TRAVELLING from Edinburgh to London, London to Madrid, Madrid to Havana, I was full of anticipation. Once I stepped off the plane and was reunited with my guitar, that anticipation ratcheted up all the more.

Supported by Unison Scotland, FBU Scotland, Unite Hospitality Scotland, BFAWU, PCS Scotland and the Peace and Justice Project, I travelled to Havana from November 19-29 as the only Scottish musician taking part in the 40th edition of the Havana Biennial.

I dived headfirst into the vibrant cultural scenery of the Biennial — literally, three hours after leaving the airport, I was on stage in El Antonia in the heart of Old Havana. I was part of a delegation that included artists and musicians from Ecuador, France and Switzerland — including German rock and blues band Keimzeit.