Saturday night at The Reel, Kirkwall, Orkney

The set ends with scattered applause.

The lull sends a few to the bar,

Someone buys a round for the band,

A few leave with cheery ‘goodnights’,

Newcomers bring the twilight in with them as the door closes.

The musicians quietly strum, pluck, scrape and sing

Until one tune wins and off they go again.