The venue’s manager is initially confused. “It’s all very odd – we’re not allowed to advertise it.” Clearly, she’s not yet Googled her most recent booking to see that with 1.3m Instagram followers, Fred can probably do most of the heavy lifting himself when it comes to marketing. The residents of Harris are equally baffled by the unexpected arrival at Talla na Mara, the community centre overlooking the deserted but breathtaking Niseaboist beach on the west coast of the island.
“He’s even bringing security and everyone is being frisked! Frisked on Harris?! Unheard of. How thrilling,” someone exclaims on a local WhatsApp group. On the night, the door is being staffed by Neil MacDonald, a crofter from nearby Luskentyre. Neighbours are peering out of their houses, bemused by the sudden activity in a venue that usually plays host to pensioners’ lunches, tweed-weaving groups and Gaelic choirs.
