Bang Bang You're Terry Reid.

I went to see Terry Reid at the Winchester in Glasgow recently.

Now who is Terry Reid I hear you ask, well so did I. I had a vague recollection but it was my old pal Tom who filled me in and if you are an aspiring musician take note.

Back at the end of the sixties a certain Jimmy Page was looking for a vocalist for the New Yardbirds which went on to become Led Zeppelin and asked Terry to join up but he had already committed to touring the USA with the Stones in 1969. He did however recommend a young Birmingham vocalist Robert Plant as a suitable candidate. Shortly after that he turned down the offer to join Deep Purple when they decided to replace Rod Evan. Ian Gillan got the job. The rest as they say, is history.

He was still enjoying himself and his voice still sounded great. Have a listen to him at Glastonbury in 1971 and you'll hear why he was in demand.

Keith Floyd 1943-2009.

I only met Keith Floyd once, what an experience!

Back in September 2000, I was commisioned to take a photo of him, the manager and the head chef at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh. The chef had won a major accolade, Keith was in town filming and the photo shoot was set up.

"Now he's not in a good mood so don't hang around", I was told by his publicist. I set up my lights, got the manager and chef ready and quickly got the shots required. It was all over in two minutes, if that.

I noticed that his entourage quickly disappeared and I started taking down my lights. A few moments later I heard that gravelly voice, "It looks like you and me are the only ones left snapper, do you fancy a swifty" ? Well, why not I thought to myself where's the harm.

Within ten minutes I had knocked back several drams with him at the bar and an hour later I realised that driving was completely out of the question, walking in a straight line was also going to prove difficult. I can't really remember what we talked about but I do remember him waxing lyrical about The Stranglers.

I'll always remember my short time with him. He was a fantastic character but I wonder how many people could keep up with him.

Not a lot I reckon.

I certainly couldn't.

The Portrait Season Has Started.

Over the years, I have noticed distinct patterns in terms of inquiries to the studio. This year has been no exception. For some inexplicable reason there is always a great deal of interest for family related photos at the end of the summer.

The old saying "Never Work With Children Or Animals", can sometimes be very accurate but if you are patient there are great results to be had.

Not if you listen to Noel Gallagher's comments about his brother Liam regarding their
latest spat.

Seaside In The City.

On Monday morning at five thirty, I was awakened by the screeching of sea gulls. For a moment I thought I was somewhere by the sea. I looked out of the window and there were several gulls low flying and dive bombing around. Not unusual I hear you say but this was the west end of Glasgow. The sea is miles away. They must have been city gulls.

It is nicer to see them in their proper environment as here en route to my girlfriends sisters house on the Isle of Cumbrae.

Did you know that the narrowest house in the world known as the Wedge is to be found in Millport?

If you don't believe me, here is the photographic proof. Amazing Stuff!

Also, I wonder how many boats were named Dignity after the famous tune by Deacon Blue?
Quite a few I think. At the top are a couple of them moored at Millport pier.

Edinburgh Book Festival.

My old pal Tom was publishing his latest novel "Serpentine" at the Edinburgh Book Festival on Sunday afternoon.

During the Q&A session I was discretely taking some photos when I was tapped on the shoulder by a young guy with an official badge hanging around his neck. "You can't take photos" he told me in a stern voice. Not wanting to cause a scene, I put my camera down.

After the event, I was followed outside by the chap where he proceeded to tell me to delete my images as he didn't want any of them to appear on Youtube. Not content with that nonsensical reason, he proceeded to give me several more other ridiculous ones.

"Ye Gods! it's a book festival for heavens sake. Lighten up", I said. You would have thought I was a dubious character in Tom's book.

Now to get back to the book, I have read the first few chapters and it is fab. I strongly recommend that you buy a copy.

Portavadie Marina.

I was asked to pitch for some work at Scotland's latest marina, Portavadie recently.

After a spectacular two hour drive from Glasgow via Loch Lomond, Loch Long and Loch Fyne,you are there.

I had in my minds eye, a picture of a small new build development with various pontoons and some shops.

Well, how wrong could you be?

It is the most beautiful of structures over two main levels, designed and built locally and overlooking 230 berths.

I have absolutely no doubt it will become one of the most sought after destinations on the nautical calendar in the world.

The icing on the cake, I got the work and will be travelling there on a regular basis.

Haggis Is English?

A couple of weeks ago, my sister company Stop Press Media, started a story around haggis
involving one of our clients catering company Grooms Scotland.

We had found out that Scotland's iconic dish was now selling more in England than Scotland and a story to that effect was put out on the news wires.

A well know food historian from south of the border claimed that references to "Haggas" were written up some 150 years before Robert Burns started writing about it and claimed it for England.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, was none to pleased and passed comment in his own inimitable way.

Agh ! The humble haggis.

As you can see and expertly displayed by Carly Baxter of Grooms, the dish is extremely versatile and extremely tasty.