Exclusive floating hotel, Fingal, to host special Skerryvore livestream

Skerryvore, the multi-award-winning Scottish band, have announced a special livestream show to be broadcast from Edinburgh’s exclusive floating hotel, Fingal on Saturday 24 April 2021 – and tickets go on sale at 9am today, Friday 2 April.

Skerryvore Onboard will see the eight-piece act come to viewers around the world from the luxurious ballroom of the former Northern Lighthouse Board ship, now docked in the historic Port of Leith, with a night of entertainment that is sure to float fans’ boat.

The prestigious vessel will see the band perform much-loved songs from their extensive back catalogue, including their newest single ‘You & I’, which recently enjoyed six weeks on the BBC Radio 2 playlist.

Skerryvore Onboard will be the band’s third livestream in the last 12 months as they find new ways to come to fans worldwide while touring is on hold – and the concept is proving popular, with 7000 people from 21 countries tuning into their New Year’s Day Live concert.

This latest show is set to take place in a truly unforgettable setting which, like the band, has strong connections to the west coast of Scotland.

Fingal – whose name is thought to pay homage to the King of the Morven (Argyll) from 3rd century Caledonia – was stationed in Oban for 30 years. Now operated by The Royal Yacht Britannia, she has undergone a £5m conversion and opened as a hotel like no other in 2019.

As part of the evening’s entertainment, the band will take viewers on a tour of Fingal’s sister Yacht, The Royal Yacht Britannia, which has been admired by many in the Netflix series The Crown. The tour will follow in the footsteps of the Royal Family and take in the spectacular

State Drawing Room, where band member Alan Scobie will take to the Yachts original Welmar Baby Grand piano, once played by Sir Noël Coward, The Rat Pack and Princess Diana.

Audiences will also be able to enjoy interviews with the band live from Fingal’s Skerryvore Suite – the most lavish cabin on board – and have the chance to win an overnight stay in that very cabin.

The concert will be available to watch live, with fans able to comment along as the show is happening to share messages and shout outs to friends and family also watching from the comfort of their home.

With no fixed cost per view, fans are invited to ‘pay what you want’ for their ticket and will also have access to exclusive merchandise and content.

Daniel Gillespie, Skerryvore founding member and managing director, said: “We’re really looking forward to treating everyone to a truly unique livestream from the stunning Skerryvore Suite of Fingal in Edinburgh’s Port of Leith. The ship makes for a spectacular venue and we feel incredibly honoured to be able to play to fans around the world from this special place.

“The last year hasn’t exactly been plain sailing and we continue to miss touring and visiting our fan’s hometowns, but we have been thrilled to see how many people are enjoying seeing us via livestream and we hope this latest offering ups the ante for fans yet again. 2021 started with a bang for us when we entered the BBC Radio 2 playlist for 6 weeks in a row so we hope this will also be a chance for the thousands of people who have discovered the band in recent months to get a taste of that unique live Skerryvore experience.”

Andrew Thomson, Head of Fingal, said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with Skerryvore for this very special livestream. Not only did Fingal service Skerryvore Lighthouse in her Northern Lighthouse Board days but our most luxurious suite is named after this iconic lighthouse – the tallest in Scotland! It’s the perfect collaboration and what a way to build up to our re-opening.”

Skerryvore was formed by brothers Daniel Gillespie (accordion) and Martin Gillespie (pipes, whistles and accordion) from Tiree alongside Livingston based musicians Fraser West (drums) and Alec Dalglish (guitar and vocals). The line-up now also includes Craig Espie (fiddle) and Jodie Bremaneson (bass), Scott Wood (pipes and whistles) and Alan Scobie (keyboards).

Together they mix Scottish folk music with pop, rock and Americana influences to create their own high-energy brand of contemporary Scottish traditional music that has seen them twice awarded Scotland’s Live Act of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards.

Over the last 15 years the band has performed in more than 25 countries worldwide including across the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Australia.

Tickets for Skerryvore Onboard are available to buy at 9am on Friday, 2 April from https://skerryvore.com/onboard.