Always on
This project successfully funded on 31st July 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Help Kelly Get Back to Scotland
Cape Coral, Florida, United States
Aim
Oops! Kelly accidentally was denied entry from Scotland. Please help her return and be reunited with her bands, friends, and instruments.
Hello, I am Icarus and I flew too close to the sun. Just kidding, I am Kelly and I misunderstood the UK government’s immigration laws. After a quick trip to Edinburgh airport’s “naughty box", a firm slap on the wrist, and a lot of international travel, I am back in Florida with my parents after being denied entry from Scotland. Here’s how you can help!
Thankfully, I am allowed back to Scotland, but I have to come back on a different visa. A different, very expensive visa. There are a few options that I am looking at both to live in Scotland long-term and to try to get back in time for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next August 2027. The folk duo I’m a part of, Some Strange Harmony, had planned to do our Fringe show called “Another Summer” this August, but we are now looking to reschedule it to next year (see trailer below).
Another Summer - Some Strange Harmony | Edinburgh Fringe 2026 Trailer
Our Fringe show is actually quite spookily resonant with my current situation as our concept deals a lot with the Law (by means of Kafka’s ‘Before the Law’ parable) and how structures are intentionally or unintentionally rebelled against in the hero’s journey of integration and self-realization. Life imitates art, eh?
At the very least, I would like to come back ASAP. I have built a beautiful life in Scotland over the last 6 years I visited:
Full of friendship.
Folk music. (Original & Traditional)
Fox-looking Dog Motherhood.
& Lots of Frolicking!
You know, similar to that show Outlander, but less s*x and time travel.
I digress.
Where was I?
Ah yes, the denied entry.
Seemingly overnight, that whole life was ripped away from me. To say my heart broke would be an understatement. I felt as if a part of me died in that detention center. Not only was I taken away from my friends, a dog I consider my own, and all of my instruments, clothes and personal items, I have also been separated from the Edinburgh folk music community and three music projects I am part of: (@some_strange_harmony, @peaksvalleysband, @oceanterminalband), two of which that cannot perform until I return. I like to think these music projects not only enrich the pre-established traditional Scottish folk scene, but also innovate and expand upon its roots with my contribution of new original music and compositions inspired by my time in Scotland.
I accept full responsibility and accountability for misunderstanding the limitations of the visa I was using to come and go from Scotland and simultaneously look to pave a new way forward with a more secure visa to stay longer term in Scotland.
I will list the types of visas below that I am currently considering, so that you can see where this money would be going, in addition to other fees, such as airfare. Unfortunately, a lot of this decision-making boils down to finances, and I will not know which visa(s) are going to be possible until I see how much money I can raise through the kindness of my friends, family, possible strangers, and my own income. This deportation has happened at a time where I was already struggling financially as I have recently gone through a bankruptcy in January of this year and am currently, for the most part, unemployed besides the occasional acting or video editing one-off freelance employment. So anything you can offer at this time would be greatly appreciated and used to fund, what can only be considered, my celtic rebirth of sorts.
Here are the visas being considered:
SHORT TERM
Temporary Creative Worker Visa - Anywhere from 1-12 months depending on length of sponsorship and employment
Fees:
- Application fee: £340
- Money required to be in my bank account for 28 days before the application to prove I can support myself: £1,270
- Shipping Harmonium from UK to Florida so I can prepare for my show remotely: £150
- Roundtrip Flight from Fort Myers to Miami for Biometrics Package - £200-£600
- Roundtrip flight to Edinburgh from Fort Myers, Florida + Checked Baggage: approx. £500-£1,500
- TOTAL: £3,860 / $5,178
LONG TERM
Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise) - 1-5 Years
Fees (for 5 years):
- Stage 1 (Endorsement): £561
- Stage 2 (Visa Application): £205
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year (total £5,175)
- Roundtrip Flight from Fort Myers to Miami for Biometrics Package - £200-£600
- Money required to be in my bank account for 28 days before the application to prove I can support myself: £1,270
- Roundtrip flight to Edinburgh from Fort Myers, Florida: approx. £500-£1,500
- TOTAL: £9,311 / $12,491
Thank you and stay out of the naughty box, y’all.
- Kelly
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made