Of the Land is performed by the students of the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton alongside composer and pianist Mhairi Hall. They are joined by Mike Vass (cello da spalla), Charlie McKerron (fiddle), Mairearad Green (accordion and pipes) and Fraser Stone (drums).

How do communities care for their people, nature and place? Of The Land is a musical exploration of community experiences and practices in Badenoch and Strathspey as they respond to climate and nature crises. Mhairi Hall’s compositions build on a long tradition in the Scottish Highlands of music that expresses stories of place, relationships, conflict and care. Through her deep engagement with a University of Edinburgh social science research project, Of the Land offers a powerful musical reflection on the giving and receiving of care that accompany efforts to repair both social and natural environments.

Credit: Of the Land is part of The BuSC project, a University of Edinburgh research project funded by the ESRC’s ACCESS Network and The Cairngorms National Park through the Cairngorms 2030 programme. It has been made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. With thanks also to the research participants: the Carrbridge Community Orchard, Lynbreck Croft, Wildland Ltd and their wider community who live and work in Badenoch and Strathspey.