As the exceptionally rainy Spring/Summer of 2024 heralds the Autumn chill and leaves begin to take on their golden and crimson hues, one reflects on summers past. Experiencing times with folk, the warmth and beauty on Scotland's west coast; those waterways and sunsets on this unique, famous Atlantic seaboard.

This demo ballad recalls a home coming of a Lochaber born and bred merchant sea captain. A career spent plying cargoes around the world through the maritime waterways, canals and crossing global oceans. He harbours a yearning to return to his precious native land and settle down with the love of his life who he left behind all those years ago.

If you need a reason to visit this extraordinary part of the world, here are some links to enhance your next visit! So let your journey of discovery begin and listen to the Sound of Mull and sail out onto those Hebridean waterways!

https://www.wanderwestardnamurchan.com/

https://www.ardnamurchanlighthouse.com/

https://ardnamurchandistillery.com/

https://www.ardnamurchancampsite.com/mobile/index.html

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/ardnamurchan-area-p2555641

https://www.westhighlandpeninsulas.com/about-the-peninsulas/ardnamurchan

https://heritageardnamurchan.co.uk/

https://www.ardnamurchanestate.co.uk/

https://www.moidart.org.uk/datasets/tioram.htm#:~:text=James%20Wiseman%20MacDonald%20bought%20the,is%20a%20scheduled%20ancient%20monument

http://isleofeigg.org/

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/isle-of-eigg-p246981


I would like to credit Steven Marshall Photography https://www.smarshall-photography.com/
for granting the license to use one of his photographs for this track. Please be sure to check out his exceptional work and creative talent for capturing this glorious scenery and atmosphere of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Please consider making a purchase !

The Sound of Mull

Today, 3rd March 2025, a key debate on the e-petition will take place at  Westminster Hall. https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/c0367db8-6dfe-490d-99c9-7d422c75c586?fbclid=IwY2xjawIyQ-9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSWMguH_T5yX7OfaGeh_RB4JBqfIP6jsQM76MtpC2pgX6RsiZRsjGs1FZg_aem_5XVLKKfkIzwrIJyzEclXOw
on the subject of VAT being added to independent school bills of 20% and rates relief. This educational reform is a key flag ship of the new labour government. Two court cases are due to be heard soon in support of children and their families being discriminated and charged an excessive amount on top of the school fee. The government claims it is a 'tax break' but education is never taxed as it is a 'merit good' for society and no European country can do this and this is enshrined in European human rights conventions. Greece is an example of where this experiment miserably failed. 

Some say that Change Labour's policy of closing down independent schools in the UK has been a long-standing ambition. Since July 2024 the Labour government has gone full steam ahead to bring this vision into reality with the imposition of VAT (20%) applied to school fees from January 2025. One of Change Labour's  leading proponents for implementing this policy has been Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education (MP for Haughton and Sunderland South 
https://www.bridgetphillipson.com/.) Some say she is driven by a Marxist ideology and cares little for the children, teachers, parents and schools in her pursuit to give the 'best life chances' for all children.  The aim is to use the VAT income -  some 1.6 bln per year, to take off those fees paid and put that unfair tax some to fund more teachers and improve standards for the 94% of children attending state schools. She has started in this vein to provide 'subsidised' breakfasts for some 750 schools in England recently.

However, mercifully we have two outstanding opposition groups standing against this insidious policy: ENT Education Not Education https://educationnottaxation.org/ (not to be confused with ENT.... Ears, Nose and Throat!) and the ISC Independent School Council  https://www.isc.co.uk/about-isc/ representing independent schools through out the United Kingdom.


Many smaller independent schools (including faith and SEND schools) are finding it difficult to balance the books. Notably over recent months almost weekly announcements are made of impending closures due in part made by the VAT imposition, NIC contributions and the increase in rates.  This is a cruel and vindictive policy which seeks to punish hard working parents who have already contributed their share of taxes for their children's education) and those making sacrifices for their children. Many are not rich but are working parents and want the choice and also enjoy wrap around care so they can work and contribute to the wider economy.  The additional burden of the VAT will put the cost beyond many and thousands of children will be impacted and be required to enter  State education which will put more pressure on the State and will be counter productive as this policy will end up costing more than it raises. It will guarantee the disruption of the lives of young people and bring closures to great organisations that contribute to their communities and have done so for decades.


Change Labour must be prevented from delivering their ideological crusade to eradicate our proud independent schools and hopefully these legal actions this year, will end the absurdity of adding VAT to school fees.

I would like to thank and credit the artwork used in the thumbnail image which was published by https://www.spectator.co.uk to accompany the article by Peter Jones on 16th January.

Change Labour

FRESH

Musician DJAYPI STRONG invited me to share my verse , So my friends the song is here for you, like it and subscribe to my channel, thank you so much 

DJAYPI Feat Best gang 515_pete pete .mp3

DJ Rascal - Old Days



https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=o_JrtbvRLkY&feature=shared


https://open.spotify.com/album/0jc7LOWmAijLzu6ThbXTLo?si=bJhay2FNS7utFsJFLf_JAQ


 https://music.apple.com/us/song/got-that-groove-on/1820675314





Got the Groove On.mp3


https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=IaUMXguxvPA&feature=shared


https://open.spotify.com/album/5f9qKLZ8dh7xnaNHbpI7iC?si=diUMu1C1QZGPG_dYsyWELw



https://music.apple.com/it/album/the-downshower/1824450751?i=1824450752&ls


https://music.amazon.it/albums/B0FGHZ3K4Z?marketplaceId=APJ6JRA9NG5V4&musicTerritory=IT&ref=dm_sh_gK6XqI4u62stIuLWSG3zMb2Cs&trackAsin=B0FGHVYWM5


The Downshower.mp3

Vedran - The Letter Arrived in Heat


https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=7VENqXn7EZs&feature=shared

https://open.spotify.com/album/7zgLXHp5YbKTi8v4Zj7DLS?si=k8Y8eKkRRQGUQIffAJHkQg

https://music.apple.com/us/song/italy-a-betrayed-land/1832045080

Italy, a Betrayed Land.mp3


With great pleasure and honor and with the help of my friend Igor alias Gosha for lyrics and music, I present this collaboration, I hope you like it
🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟🔥🌟

Music and Lyric by Gosha
Arrangement by LinOnyx
 
DON’T LEAVE IN LOVE
 


https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=6-e3rF_RpRw&feature=shared


https://open.spotify.com/album/3EIG76Y68u6saWXtp1KSQH?si=JYi4Ir8_SLS_IJA2a2h2JQ

https://music.amazon.it/albums/B0FKTP74XZ?marketplaceId=APJ6JRA9NG5V4&musicTerritory=IT&ref=dm_sh_8zYC4W3N3Rvj59mHfGmpoWf33&trackAsin=B0FKTN952X


Don't Leave in Love (feat.Gosha).mp3

It was with immense joy that I composed this first song, dedicated to a German artist with miraculous singing talents. I hope you all enjoy it too. Enjoy!☕🍉☕🍉☕🍉☕🍉



https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=2cDIjf6og-8&feature=shared

https://open.spotify.com/album/7MOYp32a01YMN67cxJrEuX?si=lUzo1yXiSyeczsARlnMLnQ

https://music.apple.com/us/song/cleos-isle/1831120430


https://music.amazon.it/albums/B0FL1BB7G8?marketplaceId=APJ6JRA9NG5V4&musicTerritory=IT&ref=dm_sh_8egdQctslv9clvKgNejtvJAxY&trackAsin=B0FL153PZ2




Cleo's Isle.mp3

Enjoy listening and just occasionally singing (to myself) 'Bothy Ballads' from The North East of Scotland. Influenced in my teens by legendary folk singer Marc Floyd Ellington and Charlie Allan. 

'Written' a few very simple lockdown ballads in the 12 months since the global pandemic struck and tried to learn the guitar...it helps!

The Sound of Mull

Nicholas