This session attracts some of Scotland's premier musicians. On a Wednesday and Sunday night, musicians from all over the country converge on the ben nevis. Anyone can join in, although many people prefer to just stand and watch and listen and take in some of the fine malt whiskies available.
Musicians from bands such as The Old Blind Dogs and Croft No. Five, Capercaillie and The Emily Smith Band regularly play here along with loads of young musicians from the Scottish Academy of Music and Dance and other courses.
I listened into this session on wednesday 18th.
Some excellent young musicians, 3 fiddles, mandolin,box,flute and border pipes.
The music was difficult to hear as the background noise was loud - maybe the time of year. But well worth a visit.
The session was very tight and the standard was high. Excellent piper - but then I'm biased.
Went to the Ben Nevis Jan 2006. I think it was the first night back after the New Year so the crowd was very noisy. The music was excellent but way too fast for me to join in with. I could hardly hear most of it though because people standing around the musicians were shouting conversations at the musicians while they were playing.
OK, I'm off to Glasgow the day after tomorrow. I've had a number of session recommended, and found a number through searching this and other sites.
Several people have recommended Ben Nevis. One place states their sessions are Sun, Tue, and Wed, another lists only Wed and Sun, another lists only Wed.
What night or nights are they currently having sessions?
Another highly recommended session has been Waxy O Connor's, which I will try to get to if I can get away from my band commitments early enough on Sunday.
The Lismore is listed as having sessions five nights a week, which is amazing.
I've decided to take not only my whistle for Irish tunes but my smallpipes for Scottish tunes.
Thanks! Richard
We just tried to visit the Wednesday session last night and the bar tender said there hadn't been a session for a few weeks now. We hung around until 9:30 and nobody showed up. I recommend calling the bar before making a special trip for this one.
Hello. I've just moved to Glasgow and been finding the same thing with this one, and several other sessions or open mics mentioned in the Gig Guide - trudge through the rain and wind to find they're not on.
Anyone know of any good sessions that are definitely on to save a few more weeks of searching? Lismore sounds good - I'll try that one next.
Someone seems to have recorded a set from the Ben Nevis a few weeks ago and YouTubed it. So here you go - this is a fairly typical night there (except I had a whistle in my gob! - Thank God that you can't hear me!!!!)
I'm living in glasgow (studying Scottish Music at the RSAMD) and frequent the session at the ben. As long as I've been here its been on every wednesday i've gone, and thursdays and sundays have gotten really reliable as well. Some nights are quieter than others, so you never know if it'll just be good craic, or musically insane. I've also re-started the session at Waxy O'Connors on a sunday, its been pretty quiet over the summer, but should pick up now that people are getting back for Uni.
Ben Nevis
Very good -but like most plces a bit smokey
# Posted on September 9th 2002 by Alanmmcgregor
This session attracts some of Scotland's premier musicians. On a Wednesday and Sunday night, musicians from all over the country converge on the ben nevis. Anyone can join in, although many people prefer to just stand and watch and listen and take in some of the fine malt whiskies available.
Musicians from bands such as The Old Blind Dogs and Croft No. Five, Capercaillie and The Emily Smith Band regularly play here along with loads of young musicians from the Scottish Academy of Music and Dance and other courses.
# Posted on November 6th 2002 by Iona
I listened into this session on wednesday 18th.
Some excellent young musicians, 3 fiddles, mandolin,box,flute and border pipes.
The music was difficult to hear as the background noise was loud - maybe the time of year. But well worth a visit.
The session was very tight and the standard was high. Excellent piper - but then I'm biased.
# Posted on December 19th 2002 by gedpipes
Went to the Ben Nevis Jan 2006. I think it was the first night back after the New Year so the crowd was very noisy. The music was excellent but way too fast for me to join in with. I could hardly hear most of it though because people standing around the musicians were shouting conversations at the musicians while they were playing.
# Posted on February 2nd 2006 by lildogturpy
what night for Ben Nevis in Glasgow?
OK, I'm off to Glasgow the day after tomorrow. I've had a number of session recommended, and found a number through searching this and other sites.
Several people have recommended Ben Nevis. One place states their sessions are Sun, Tue, and Wed, another lists only Wed and Sun, another lists only Wed.
What night or nights are they currently having sessions?
Another highly recommended session has been Waxy O Connor's, which I will try to get to if I can get away from my band commitments early enough on Sunday.
The Lismore is listed as having sessions five nights a week, which is amazing.
I've decided to take not only my whistle for Irish tunes but my smallpipes for Scottish tunes.
Thanks! Richard
# Posted on July 30th 2007 by Richard D Cook
On Wednesdays... or not
We just tried to visit the Wednesday session last night and the bar tender said there hadn't been a session for a few weeks now. We hung around until 9:30 and nobody showed up. I recommend calling the bar before making a special trip for this one.
# Posted on August 16th 2007 by mdowler
Same happened to me on a Sunday night - a session had been advertised in the local "Gig guide". Nothing doing. Phone to check first.
# Posted on January 31st 2008 by Kenny
Hello. I've just moved to Glasgow and been finding the same thing with this one, and several other sessions or open mics mentioned in the Gig Guide - trudge through the rain and wind to find they're not on.
Anyone know of any good sessions that are definitely on to save a few more weeks of searching? Lismore sounds good - I'll try that one next.
Cheers!
Cath
# Posted on March 7th 2008 by Cathf
Session in the Ben Nevis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnr6P6tafP8
Someone seems to have recorded a set from the Ben Nevis a few weeks ago and YouTubed it. So here you go - this is a fairly typical night there (except I had a whistle in my gob! - Thank God that you can't hear me!!!!)
# Posted on August 9th 2008 by No Cause For Alarm
I'm living in glasgow (studying Scottish Music at the RSAMD) and frequent the session at the ben. As long as I've been here its been on every wednesday i've gone, and thursdays and sundays have gotten really reliable as well. Some nights are quieter than others, so you never know if it'll just be good craic, or musically insane. I've also re-started the session at Waxy O'Connors on a sunday, its been pretty quiet over the summer, but should pick up now that people are getting back for Uni.
# Posted on September 8th 2008 by the half-texan