Quest & Chorus #1: Don't Blink at Kilmartin (special feature)

Quest & Chorus #1: Don't Blink at Kilmartin (special feature)

Author: Marc Gunn, Celtic & Folk musician August 26, 2025 Duration: 26:52

Quest & Chorus is a six-part series where I share songs, stories, and places along with a game to make the adventure even more fun. This is the first episode in your quest.

A reminder to be present with those who you love, while we travel through time to Kilmartin Glen in Scotland.

This is Quest & Chorus on Folk Songs & Stories #305

0:12 - Tan and Sober Gentlemen "All the Time" from Regressive Folk Music

4:18 - WELCOME TO QUEST & CHORUS

Where legends meet lyrics, and every place sings a story. I'm your bard, Marc Gunn, also host of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast, and typically host of this show as Folk Songs & Stories, but today, we call it Quest & Chorus, and we begin our journey in a place where time stands still, literally.

Welcome to Kilmartin Glen, in Scotland. A valley lined with stones that don't move, don't blink, and yet they watch… As you and I walk the long path of memory, love, and time itself.

If you're new to the show, please follow us. You can do that PubSong.com or Just send me an email to follow@celtfather.

NEWS

4:55 - UPCOMING SHOWS

5:05 - TODAY'S SHOW IS BROUGHT TO BY CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS

Every year, I take a small group of people on a relaxing adventure to one of the Celtic nations. We don't see everything. Instead we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join me with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts, blogs, videos, and photos.

In 2026, you can join me for a Celtic Invasion of Galicia in Spain. Sign to the Celtic Invasion Vacations mailing list at CelticInvasion.com.

6:02 - Tulua "Rambling Boys of Pleasure" from No Coming No Going

11:48 - The Secret Commonwealth "Dubhachas (I'll Dream of Times Like This)" from Last Call

The ads on this podcast pay for some of the hosting and podcast editing. My time producing the show is paid for by my…

15:43 - GUNN RUNNERS ON PATREON

Thank you so much for your generous support of my music. Patreon is how the modern musician makes a living with music. Album Pin and CD sales help me to perform in person. But my livelihood is entirely funded by Patrons of the Arts.

You can sign up for as little as $5 per month. You'll get exclusive, unreleased songs. You'll get this and other podcasts I produce. Plus, you'll get access to a huge archive of video concerts. Email follow@celtfather to get more details!

If you can't support me financially right now, just sign up on Patreon for free. You'll also get weekly updates.

Please leave a comment on the podcast show notes at pubsong.com or wherever you're listening. You can also message me on Facebook. Email me, send me pictures of where you're listening. follow@celtfather

Let's begin the…

16:54 - QUEST & CHORUS of KILMARTIN GLEN

In a valley near the West Coast of Scotland is Kilmartin Glen. There you will find standing stones. Not one or two, but many laid out like a memory.

Kilmartin Glen is considered to have one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in Scotland. There are more than 350 ancient monuments within a six mile radius of the village, with 150 of them being prehistoric.

In the glen that we visited, we got a nice sized taste of those monuments. If you stand still long enough, you might be able to look back into time, like the TARDIS from Doctor Who. But these time machines don't fly, they stand cold and alone, watching everything, never blinking. Count the stones in the cover image and let prime numbers guide you to unlock your first Quest.

These stones watched lovers part and children grow old. And in their stillness, they remember everything. They carry the weight of forgotten voyages.

They are beautiful. And they are a little bit sad.

That sadness seemed appropriate in 2022 when I led my Celtic Invasion of Scotland to Kilmartin Glen. The group was shrinking due to Covid. The feeling as people left the group.

This song, 'Blink,' was born of that fear, the fear of blinking and losing something beautiful. Of falling in love with someone so radiant, so unique, that you fear time itself. But also…

It's a love song for the moment. It's for every second you choose to stay present, even when it hurts.

Learn more about my song #277 "Blink".

Unlock the secret page.

22:31 - Marc Gunn "Blink" from Come Adventure With Me

That's the end of today's tale, but the song lives on.

Come back next week as we sail the Calf of Man through loss and resilience.

Until then, don't blink. Don't look away.

And may your memories always sing.

26:04 - CREDITS

Thanks for listening to Quest & Chorus. This episode was edited by Mitchell Petersen.

You can follow and listen to the show on my Patreon or wherever you find podcasts. Sign up to my mailing list to learn more about songs featured in this podcast and discover where I'm performing.

Remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about how you can make a positive impact on your environment.

Join the Quest and Sing Along at www.pubsong.com!

#pubstories #doctorwhoblink #kilmartinstones #questandchorus

 


Grab a pint and pull up a stool. PUB SONGS & STORIES is a warm, welcoming corner of the audio world hosted by Celtic & Folk musician Marc Gunn, known to many as The Celtfather. This podcast isn't just a curated playlist; it's an intimate journey into the heart of the music. Each episode feels like a late-night conversation in a cozy pub, where every traditional tune, modern ballad, and rousing drinking song comes with a rich history. Marc explores the narratives woven into the fabric of Celtic and folk music, sharing the tales of the songwriters and the cultural moments that inspired them. You'll hear the music itself, of course, but more importantly, you'll understand the passion and the stories behind each melody and lyric. It's a celebration of musical heritage, a personal journal from the front lines of the folk scene, and a testament to the living culture that thrives in song. Listen to this podcast for a genuine connection to the artists and the timeless tradition of sharing stories through music.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

PUB SONGS & STORIES (Atlanta, Georgia)
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