Yoko Ono gives tribute

Yoko Ono sends an emotional message to scottish village revellers

22 March - Yoko Ono Lennon paid an emotional tribute to residents of Scotland's most north westerly village last night (Friday 21st March) as they held a Ceilidh in honour of John Lennon.

She told them to dance the night away to celebrate the ex-Beatle's memory!

Residents of Durness in Sutherland staged the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival last September which went on to win Britain's Best New Festival at the UK Festival Awards, beating hundreds of other events.

The event saw performances from a host of artists including King Creosote, Nizopoli, Mr Hudson and the Library and John Cooper Clarke.

Villagers were, last night, celebrating winning the best festival award at the ceilidh and it was a huge surprise when Yoko sent a message saying how delighted she was that residents had chosen to respect John's memory in this way.

The festival will not be repeated this year - because of the difficulties in raising funding in such a short timescale - but it is hoped to stage an event next year and in 2010, which will mark the 70th anniversary of Lennon's birth

"The most beautiful and magical country" - Yoko Ono

Lennon spent many happy childhood summers in Durness and returned in 1969 with Yoko and their respective children Julian and Kyoko. He even tried to buy the village shortly before his death.

Durness, which has a population of just 356, is also said to be part of the inspiration for the song In My Life.

It is the second time Yoko has contacted the organisers. When she gave permission for the festival to carry John's name, she also spoke of her love of Scotland describing it as, "the most beautiful and magical country."

She also said that the car accident she suffered nearly 40 years ago with her late husband in his beloved Durness had not marred her memory of the place.
In fact she said she had "a very sweet memory of Durness."

The main entertainment at Durness Community Centre last night - where hundreds of people were expected to travel far and wide to celebrate the award - was legendary ceildh king Fergie MacDonald, who was the opening act in September's festival.

Fergie actually topped the Scottish charts the same year that The Beatles released Revolver.


Elizabeth Alker