St Kilda Mail-boat (An Long Hirteach)

A wonderful album bringing to life the old songs of St Kilda

Academic, Dr Anne Lorne Gillies is also a distinguished Gaelic singer.  Her collection of the old songs from the remote Scottish islands of St Kilda, including many songs  which have never before been recorded.  A new album of both historical and musical importance has been launched by the National Trust For Scotland. ‘The St Kilda Mail Boat’ brings together very old and previously unrecorded songs of St Kilda.

The album has been carefully researched and brings to life the people who once lived in the islands. The 20 songs tell the stories of the many characters who once lived in these remote islands, telling tales of love and longing and loss, work and play, happiness and sorrow.

Featuring:
Anne Lorne Gillies - vocals
Rhona MacKay - clarsach
Eddie McGuire - flute
with Stephen Adam - cello, keyboard; Ben Edom - guitar, bodhrain, vocal backing; Duncan MacColl - bagpipes, guitar; Peggy O'Keefe - keyboard

“The idea for the album first arose when I was performing on board the National Trust for Scotland’s annual Hebridean cruise. The St Kildans have been described as unusually musical and I have tried to reflect this in every one of the songs on the album. The songs are full of local colour, customs, language, preoccupations and a way of thinking that could only have been emanated from this most remote of communities”, said Anne.

The album was literally launched in a custom made mail-boat from the shores of Hirta, the largest of the St Kilda islands. A specially designed mail-boat, just big enough to hold a CD, has been made by piper and wood worker Duncan MacColl. Traditionally the people on St Kilda would send messages in similar vessels, which would reach the shores of Shetland or Scandinavia.