland, bagpipes and ballads of Sir Walter Scott I learned at English literature classes...... Love from India.

[@truebluebrit7632]

Spectacular, enchanting - this is where all the good music has gone - may it last forever

[@shoshanaudelson4481]

My family (US citizens, military) lived in Ayr in the 1950's. I love bagpipes, and this song still moves me!

[@davidwright8432]

Ah, memory labyrinth! I was in (what's now) Primary 3 when Miss Grigor taught us this, at James Gillespie's Boys School, Edinburgh - in 1949! Still one of the most haunting tunes, and songs, ever.

[@catherinegillard959]

My brother Bruce was at James Gillespies .He would have been9 years old then I Wonder if he remembers learning The Skye Boat Song?

[@alanjones4030]

i HAVE BEEN TO THEiSLAND OF SKYE MANY TIMES BEAUTIFUL

[@margaretleinster5129]

So have i truly an enchanting island out of this world

[@stevewaters449]

So glad I've come across this lovely performance. So many musicians together, there's nothing like it. 🎼🎵🎶 👏❤️👏❤️👏

[@cavhutch]

Orchestra had a great feeling for the movement of the boat up and down over the water,, and it was so lovely to hear the childrens beautiful singing. I was in the boat woth Bonnie Prince Charlie although a Sassenach👍🤗😊

[@kirnpu]

Our music teacher in San Diego introduced us to this song when I was 8 (1963). I've never ever forgotten its lilting tune. My mother was from clan MacDougall.

[@sharonterao9613]

Such a beautiful song and powerful

[@margmckay3257]

I learned this beautiful song at school many years before I knew the history behind it. My heart swells when I hear it now . I live just across the sea in County Antrim, N. Ireland and sure we are neighbours👏⭐️🫶😊🧤😊

[@SuperdooperScrooge]

As a direct descendant of Flora MacDonald, you send shivers down my spine! May you all enjoy your lives! 🥰😍🤩

[@say6607]

i'm a hong kong chinese of 75 and in my primary school years i had a music teacher, also a hong kong chinese, newly graduated from the royal school of music, taught us a lot of traditional british songs and the skye boat song being one of those, i remember.

[@annecollins1043]

Scottish song.

[@donaldwingent547]

My favourite song , this performance is outstanding, if you cannot see the waves or hear the beat of the oarsmen as Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald Flee to safety then I will not share with you my bottle of Drambuie.

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

Well, fill up m' glass then! I already wrote about the cadences... beeeeaaaauuutiful! 🥳

[@lizzy-folksongsscottis4518]

Magic descriptive comment Love it!

[@airenesmiler6624]

This was lovely, thank you. Missing my mum today.

[@deerinheadlights100]

Beautiful. The slow 'dragging' pace wast like the rolling of waves nd the wide open skies. Lovely. The children's voices were perfect.

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

Yes, I sensed that too... so sweet...almost like being back in Bangor - co Down, NI looking over the sea to "skye" - that is, Scotland... :)

[@angelapreston8919]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

[@lespeacock591]

OMG - does anyone else out there end up in pieces when watching this ? Adorable 🥲

[@LesleyStuart-lp2yz]

sobbing when the pipes started

[@belladonnatook8851]

I can never hear this song without a full heart & tears welling in my eyes. ❤

[@ietfakkeldij5474]

Geweldig, ik heb genoten, heb het opgeslagen en ga zeker nog een keer genieten

[@enawilson3210]

You can't beat the swirls off the bagpipes .touch the very soul and hearts ❤❤❤❤❤

[@elizabethmcdonald7027]

This was my Mother's favourite song, l still want to go there, as that's where my grandfather and great grandparents came from...Portree. ❤ Thank you that was beautiful. 😊 👏

[@patriciasmith7074]

I am 77 and my people came from England and Ireland and I love all of the whole of the country. I did get to spend 3 weeks there on vacation and I loved every minute. My ancestors wanted to marry who their family considered the wrong religion so both sets immigrated to America to get away from family and marry who they wanted to. Over the years things are less hostile. We all seem to get along fine and appreciate our past and history.

[@denisefeldmann8537]

This was also my Mother’s favourite song. She was born in Montreal, Canada of Scottish parents and my Dad was born in Balfron, county Stirling in Scotland. A beautiful piece of music which holds dear memories for me.

[@lizellbyleveld5976]

Beautiful..from South Africa..Thanks

[@LesleyStuart-lp2yz]

me too

[@Mercury88-b7k]

How proud am I. Our youngsters are carrying us forward. ❤

[@wendykettlewell4628]

I love this - as an 'exiled' Scot living in beautiful Wales, I found this very moving. Beautiful.

[@kathleenryan3359]

Beautiful. I'm over the sea now to Skye.

[@plasticbucket]

This used be compulsory in Southern Ireland schools 60 years ago.

[@pieteri.duplessis]

Delightfully beautiful. Yes, mankind say we are advancing, are we, when this type of singing seem to die out?

[@philgoulding2193]

The Lettermen (harmony trio) brought me here, it was added to my mix....... I'm certain the Lettermen would love this, they love anything classy, and this is certainly in that category! Beautiful!!

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

HYPNOTIC! There's an "under" cadence which reminds of being in a rowboat coasting along a calm shore, a gentle back and forth rocking, so relaxing...and the performance, instrumental and vocal is just superb and evocative. Well done, Ayrshire! :)

[@clarewitcomb6918]

Is this the Red Lodge McNamara? I loved this concert. I also sang in choirs in grade school, high school and also at Washington University. 🧕🏼❤️🌻❤️

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

@@clarewitcomb6918 No, but I do compose and hubs was a great singer and actor...so I'm choosy when it comes to music...this just did it for me!! Gorgeous! I was in WA...did you pursue a career in singing?

[@pastorjimbob]

Wonderful to see all these young people so talented

[@Laroc57]

I imagine it was quite a feat to get all this together and the result is lovely. I hope the experience stays with the children

[@adelekevanmurerai7360]

Great Performance!....much appreciated by an Scots expat, living in Italy👏 🎶💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💙🎶

[@Anastajia2005]

One here living in California.

[@gretajandrews4105]

So heart warming for us wvith scottish roots

[@charmianjohnson2364]

Absolutely loved it. From a Welsh woman living in Perth Western Australia.

[@ihforsyth]

Well done , my cousin Alastair Fraser plays in the Fiddle orchestra .

[@chutsaichou5911]

I love this song!

[@erika7674]

I found this very very moving, and I'm not even Scottish nor do I have a particular love of the bagpipes! Bravo everyone!

[@Robescocia]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@missmerrily4830]

A traditional Gaelic folk song, from 1782 orginally called Cuachag nan Craobh (Cuckoo of the Tree). Alternative lyrics were composed circa 1885 by an Englishman. Yet more were written by Robert Louis Stevenson, but it is the 1885 lyrics which are now traditionally sung to the Skye boat tune. The song commemorates a famous event which is said to have occurred when Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped his defeat at the Jacobite Rebellion, in a small boat, disguised as a serving maid, to the isle of Skye. He was assisted in his escape by Flora McDonald, the 'Flora who watched by his head' in the song. Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing. Onward, the sailors cry! Carry the lad that’s born to be King Over the sea to Skye. Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunderclaps rend the air. Baffled our foes stand on the shore. Follow they will not dare. Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing. Onward, the sailors cry! Carry the lad that’s born to be King Over the sea to Skye. Many's the lad fought on that day Well the claymore did wield, When the night came, silently lay Dead on Culloden’s field. Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing. Onward, the sailors cry! Carry the lad that’s born to be King Over the sea to Skye. Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep, Ocean's a royal bed. Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep Watch by your weary head Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing. Onward, the sailors cry Carry the lad that’s born to be King Over the sea to Skye.

[@charlotteerasmus8127]

Thanks for explaining the story..and giving the lyrics,... very much appreciated..🎶🎤🎹❤

[@muchty62]

Thank you for supplying all the verses. I sung this in the school choir around 70 years ago and had forgotten parts of the song but all came back as soon as I saw your comment.

[@lindastrang8703]

We learned this song in Elementary school in the '50s in Victoria, BC Canada. I have loved it since. :) thanks for the info ❤

[@carolcasey5441]

❤❤❤

[@quaich14]

Beautiful, heartwarming. I hope all these children have grown s safe and full of hope and courage. Kudos to all

[@tikkasako6.5]

Tears dripping.....the wee ones won't appreciate the deep sadness of this song of Scots independence from the English. We sang it as kids in Caithness in the 1950's, and I hope those bairns will enjoy Scots independence once again.....

[@Anastajia2005]

My Father-in-law was from there, the family owned a lot of land up there. Went up there to meet the family in 1959, my first introduction to farm life. will never forget it, got chased by geese, then got chased by an irate highland cattle Mama whose calf they took away from her (it was sick) last but not least got caught in a swarm of bees returning to the hive, they were all over me, crawling in my hair and the old cousin was blowing smoke from his clay pipe into my hair. My husband to be got stung on the mouth numerous times, the old cousin stuck mad him put his face under a freezing cold water tap. Lovely trip and I don't think. To crown it all, on our way back to Glasgow in the pouting rain the motor cycle broke down several times on the Glencoe Road. Funny now, but not at the time.

[@jennyb7745]

Don't be such a wet blanket,you just move it along to when they start singing.Lovley children & lovely Scots song

[@stevephillips7884]

Glad to know all those things, why the music is so good.

[@RuthTaylor-gu3vt]

My husband used to sing this to each of our eight children when they were tiny babies.

[@wendycrawford1792]

Dear Ruth. Your husband must be very special❤️

[@edemontfort9482]

Oh yes, beautiful lyrics and the theme of Outlander, the song both sweet and heartbreaking. Dreams that were dashed and so many lost at Culloden. Well done, children.

[@roseford3483]

Thank you for keeping the U.S. sane 10/2024 - I intend to listen to music on November 5th and try not to freak concerning the impossible possibility of murderers and cronies of the U.S.Supreme Court’s doing.

[@nancyjanzen5676]

I make a habit of ditching the news and listening to Polish music during November and December.

[@gabymillar9347]

Makes me homesick!😢🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@keithmitchell3282]

the little people were fantastic , and the orchestra were ok also , lovely

[@ginawiggles918]

Years ago, before the bridge was built I did a sunrise crossing on a bonny boat "o'er the sea to Skye." When I hear this song I think of that beautiful morning as the sun was just peeking out through gray clouds.

[@shielaellison8943]

Beautiful thank you. You did Bonnie Prince Charles a great honour ❤

[@robertmiles5002]

Absolutely wonderful. Bravo!

[@frankkelleher1888]

We were taught this in primary school in Ireland 🇮🇪 beautiful song 🎵

[@brummie0007]

That was such a beatiful performance, my Mum sang this tune to me when I was a nipper and we are Brummie's, so sweet :)

[@leecarlson9713]

Absolutely lovely! My ancestral roots are in the UK-England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. But Scotland holds my heart!😊

[@tomayrscotland6890]

Just great to watch, I passed by the town hall the time the fiddle orchestra was playing.

[@pmajudge]

BEAUTIFUL INDEED!!! FROM, U.K. (2023).

[@suzyharthcock7913]

Asa MacLeod of Mac Leod this song echoes in my heart always…Like a bird on the wing, over the sea to Skye.🤍🕊️🪬🙏🏻😘

[@ThePlataf]

Great grandma was from Skye...i must get there some day...

[@margaretleinster5129]

You should and you will love it a truly enchanting Island

[@jamescorlett5272]

Charles Edward Stuart would have loved this - I can picture dear Charlie's tears as he listened - Thanks

[@fionamckinnon1167]

This is special to me was played at my brothers funeral so Thankyou

[@ducatiman1309]

Well done you lot !!! Great to hear your voices !!!!XX

[@marykilgarriff3550]

Beautiful. ❤from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@lailaansari7293]

God bless you all, from Canada, how I miss Doune and the Highlands ❤🤗

[@marieobrien6881]

Wonderful very moving well done

[@louiseclark7967]

American MacAllister here of Scottish Acadian descent. This song speaks to my soul. Just love it, even though it's a bit of a sad song.

[@jenniferwatson7769]

Those children were incredible 👏

[@hanswinstam6312]

This is so god to hear a great tune and and all those tallanted kids play and sing makes your heart warm

[@LadyT100]

One of my favorite songs!!! Excellent job everyone...I found it very moving. Thank you!

[@antm64]

Such a wonderful video! Thank you for posting...much appreciated!

[@RegCleeton]

Wonderful just wonderful ! Thank you from one eighties year old BRIT

[@tessariles4488]

Thank you!

[@johnkerr1953]

I really enjoyed this music and song, its one of my favourite songs, l say well done to all who took part in this choir.

[@michaelfrost4584]

As an Australian, listening to this makes me soo proud of my Scottish heritage 😊😊😊😊

[@russnixon6020]

My Scots ancestors are MacKinnons of Skye!.This music resonates in my DNA.

[@CINTHYACHARLES-l3w]

Fantastic ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@robertdileo3269]

one of my favorite songs

[@hazeluzzell]

Beautiful singing from the children. I could hear every word.

[@huwking-jones4957]

My mother’s McInnes forebears came from Heaste/Harripool in Sleat on the Isle of Skye wonder how many boats they used other than the one the song was about 😊

[@Alice-lw9mg]

I am not of Scottish decent , but my goodness this so beautiful and very moving. Glad I came across this by chance.

[@Norlin-ng5vb]

Very nostalgic for me.I learnt this song in school.Tqvm

[@markherron1407]

I love the Mantovani version! Blessings and hugs!