THE summer solstice brought sunshine and Skirlie to the Rolling Hills Folk Club last week.

As part of the Make Music Day, organisers at the Darnick-based club threw open the doors of the Smith Memorial Hall.

And a bumper audience enjoyed an evening with one of the country's most-loved traditional bands.

Ros Anderson from the Rolling Hills Folk Club told us: "It was a fantastic night and we want to send a massive thanks to Skirlie for making this a night for us all to remember as a really magical summer solstice.

"As well as the amazing musicianship and their enthusiasm for bringing live music to communities, their lighting of the stunning arch in the Hall was spectacular.

"The band's choice of material, their beautiful singing voices, and their array of instruments provided a brilliant night of entertainment.

"There was lots of foot-tapping and audience participation throughout the evening."

Skirlie's set concluded with the ever-popular The Rolling Hills of the Borders - the very Matt McGinn song which the club was named after.

The Rolling Hills Folk Club resumes on Friday, September 6 following its annual summer break.

Sandy Brechin & Ewan Wilkinson, Caim, Paul Downes and the Fisher Lassies have all been booked as guest artists for the remaining 2019 evenings.

But from next year, for economic reasons, the club won't be booking guests.

Ros added: "It was agreed at the April AGM that from 2020, the club will not have monthly guests for reasons of economy.

"Although we have a cohort of regular and very loyal participants at the club who travel from far and wide around the Borders, our numbers vary considerably from month to month.

"The free event brought us our biggest audience for a long time, and we really hope that many will now appreciate what we offer and what a beautiful hall we have in Darnick where music can be heard at its acoustic best.

"The big change is that from February 2020 it will run on the first Friday of every month except July and August as a singers and musicians night.

"If we can build a larger and regular interested audience over the coming months and early next year, we may be able to fund a few guests for 2020."

One big show that is already attracting attention is the Rolling Hills Folk Club's Christmas evening with traditional music legend Archie Fisher taking the stage.

Tickets are already being sold for the December 27 show.