Western Isles band Peat and Diesel give up the booze as they Go Sober for October

They are taking part in Macmillan Cancer Support’s Go Sober for October campaign.

Calum ‘Boydie’ MacLeod, Innes Scott and Uilly Macleod formed the band in 2018 after regular Saturday music sessions in their homes in Stornoway became popular on social media.

The boys, a fisherman, an electrician, and a delivery driver, shot to fame last year when they won ‘Live Act of the Year’ at the Scot Trad Music Awards.

In solidarity with 31-year-old fisherman Boydie, the boys in the band and the crew of his fishing boat, Comrade, have decided to go on the wagon.

With no gigs in the pipeline and no parties to attend, Boydie said: “Apart from the rain out at sea it’s going to be a dry month.

“No one is saying it’s going to be easy but with the band and my crew joining in, it will certainly help.

“Uilly has a big birthday this month, so we’re going to have to celebrate with a cup of coffee and leave the partying to a later date.”

On the band’s Facebook page there are lots of good luck and cheeky messages from fans and supporters.

Uilly said: “I think I’ll cope fine with going sober but I’m not sure about Boydie. He likes his beer! I’m more of a gin and tonic man myself and Innes is tea total so this will be a breeze to him.

“I turn 30 on October 25, so I guess celebrations will need to take place in November.

“Macmillan Cancer Support, are a much-loved charity across the Western Isles and support a lot of people in the community so it’s great to be doing something for them.”

Unable to get together because of the pandemic, Uilly said: “We had a gig on the back of a trailer at the start of lockdown just to try to lift people’s spirits a wee bit but since then it’s been hard.

“We managed to meet once when the restrictions were eased and had a few practices. Now, of course, we can’t meet at all because we are from three different households.

“I usually like a drink to wind down at the end of a hard week, so I’ll need to take up something else to relax a bit.

“It’s all for a good cause so we will be reminding ourselves of that throughout. Anything people can donate to our page, is very much appreciated, thank you.”

Shirlie Geddes, Macmillan cancer Support’s senior fundraising manager in the north of Scotland, said: “We can’t thank the members of Peat and Diesel enough for taking part in our Go Sober fundraiser. Thank you also to the fishing boat, Comrade.

“The band are very popular and well-known so I am sure there will be lots of support from their fan base.

“It’s such a difficult time for charities just now so their support is very much appreciated and I’m sure they’ll be able to catch up on their favourite tipples once October is out the way.

“Happy 30th birthday to Uilly when it comes and a massive thank you from everyone at Macmillan. Good luck!”

Macmillan Cancer Support is doing everything it can to help address the immediate and unique challenges that having cancer during this pandemic brings, but it needs support. Donations are vital to enable the charity to continue to be there for people living with cancer.

If you would like to donate, go to Peat & Diesel’s Go Sober page

It’s not too late to sign up and try a Sober(ish) October and raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

For details, go to Go Sober