1975
Jan 3 First appearance of REZ supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 4 REZ supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 2 Ziggy Stardust Disco Joss Street Hall Invergordon 9 p.m. –1.00 a.m. 40p
Jan 10 Shagra Girl supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 11 Shagra Girl supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 17 Kilroy supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 18 Kilroy supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 24 Hot Toddy (formerly Pat’r Four)
Supported by One Man Band Les Honeyman the man you have to see to believe and hear to understand why he has become one of Scotland’s most popular musical personalities
Jan 25 Hot Toddy supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 31 Storey’s Alley supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 1 Storey’s Alley supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 7 Oktober supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 8 Oktober supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 14 Judas supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 15 Judas supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Strictly no jeans admitted – from now on this comment would be featured in all ads
Feb 21 Pyramid supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 22 Pyramid supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Strathpeffer Amateur Operatic Society Postponement of Die Fledermaus
Because of uncertainty as to the duration of the current public enquiry which recently opened in the Town Hall Dingwall the Strathpeffer Amateur Operatic Society had to take the decision to postpone their production of Die Fledermaus from 12 – 15 March. Any inconvenience to patrons is regretted and the production will now take place in the Town Hall Dingwall from 14 – 17 May 1975
Feb 28 Jymsaw supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 1 Jymsaw supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 7 Skeet’s Boliver supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 8 Skeet’s Boliver supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 14 Hot Toddy (formerly Pat’R Four supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 15 Hoy Toddy supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
It is with regret that due to ever increasing costs it is necessary for us to increase our admission charges Friday 70p Saturday 50p
Mar 21 Jamie Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 22 Jamie Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 28 Grand Easter Dance
The Tears supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 29 The Tears supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 4 Rez Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 5 Rez Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 11 Jolson Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 12 Jolson Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 17 Scottish Pre-school Playgroup association Ross Shire branch
Fashion Show courtesy of Ray’s Dingwall
In the Spa Pavilion Strathpeffer on Thursday 17 April at 8pm
Admission 30p including coffee Bring and Buy Stall
Apr 18 First appearance of Rock Group
Mirage supported by the well-known New Country Sound plus 45 Overdrive Disco
Apr 19 Mirage
Apr 25 Jymsaw supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 26 Jymsaw supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 2 Harvest Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 3 Harvest Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 9 The Duck supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 10 The Duck supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 16 Oktober supported by the Kinsmen
May 17 Oktober
May 23 First appearance of
Jenifer and Rocfloe supported by New Country Sound
May 24 Jenifer and Rocfloe
Every Monday Wednesday and Thursday from Monday 26 May
The Highland Cabaret Doors open 8.30 Commences 8.45
Argo Cameron – Johnny Bogan – Eck Wilson – Tain Scottish Broadcasting Band
Christine Fraser – Pipe Major Innes – Ben Wyvis Troupe of Highland Dancers
Admission 70p (VAT included) Dancing to follow till 11
May 30 Sheigre (formerly Full House) supported by Capricorn Disco 70p
May 31 Sheigre supported by Capricorn Disco 50p
June 6 After a tour of Norway meet
Nessie supported by New Country Sound
June 7 Nessie
June 13 The return of Hot Toddy supported by New Country Sound
June 14 Hot Toddy
June 20 The return of the Rez Band
June 21 Rez Band
June 27 Stroller Pop Group
June 28 Stroller Pop Group
July 4 Grind with female vocalist supported by New Country Sound
July 5 Grind with female vocalist
July 11 The Bandits supported by the Kinsmen
July 12 The Bandits supported by the Kinsmen
July 18 Dineheart supported by New Country Sound
July 19 Dineheart supported by New Country Sound
July 18 Don’t miss Scotland’s longest running Summer Show
The Highland Cabaret
Every Monday Wednesday and Thursday
Doors open 8.30 Commences 8.45
Argo Cameron – Johnny Bogan – Eck Wilson – Tain Scottish Broadcasting Band
Christine Fraser – Pipe Major Innes – Ben Wyvis Troupe of Highland Dancers
Admission 70p (VAT included) Dancing to follow till 11
July 25 Rock and roll group Stax
July 26 Stax
Aug 1 Kapone Group supported by the Kinsmen
Aug 2 Kapone
Aug 8 Rez
Aug 9 Grand Games Dance
Tain Scottish Dance Band (complete with picture) supported by Rez
Aug 8 Highland Dancing competition in the Pavilion Ballroom, Strathpeffer
Thursday 14 August 9.30.a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
The Finals of this competition and presentation of trophies will take place at
The end of the Highland Cabaret on 14 August
Don’t miss Scotland’s longest running Summer Show
The Highland Cabaret
Every Monday Wednesday and Thursday
Doors open 8.30 Commences 8.45
Argo Cameron – Johnny Bogan – Eck Wilson – Tain Scottish Broadcasting Band
Christine Fraser – Pipe Major Innes – Ben Wyvis Troupe of Highland Dancers
Admission 70p (VAT included) Dancing to follow till 11
Aug 15 Badger supported by New Country Sound
Aug 16 Badger
Aug 22 Johnny’s Rocco’s Rock n Roll Show supported by New Country Sound
Aug 23 Johnny Rocco’s Rock n Roll Show
Aug 29 Duck supported by the Kinsmen
Aug 30 Duck
Appearing next week Ayrshire’s TV Radio and recording Show group
Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners
Sep 5 Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners
Sep 6 Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners
Sep 12 Kress Show Group supported by New Country Sound
Sep 13 Kress
Sep 19 Hot Toddy
Sep 20 Hot Toddy
Sep 26 Rainbow Show Group supported by New Country Sound
Sep 27 Regret no dance due to private function but don’t miss Peter Johnstone Folk
In the Toddy Bowl 9 – 11.30
Oct 3 Paper missing no surviving copies
Oct 4
Oct 10 Ma-mu-lu supported by the Kinsmen
Oct 11 Ma-mu-lu
Oct 17 Dinehart supported by New Country Sound
Oct 18 Dinehart
Oct 24 Smoke Rock n Roll Group supported by the Kinsmen
Oct 25 Smoke
Oct 31 Proof File along with Disco
Nov 1 Proof File
Nov 7 The Tattoo supported by the Original Country Sound
The band was named simply 'Tattoo' but were advertised as 'The Tattoo'.
Nov 8 The Tattoo
Jan 3 First appearance of REZ supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 4 REZ supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 2 Ziggy Stardust Disco Joss Street Hall Invergordon 9 p.m. –1.00 a.m. 40p
Jan 10 Shagra Girl supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 11 Shagra Girl supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 17 Kilroy supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 18 Kilroy supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 24 Hot Toddy (formerly Pat’r Four)
Supported by One Man Band Les Honeyman the man you have to see to believe and hear to understand why he has become one of Scotland’s most popular musical personalities
Jan 25 Hot Toddy supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Jan 31 Storey’s Alley supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 1 Storey’s Alley supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 7 Oktober supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 8 Oktober supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 14 Judas supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 15 Judas supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Strictly no jeans admitted – from now on this comment would be featured in all ads
Feb 21 Pyramid supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Feb 22 Pyramid supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Strathpeffer Amateur Operatic Society Postponement of Die Fledermaus
Because of uncertainty as to the duration of the current public enquiry which recently opened in the Town Hall Dingwall the Strathpeffer Amateur Operatic Society had to take the decision to postpone their production of Die Fledermaus from 12 – 15 March. Any inconvenience to patrons is regretted and the production will now take place in the Town Hall Dingwall from 14 – 17 May 1975
Feb 28 Jymsaw supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 1 Jymsaw supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 7 Skeet’s Boliver supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 8 Skeet’s Boliver supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 14 Hot Toddy (formerly Pat’R Four supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 15 Hoy Toddy supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
It is with regret that due to ever increasing costs it is necessary for us to increase our admission charges Friday 70p Saturday 50p
Mar 21 Jamie Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 22 Jamie Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 28 Grand Easter Dance
The Tears supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Mar 29 The Tears supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 4 Rez Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 5 Rez Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 11 Jolson Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 12 Jolson Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 17 Scottish Pre-school Playgroup association Ross Shire branch
Fashion Show courtesy of Ray’s Dingwall
In the Spa Pavilion Strathpeffer on Thursday 17 April at 8pm
Admission 30p including coffee Bring and Buy Stall
Apr 18 First appearance of Rock Group
Mirage supported by the well-known New Country Sound plus 45 Overdrive Disco
Apr 19 Mirage
Apr 25 Jymsaw supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
Apr 26 Jymsaw supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 2 Harvest Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 3 Harvest Band supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 9 The Duck supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 10 The Duck supported by Ziggy Stardust Disco
May 16 Oktober supported by the Kinsmen
May 17 Oktober
May 23 First appearance of
Jenifer and Rocfloe supported by New Country Sound
May 24 Jenifer and Rocfloe
Every Monday Wednesday and Thursday from Monday 26 May
The Highland Cabaret Doors open 8.30 Commences 8.45
Argo Cameron – Johnny Bogan – Eck Wilson – Tain Scottish Broadcasting Band
Christine Fraser – Pipe Major Innes – Ben Wyvis Troupe of Highland Dancers
Admission 70p (VAT included) Dancing to follow till 11
May 30 Sheigre (formerly Full House) supported by Capricorn Disco 70p
May 31 Sheigre supported by Capricorn Disco 50p
June 6 After a tour of Norway meet
Nessie supported by New Country Sound
June 7 Nessie
June 13 The return of Hot Toddy supported by New Country Sound
June 14 Hot Toddy
June 20 The return of the Rez Band
June 21 Rez Band
June 27 Stroller Pop Group
June 28 Stroller Pop Group
July 4 Grind with female vocalist supported by New Country Sound
July 5 Grind with female vocalist
July 11 The Bandits supported by the Kinsmen
July 12 The Bandits supported by the Kinsmen
July 18 Dineheart supported by New Country Sound
July 19 Dineheart supported by New Country Sound
July 18 Don’t miss Scotland’s longest running Summer Show
The Highland Cabaret
Every Monday Wednesday and Thursday
Doors open 8.30 Commences 8.45
Argo Cameron – Johnny Bogan – Eck Wilson – Tain Scottish Broadcasting Band
Christine Fraser – Pipe Major Innes – Ben Wyvis Troupe of Highland Dancers
Admission 70p (VAT included) Dancing to follow till 11
July 25 Rock and roll group Stax
July 26 Stax
Aug 1 Kapone Group supported by the Kinsmen
Aug 2 Kapone
Aug 8 Rez
Aug 9 Grand Games Dance
Tain Scottish Dance Band (complete with picture) supported by Rez
Aug 8 Highland Dancing competition in the Pavilion Ballroom, Strathpeffer
Thursday 14 August 9.30.a.m. – 6.00 p.m.
The Finals of this competition and presentation of trophies will take place at
The end of the Highland Cabaret on 14 August
Don’t miss Scotland’s longest running Summer Show
The Highland Cabaret
Every Monday Wednesday and Thursday
Doors open 8.30 Commences 8.45
Argo Cameron – Johnny Bogan – Eck Wilson – Tain Scottish Broadcasting Band
Christine Fraser – Pipe Major Innes – Ben Wyvis Troupe of Highland Dancers
Admission 70p (VAT included) Dancing to follow till 11
Aug 15 Badger supported by New Country Sound
Aug 16 Badger
Aug 22 Johnny’s Rocco’s Rock n Roll Show supported by New Country Sound
Aug 23 Johnny Rocco’s Rock n Roll Show
Aug 29 Duck supported by the Kinsmen
Aug 30 Duck
Appearing next week Ayrshire’s TV Radio and recording Show group
Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners
Sep 5 Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners
Sep 6 Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners
Sep 12 Kress Show Group supported by New Country Sound
Sep 13 Kress
Sep 19 Hot Toddy
Sep 20 Hot Toddy
Sep 26 Rainbow Show Group supported by New Country Sound
Sep 27 Regret no dance due to private function but don’t miss Peter Johnstone Folk
In the Toddy Bowl 9 – 11.30
Oct 3 Paper missing no surviving copies
Oct 4
Oct 10 Ma-mu-lu supported by the Kinsmen
Oct 11 Ma-mu-lu
Oct 17 Dinehart supported by New Country Sound
Oct 18 Dinehart
Oct 24 Smoke Rock n Roll Group supported by the Kinsmen
Oct 25 Smoke
Oct 31 Proof File along with Disco
Nov 1 Proof File
Nov 7 The Tattoo supported by the Original Country Sound
The band was named simply 'Tattoo' but were advertised as 'The Tattoo'.
Nov 8 The Tattoo
Stuart Adamson was at school at the time he started his first-ever group, called ‘Tattoo’. He started the band up with Willie Simpson who ended up being the bass player in ‘The Skids’. Stuart would also go on to be in ‘The Skids’ and ‘Big Country’.
Willie Simpson and Stuart used to go to be high school together and were really good friends. They used to run a local disco, charging 25p for entry and used all the money for buying more equipment for the group. They played gigs in all the local pubs and clubs and dance halls in the Fife area. They usually got around £25-£36 per gig but it could on occasions be a bit more. They were keen to play further afield and had been round all the agents trying to get gigs outside the Fife area. They eventually got a gig in Brechin, which went really well. As they were packing away the gear and said “I've got you two nights at the Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion, which is about 100 miles further north than Brechin and you’ll get £60 per night plus digs thrown in on the Saturday night”.
So they played at the Pavilion, Strathpeffer. They recall the gig was on a Saturday night (actually it was a Friday) and went well. They played in the same hall where the Beatles once played (no, The Beatles were only visiting after a poorly attended gig at the Town hall in Dingwall finished early) on the first Scottish tour as part of a backing group for some singer or other (this was in January 1963 whereas Johnny Gentle’s Tour was in 1960). They remembered that the big hall held about 1500 people ( more probably around 800) and recall they had really grotty old rooms upstairs with dog- and flea-infested beds, which was meant to be the group's accommodation. All of the beds were in one room and they got £60 a night, which was great. They kept the bar open for the locals after hours, so “ … we went down there buying a huge crate of beer, we all got very drunk that night and we had a big fight in one of the bedrooms and Willie fell on a pint tumbler and gashed his arm right to the bone, so we had to take him to the nearest hospital which was the Ross Memorial Hospital in Dingwall at 3 o'clock in the morning”. The next day Stuart realised that Willie wasn't able to play, but it didn't really matter as there had only (only?) been about 800 people in the hall the night before. They didn't know at the time that they would get the same money for a Sunday (Saturday) night. But it was "just a dodge for the promoter" and there was only about six people in the cavern of a place and no one was interested in what they were playing. They just managed to take breaks during songs and went to the bar, but they had good memories.
Information sourced, with grateful thanks, from http://www.stuart-adamson.co.uk/information/tattoo/
Unknown to them they were the last band to play a Saturday night dance at the Pavilion. From the following week Saturday night dances were cancelled. (Nothing to do with the early morning visit to the Ross Memorial?). It was obvious from the band's comments, even allowing for some exaggeration, that Saturday attendances had dwindled to a handful of paying customers, which wouldn't have covered the performers' fees.
They were to reappear the following month to play for the Christmas Eve Dance, supported by New Country Sound.
Willie Simpson and Stuart used to go to be high school together and were really good friends. They used to run a local disco, charging 25p for entry and used all the money for buying more equipment for the group. They played gigs in all the local pubs and clubs and dance halls in the Fife area. They usually got around £25-£36 per gig but it could on occasions be a bit more. They were keen to play further afield and had been round all the agents trying to get gigs outside the Fife area. They eventually got a gig in Brechin, which went really well. As they were packing away the gear and said “I've got you two nights at the Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion, which is about 100 miles further north than Brechin and you’ll get £60 per night plus digs thrown in on the Saturday night”.
So they played at the Pavilion, Strathpeffer. They recall the gig was on a Saturday night (actually it was a Friday) and went well. They played in the same hall where the Beatles once played (no, The Beatles were only visiting after a poorly attended gig at the Town hall in Dingwall finished early) on the first Scottish tour as part of a backing group for some singer or other (this was in January 1963 whereas Johnny Gentle’s Tour was in 1960). They remembered that the big hall held about 1500 people ( more probably around 800) and recall they had really grotty old rooms upstairs with dog- and flea-infested beds, which was meant to be the group's accommodation. All of the beds were in one room and they got £60 a night, which was great. They kept the bar open for the locals after hours, so “ … we went down there buying a huge crate of beer, we all got very drunk that night and we had a big fight in one of the bedrooms and Willie fell on a pint tumbler and gashed his arm right to the bone, so we had to take him to the nearest hospital which was the Ross Memorial Hospital in Dingwall at 3 o'clock in the morning”. The next day Stuart realised that Willie wasn't able to play, but it didn't really matter as there had only (only?) been about 800 people in the hall the night before. They didn't know at the time that they would get the same money for a Sunday (Saturday) night. But it was "just a dodge for the promoter" and there was only about six people in the cavern of a place and no one was interested in what they were playing. They just managed to take breaks during songs and went to the bar, but they had good memories.
Information sourced, with grateful thanks, from http://www.stuart-adamson.co.uk/information/tattoo/
Unknown to them they were the last band to play a Saturday night dance at the Pavilion. From the following week Saturday night dances were cancelled. (Nothing to do with the early morning visit to the Ross Memorial?). It was obvious from the band's comments, even allowing for some exaggeration, that Saturday attendances had dwindled to a handful of paying customers, which wouldn't have covered the performers' fees.
They were to reappear the following month to play for the Christmas Eve Dance, supported by New Country Sound.
Nov 14 Hot Toddy 70p
Saturday dances cancelled till further notice
Nov 15 Toddy Bowl 8.30 – 11.30 Alan Campbell Country Western
Nov 21 Three Birds Pop group
Nov 28 Two band attraction
Transit Pop Group supported by New Country Sound
Free transport Beauly 9, Tain 8.30, Invergordon 9.30,
Dec 5 Jigsaw Pop Group
Jigsaw had signed a new deal with independent UK label Splash and their first single for their new label, was called 'Sky High'. It was recorded for the film 'The man from Hong Kong' a 1975 martial-arts action movie starring George Lazenby. Reaction to the song was good, especially from Radio Luxembourg and "Sky High" subsequently made the UK Top 10 in November just weeks before their appearance at the Pavilion. It was released in the US and was a hit there, going to #3 on the Billboard 100. The song also charted all over the world and was #1 in Japan.
Dec 12 Capricorn
Toddy Bowl over 20s
Dec 19 Firebird Pop Group 80p
Complete festive programme at the Pavilion Ballroom, Strathpeffer
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Dance
with Tattoo supported by Country and western New Country Sound
Balloons Streamers Hats galore
9.30 – 1.30 Admission 80p A night to remember
Dec 26 Boxing Night Dance with the ever popular Rez Band supported by New Country Sound 80p
Dec 27 Entertainment at The Toddy Bowl with Peter Johnstone Folk
Saturday dances cancelled till further notice
Nov 15 Toddy Bowl 8.30 – 11.30 Alan Campbell Country Western
Nov 21 Three Birds Pop group
Nov 28 Two band attraction
Transit Pop Group supported by New Country Sound
Free transport Beauly 9, Tain 8.30, Invergordon 9.30,
Dec 5 Jigsaw Pop Group
Jigsaw had signed a new deal with independent UK label Splash and their first single for their new label, was called 'Sky High'. It was recorded for the film 'The man from Hong Kong' a 1975 martial-arts action movie starring George Lazenby. Reaction to the song was good, especially from Radio Luxembourg and "Sky High" subsequently made the UK Top 10 in November just weeks before their appearance at the Pavilion. It was released in the US and was a hit there, going to #3 on the Billboard 100. The song also charted all over the world and was #1 in Japan.
Dec 12 Capricorn
Toddy Bowl over 20s
Dec 19 Firebird Pop Group 80p
Complete festive programme at the Pavilion Ballroom, Strathpeffer
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Dance
with Tattoo supported by Country and western New Country Sound
Balloons Streamers Hats galore
9.30 – 1.30 Admission 80p A night to remember
Dec 26 Boxing Night Dance with the ever popular Rez Band supported by New Country Sound 80p
Dec 27 Entertainment at The Toddy Bowl with Peter Johnstone Folk