Many years ago we were asked what we would do if we won the lottery. The response was immediate and unanimous, we would keep on touring and recording until the money ran out. That is true dedication for you, and it is that attitude, and a little bit more, that has kept us on the road for 27 years and 13 (15 if you count compilations) albums.

It gives us a great sense of achievement to be able to write that many of you who are reading this have actually been looking forward to the appearance of this new album, and we hope that not only will you have great pleasure listening to it, but that we have a few pleasant little surprises for you this time around.

For those of you interested in Tannahill Trivia, this is the first time in our history that we have recorded three albums in a row with the same band members. What that tells us we’re not sure but you’d think it would tell us something, wouldn’t you? We have a veritable mine full of equally useless information but don’t worry, we’ll save it for another time.

We recorded this album on the banks of the "Silvery Tay" in Scotland, and we would like to thank mine hosts, Dave and Ann, from the local hostale… hostelar… historal… hatstyle… hotstew…… pub for the conviviality. As luck would have it this establishment was celebrating its 100^th birthday while we were recording, and to celebrate this they had decided to charge the same price for beers, ales, and excisable liquors as had been charged on the opening day 100 years previously. You can well imagine our joy. However, as we sat there sipping our "cold ones" we could not help but notice a dozen or so men standing silently behind us staring avariciously at our foaming libations. It was almost sinister. The barman, sensing our disquiet, said "Don’t worry, lads, its only the locals. They’ll be waiting for happy hour."

Slainte;
Tannahill Weavers

The Tannahill Weavers:
Roy Gullane – vocals, guitar
John Martin – vocals, fiddle, viola, cello, cittern
Duncan J. Nicholson – highland bagpipes, Scottish small pipes, Uilleann pipes, whistles
Phil Smillie – vocals, flute, whistles, bodhrán
Les Wilson – vocals, bouzouki, guitar, keyboards

This album was recorded in May and June 2000, at Hedera Studios in Tayport, Scotland, and in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mixed and mastered at Jack’s Hoose Studios, Radio Tay, in Dundee. Mix and master engineered by Ged Grimes. Bass and percussion by Ged Grimes. Produced by the Tannahill Weavers. Sleeve notes compiled and edited by Maggie Smillie. Sleeve art by Luca Tarlazzi. Produced by the Tannahill Weavers.

Thanks, as ever, to Herschel and Sarah Freeman and family, to Maggie, Rosie, Celia and Harmke for love and support, to John Groat ("Sailor John") for source material, to Alan Henderson for assistance in tracking down names of tunes, to Jack Evans for borrowed equipment, to all the neighbors at Nelson Street for their kind consideration during the recording of this album, and a special mention to Ged Grimes for fitting us into his schedule at such late notice.

We also would like to express our appreciation to Celtica Magazine, Edizioni 3ntini&C., for the assistance with sleeve art, and in particular to Stefano Trentini, Luca Tarlazzi, and Marco Bersani.