For me personally, it feels like a real gift to be able to work here. Twenty years ago I couldn’t have imagined that an arts centre would become a reality on Mull and it is quite a privilege to be part of the creation of a growing legacy of work involving some of the most outstanding artists and musicians in Scotland. So many local people have also worked hard to make An Tobar a success – the list would be too long to mention names.

Since we opened there has been an explosion in small venues across Scotland and of course the music scene is healthier than it has ever been. It would be great if Government would stop mucking the arts sector about and get on with it. Whatever the new quango is called or does, I think we’d all rather deal with imperfect reality rather than more indecision.

Gordon Maclean
Director
 

Gordon Maclean faces the questions:

NORTHINGS: When was the venue established?

GORDON: The venue opened in 1997 with a specially commissioned piece by Savourna Stevenson which was the first of many great new compositions we have commissioned over the past 11 years.

NORTHINGS : What famous names have taken to the stage over the years?

Gordon: An Tobar has presented concerts by Amy MacDonald, Salsa Celtica, King Creosote, Blazin Fiddles, Aly and Phil, The Dunedin Consort, Martin Taylor, Martyn Bennett, Angus & Julia Stone, Tommy Smith (solo and with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra), plus An Tobar commissions featuring Mr McFall’s Chamber, the Cauld Blast Orchestra, Corrina Hewat, The Burt MacDonald Sextet with Keith Tippett and Michael Marra.
 

NORTHINGS: What are your big ideas for the future of the venue?

Gordon: Having enjoyed our 10th anniversary year in 2007 (including a brilliant new work by Aidan O’Rourke which is released on Navigator Records later this year) we’re game for another 10 years. The biggest challenge is keeping afloat!

NORTHINGS: Does the venue have a ghost?

Gordon: No ghost, but lots of past pupils come in with stories and memories from when the building was a school. Just last week a respectable local lady was admiring “Warnock and wee John” which she had carved into a door many years ago.

NORTHINGS: What was your worst disaster as director?

Gordon: Introducing piper Arthur Gillies to a full house only to discover he’d gone to the gents at the last minute.

NORTHINGS: And what was your biggest triumph?

Gordon: I think I often get the biggest kick from seeing some of our local teenagers get a band together and perform songs of their own – being nominated as Venue of the Year at the Trad Music Awards was exciting too.

NORTHINGS: If you could have any artist in the world for a one-off special, who would it be, and why?

Gordon: It would still have to be Joni Mitchell.

NORTHINGS: Why should people look forward to visiting An Tobar?

Gordon: Ester’s cooking makes the café well worth a visit!

© HI-Arts, 2008