18/08/2026
Regulars and visitors will know Folk at the Salmon Bothy Chairman and Haal Coordinator, Bob Philips. Here, Bob shares his journey into the folk music scene...
I had a bright idea that it would be good if some of our Club regulars penned a paragraph or two about their involvement in folk music which would be shared in our monthly newsletter and online. However, I thought it a bit forward to ask others to contribute and not write something about my own interest in folk music, so here goes…
The seed was sown at the school I attended in Aberdeen. Two science teachers, Bill May fae Boddam and Davie Scott, along with some senior pupils, organised a weekly folk session in the school projection room. There were some great performers, some now well known to Portsoy audiences - the multi talented artist, instrumentalist and singer, Arthur Watson, and guitarist/singer Alan Carr, are two who went on to be superb performers. The school club had occasional guests too, one of which was Jimmy McBeath (his fee was a half bottle!).
My next step was to attend Aberdeen Folk Club in the Royal Hotel (it then moved to The Guild, Highlander, Crescent, Three Paceros etc). The local talent was amazing. Danny Couper (when he had hair!), Jeanie Robertson, Stanley Robertson, Lizzie Higgins, Tam Spiers to name a few. Danny, Arthur Argo and the Committee brought international stars Tom Paxton, Ewan Maccoll and Peggy Seeger, Tom Paley, The Laggan, Martin Carthy, The Buskers, and my all time favourites, Finbar and Eddie Furey. Wow. They were very special nights indeed.
Attending festivals became a great way to spend a summer weekend with pals - Keith, Kirrie, Aberfeldy, Edinburgh, then Ballyshannon with Iona and our three youngsters, were trips never to be forgotten. Life long friendships have been made. Highlights of Ballyshannon weekends were performances by the Furey Brothers, the Sands Family and A Women’s Heart.
In early 2009 or so, the late great Wendy de Russett put a notice in the local newspaper, The Banffshire Journal, about a meeting to gauge interest in starting a Folk Club in the newly refurbished Salmon Bothy in Portsoy. 13 people attended - 12 performers and me. So, I got job of Chair/ Organiser, as I can’t sing in tune, nor play a note on any instrument. Nothing has changed. Thank you Wendy - I still love the involvement.
The first meeting had Keith Coburn from Huntly as MC and the Bothy was packed.
On retirement from regular employment, I found I had a wee bit more spare time and decided to organise a festival. Some friends were contacted, Alan Carr and Jane Rothfield came from New York State, and Shauna Mullen and Band came from Donegal. The lineup was completed with Club performers and local acts. The promise was, if we didn’t make a loss, a fee/expenses would be paid. Many thought it was a daft idea, but we nearly filled the Station Hotel for concerts, and sponsorship was generous. So all guest acts got paid. The rest is history as the saying goes.
The Club continues to thrive and the annual Haal festival will continue for a 17th year over the weekend 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th June 2027.
I’ll take this opportunity to thank everyone for allowing me the honour of continuing to be Chair/Organiser and thank you all for your massive support.
Cheers. Bob
PS any inaccuracies are down to my dodgy memory!
