Glasgow’s shipbuilding heritage, tall tales & Scottish cuisine make a tasty tune

Since launching in 2019, the Shipyard Bards, Tall Tales and Dinner events held at Glasgow’s Mharsanta restaurant have repeatedly sold out.

A joint production between Glasgow Music City Tours (GMCT) and Lomond Leisure Group, the events are a celebration of both the Clyde’s shipbuilding heritage and the Clydeside’s current regeneration.

Taking place alongside Celtic Connections in early 2026, the latest run of events will be held in one of groups newest venues: Gael and Grain Scottish Pub and Kitchen on Glasgow’s Sandyford Place.

For more than a century, the Clyde shipbuilding industry was not just a byword for engineering excellence, it was also symbolic of Glasgow's proud working communities. Complemented by a two course meal of Scottish favourites, Shipyard Bards is an innovative event that explores that heritage through stories, traditional song and images. 

As well as research from GMCT, the events draw on archive material from Fairfield Heritage Museum and, crucially, the colourful recollections of former shipyard workers.  It is a source of pride for the organisers that many former shipyard workers have come to see the show and both recognized and enjoyed its portrayal of life on the Clyde yards.  Moreover, some of the stories in the show were gathered from guests at the first events. The tales - some funny, some more serious – range from famous work-ins to heated run-ins between the bosses in their bowler hats and the bunnet-wearing workers.

Song is at the heart of the show. One of Loch Lomond’s key managers and a recent Rising Star winner at the West of Scotland Thistle Awards, Mae MacInnes sings songs inspired by the shipyards at the events. From the Isle of Skye and steeped in the island’s music tradition, Mae graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Drama, Performance and Theatre Arts from Glasgow’s Conservatoire.  The performance part of the event is illustrated by past and present images of the Clyde, the yards and their famous ships.

Taking place during Celtic Connections, the latest run of Shipyard Bards, Tall Tales and Dinner will be on Saturday 17 & 24 January 2025. Bookings can be made via www.gaelandgrain.com