Vocalists and musicians from across the UK and Ireland collaborated during a residency in Barscobe house in Galloway in September 2018.

During the residency the artists produced an original arrangement of Oran Bagraidh. The song was published along with the music ‘When the Kye Comes Hame’ by lowland poet James Hogg – the ‘Ettrick Shepherd’ (1770 – 1835). Though the song is relatively recent the melody is believed to be much older and it is this melody that the artists used.

Taking informed guesses as to pronunciation, the song is sung in its original format in a Lingua Gadelica*, combining Scottish and Irish Gaelic elements which, from the evidence of local place names, was the case with Gaelic in Galloway. The song is also rendered in part in Welsh phonetics, reflecting mention of Welsh place names in the song and the fact that early Welsh was spoken in South West Scotland until as late as the 12th century.

The artists then took the song as a springboard for further work which explores commonalities and differences between musical styles and languages, within the context of the historical diversity of Galloway. They worked on original compositions and arrangements inspired by Oran Bagraidh, the landscape and each other. Taking the theme of multiple identities they explored commonalities and differences between languages, regional histories and musical sensibilities, dipping into traditional, experimental and electronic.

*a phrase coined by Scottish Gaelic/ Irish poet Rody Gorman during the residency.

website

1. Òran Bagraidh – Various – 4:25
2. Mouthmusic – Gwyneth Glyn, Lorcán Mac Mathúna, Josie Duncan – 3:31
3. Pais Dinogad – Gwyneth Glyn – 5:00
4. Uryen Erechwydd Part A – Bragod – 5:19
5. Beannacht Uaim Siar – Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde – 4:03
6. Laoi na Seilge – Lorcán Mac Mathúna, Rody Gorman, Conor Caldwell – 5:40
7. Josie and Conor – Josie Duncan, Conor Caldwell – 3:51
8. Barnaby Brown – Ardchattan Bliss – 3:27
9. Lord Gregory – Josie Duncan, Conor Caldwell, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde – 5:59
10. Morning of Blood – MacGillivray – 4:05
11. Clontarf – Lorcán Mac Mathúna, Barnaby Brown – 3:03
12. Uryen Erechwydd Part B – Bragod, Ben Seal – 4:10
13. Air Cnoc Bhàrr Sguab – Rody Gorman, Conor Caldwell –  3:11

The multi-lingual collaboration sees Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, English and Scots vocals alongside northern triplepipes and lyres, electronics, shimmering soundscapes and traditional instruments, juxtaposing the ancient with the very latest technology.

Award winning Scots/ Gaelic singer Josie Duncan, lauded Irish song archaeologist Lorcán Mac Mathúna, former Welsh poet laureate and singer Gwyneth Glyn, celebrated Irish Sean-Nós singer Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, Belfast fiddler Conor Caldwell, ancient instrument virtuoso Barnaby Brown, poet, singer and performance artist MacGillivray, widely published poet Rody Gorman and medieval Welsh duo Bragod have created work that is surprising, authentic, rooted in history yet fresh and personal in perspective.

Recorded and produced by Ben Seal
Mastered by Calum Malcolm
Commissioned by Knockengorroch