Books & Music April 2023

April 2023

Books & Music#

Books

Books,writingandliteraturehavebeenan integralpartofourlivesinScotland.The oldestsurvivingbookinthecountrydates fromthe11thC,it’salmost1,000yearsold.

Eachmonthwewillsearchoutnewand interestingbookstobringtoyourattention, allwithaScottishtheme.

Thismonthwehavetwobooksfrom WhittlesPubishinganotherfromTippermuir Booksandanonlinetaleoffolklorefrom ourveryownKateMacRitchie.

Wecannotreadeverything,althoughwe tryveryhard,sowearekeentohearyour suggestionsandreviews.

Music

Aswithbooks,musicisabigpartofour everydaylives.Scottishtuneshavebeena biginfluenceonmoderndaymusicfrom Country&WesterntoJazz.

Wehavepickedafewartiststhathave beenwormingtheirwayintoourearsover thelastfewweeksandfeaturedaudioand videotracksinthefollowingpages.

Wearecomingintothesummerfestival seasonandwillbringhighlightsand reviewsforyouinthefollowingmonths.

Aseveryouareinvitedtosuggestwhat isinfluencingyouorappearstobestuck onyourturntable,especiallyifitis somethingnewtous.

Editor@bruhupublishing.com

The Immeasurable Wilds

Alastair Mitchell

Reviewed by Ceri Patterson-Nairn

Towards the end of the 18th century the attention of mapmakers, explorers and travellers turned to the north of Scotland. The mountains that rise north of Stirling formed a formidable barrier for anyone wanting to visit the Highlands, and travellers to the Far North were even rarer: there were no roads at all into most of Sutherland, and Ross and Cromarty until the early ears of the 19th century. Who did go there, and why?

The Immeasurable Wilds an engrossing read; I discovered this with some surprise as I am not someone who is normally absorbed by non-fiction. I anticipated it being interesting, certainly; however, I expected to skimandscan,pickitupandput it down. I thought I would delve intoachapterbecauseIlikedthe sound of it or search the pages for places I have been to. That I would seek a connection to the book through something relatable or to learn more about a particular area of interest. However, unusually, I started right at the beginning and I’m verygladIdid.

basic understanding of their subject and so they skip over details that give context and help put the jigsaw together in the reader’s mind. Other times, the language can be unnecessarily complicated and used to gatekeepknowledge. I have been put off by both in the past when doing research of my own. I think this is why The Immeasurable Wilds is so engaging;itneverassumes.

Often, books which are written to educate end up excluding people. This may be because of the ‘Curse of Knowledge’ which makes experts assume everyone has a

Mitchell writes each chapter as though it is a narrative, breaking up data heavy sections with well selected quotations from his meticulously researched sources. Skilfully weaving them together with respect for the subject matter and the occasional use of wit, with occasional signposting of what’s to come to help bridge the gaps between chapters.

Incredibly,the(notinsignificant) researchcarriedoutforthebook was (as he mentions in the acknowledgments) ‘a solitary effort’. He breathes life into the accompanying sketches and photographs of the great rocky outcrops of the far North, the hostile sea, and the proud people.

He describes the incredible efforts of the early surveyors leaving you feeling a mixture of awe at what they accomplished

mingled with anger on behalf of the people who lived in these wildspaces.Thechaptersfollow a clear path, he navigates you deftly through centuries of Scotland’s history with the thread of commodification, displacement, and profit sitting clearlythroughout.

Whether you have an interest in Scotland’s landscape or her history, or if you are looking to read an informative text that readslikeanovel;youwillnotbe

The Tale of The Wee Mowdie

Translated by Matthew MacKie.

The Tale of the Wee Mowdie (translatedbyMatthewMackie) was published by Tippermuir in 2017. It was Tippermuir’s first foray in to Scotslanguagebooksforchildren;itwillnotbethelastnowthatwe havegotourScotsmojoinfullgear.

The story itself is a classic tale published originally in German in 1989 by Werner Holzwarth, and illustrated by Wolf Erlbruch. Tippermuir’s is one of dozens of translations that the book has experienced in the decades since it was first published, which has seen the story read by millions of children and adults across the world.

Matthew’s translation of this iconic tale – righty described as a ‘modern classic’ - has been greatly received in its Scots language form and sales continue at apace, as general book sales and, increasingly, as a resource for teaching in schools. The book was shortlisted for Scots Bairns’ Book o the Year in the Scots Language Awards2019.

TofindoutmoreaboutTippermuir

Thestoryitselfisadelight.HereitissummarisedinScots: An awfu stramash befaws the wee mowdie, yin bricht sunny morn. It looks a bit like a link sasser, an the warstotisitfawsrichtontaehisheid.Oorgalluswee herogangsoottaespeirwhaskeechedonhisheid.

Outrageously funny, this cracking little book is an absolutedelight.Itnotonlygiveschildrenthechance to talk about one of their favourite topics for discussion, it is also an intriguing way of introducing theideaofanaturetrail,takingthemonatripthatwill leavethembothlaughingandlearning.

Tippermuirhasgoneontopublishseveralotherbooksin Scotsandhasplansformanymore.

Fireside Fairy Tales

By Kate MacRitchie

You may know something about Scottish folklore, you may not but either way we suggest you immerse yourself in this book of short stories.

The term modern day fairytale can conjure up many differing thoughts. How can a fairytale be modern? To find out we suggest you take up with Kate’s book of short stories, settle down and find out how she manages to bring new tales and thoughts on ancient traditions.

The “otherworld” may not be for everyone but the authors style will engage with even the most stubborn. Her writing style takes us gently by the hand through places of magic and allow us to believe that they may exist outside the covers of the book.

She obviously has a wealth of knowledge for Scottish folklore and her love for the subject shines bright across every page. It is not often we can be entertained and educated without even noticing.

You don’t have to take our word for it here is a quote from another happy reader; These tales will sink beneath your skin and leave you both entranced and unsettled. Each story is rich with atmosphere, depth, and magic. Kate's prose will transport you to another time. I found myself submerged in her world so wholly, I'm now at a loss for what to do with myself. I loved how at the end of each story she offered a description of the folktales and creatures she researched. This book of fairy tales is both dark and hopeful. The perfect addition to any library, and the ideal choice for readers of magic, lore, and stories passed down through generations. Magical and wild, a beautiful read.

The Fabulous Flotilla

By Paul Strachan

Reviewed by Kate MacRitchie

WhatisScotland’sgreatest achievement?Ifyouanswered ‘thetelephone’or‘whisky’ before‘theIrrawaddyFlotilla Company’,thenallowPaul Strachan’s The Fabulous Flotilla: Scotland’s Adventure on the Rivers of Burma toremedyyour ignorance.

The Fabulous Flotilla recounts thecaptivatingbutlittle-known storyoftheIrrawaddyFlotilla Company,anentirelyScottish enterpriseinBurma,and, accordingtotheauthor,“oneof Scotland’sgreatest achievements”.Afewpagesin andit’seasytoseewhy.

Strachantreatsthereaderto ahistoricalupriverjourney, bringingtheground-breaking paddlesteamersthatmadenew travelroutespossibleandthe “creativemindsandinnovative spirits”oftheirinventorstolife. WhatemergesisScotland’s significantbutlargelyforgotten

impactonBurma,andthe intricaciesofasharedpast whoseripplescanstillbefelt today.

Strachannavigatesthese hithertounchartedwaterswith ease,beinguniquelyplacedto tellthisstory.Comingfroma longlineofGlasgow

shipbuilders,heleftScotlandat 18toworkforaScottish engineeringfirminRangoon.In 1995herevivedtheIrrawaddy Flotillacompanyandrestored anoriginalClyde-builtsteamer.

The Fabulous Flotilla issplit intotwosections.Thefirst comprisesahistoryofthe IrrawaddyFlotillaCompanyand thesolvingofakeyproblem: howtosafely(andprofitably) navigateBurma’s“landof rivers”—specifically,the treacherouslyunpredictable watersoftheIrrawaddy?

Thelatterhalfofthebookis pepperedwithpersonal anecdotesoftheauthor’slifein Burma.Strachan’sfirst-hand experiencelendscredibilityto hisassertionthatScotsmadea positivecontributiontolifein Burmaduringthe‘goldenera’of theFabulousFlotilla.Forthe betterpartofacentury,the IrrawaddyFlotillaCompany ferried6millionpeopleper year—countingroyaltyand celebritiesamongits passengers—withoutlossoflife.

Theauthorclearlyfeelsa deepaffectionforBurma’s nativepeople,itsmajestic scenery,richtraditions,and thosewhomadeahomethere. However,Strachanpointsout

thattheseyearsofcolonial enterprisearen’tviewedasa ‘goldenera’byall.Inthesecond halfofthebook,Strachan chartshisrevivalofthe IrrawaddyFlotillaCompany alongsideBurma’srising religiousandsocio-economic conflicts,andthescapegoating oftheflotillaassymbolof colonialoppression.

Thepersonaltonewon’t appealtoreaderswhoprefer theirhistorybooks dispassionate,butStrachan clearlycaresdeeplyabouthis subjectandthewelfareof Burmaanditsinhabitants.The storyofScottishmerchantsin Burmaisanichesubjectthat couldeasilybecomedry,but Strachan’spassionforhis subjectinjectslifeintothe narrative.Evocativephotos, paintings,andmapsalsooffera welcomevisualaccompaniment thatenrichesratherthan distractsfromthestory.

Giventherecent2021coupin Myanmar,thisfascinatingfirsthandaccountoffersaunique perspectiveonacountry embroiledinethnicstrife,and successfullyrevivesinterestin Scotland’sremarkablebut forgottenexploitsinSoutheast Asia.

Black Cuillin at Perth Concert Hall

May 6th 2023

Duncan Chisholm

I was delighted to have been asked by The Wittance to write a short piece about both my upcoming concert at Perth Concert Hall on 6th May and also about my latest album ‘Black Cuillin’

The concert in Perth will be the third of this year focusing on ‘Black Cuillin’and one we are all looking forward to. The premiere of ‘Black Cuillin’took place at a sold out Glasgow Royal Concert

Hall during Celtic Connections and then we performedAberdeen Music Hall at the end of March.

The Perth concert will be a very special evening. Playing the Concert Hall in Perth is always special with it’s incredible acoustics and very warm atmosphere and of course the people of Perthshire are incredibly warm also.

editor@bruhupubnlishing.com

On stage we will have an incredible line-up of talent from both traditional and classical music.

RossAinslie, Jarlath Henderson, Hamish Napier, Donald Hay, Patsy Reid, Sorren Maclean,AliceAllen, Greg Lawson and James Mackintosh will all join me for the evening’s concert.

The concept behind the album was to create a soundscape inspired by the

mountain wilderness on the Isle of Skye; to take listeners to the Black Cuillin range in their minds and of course to the iconic ridge itself.

All art has the power to move us but I believe that music alone has the power to transport us to another place or to a different time. To take listeners to the Black Cuillin musically we had to create a soundtrack that was cinematic, epic and expansive

in nature, music that justifiably conveyed the feelings people might have when they are in that landscape.

At the heart of this is being true to yourself, about how you feel individually when looking at a landscape. This could be a joyous feeling, it could be trepidation or perhaps complete peace. I think the music connects with people because if you

mountain true to your own feelings in the creative process then other people understand because they have felt them too.

Once I have decided upon what I want to convey then begins the long process of creating multi-layered pieces of music with tunes at the heart of them.

With Black Cuillin there are many layers of different instrumentation. The

challenge was to create a coherent piece of work that was complex but also very accessible to the listener, I think wesucceeded with this. I am proud of the fact that the more you listen to the album the more you discover, just like being in the Black Cuillin itself.

I have been into the Black Cuillin a few times in my life but the first time I climbed there was in 2019. The first lockdown came in March

editor@bruhupubnlishing.com

2020 and it meant that the inspirational process changed for me. It moved away from visiting Skye and taking photographs and film to working from my memory and from books at home. I wrote with RossAinslie and Hamish Napier over zoom to create the first initial tunes and pencil sketches for Black Cuillin. This whole process happened during lockdown and as such we resolved to create music that celebrated the sense of freedom we all

were all yearning for at that time, Black Cuillin had to be the music of the high mountains.

Keeping true to that resolve drove us forward in the right direction and over the next 18 months the album gradually formed piece by piece.

The concerts are now the most important focus for me, creating a sound on stage that matches the expansive sound on the album.At Perth Concert Hall on 6th May we intend to do exactly that!!

ReadmoreaboutDuncan,checkouthismusic,videos, getticketsforthePerthConcertHallgigandfuture tour&liveperformancesonthebuttonbelow.

Shooglenifty are playing on Friday 12th

The annual Skye Live music festival takes place in Portree on May 12-13th. It could well be sold out by the time you read this but follow the link below and you may be in luck.

If you can’t get a ticket we have plenty of Skye music and pictures throughout this edition of The Wittance. We appreciate it’s not the same as being there but it is the best we can do but we are sure it you will enjoy it all.

Skye Live Tickets and Info

Niteworks

Throughoutthismonth’seditionwehavealotof featuresfeaturingtheIsleofSkye.Whatbetter thantopullthemalltogetherandfeaturelive musicinavideoshowingoffthebeautyofThe Quiraing.

NiteworksperformedthisaspartofSkyeLive 2021.Ifyouhavenotseenorhearditbeforeyou areinaforanaudiovisualfeast.Thebandarefrom Skye,theirapproachtowritinggaelicsongswith bagpipesandfiddlesandintroducingtechnoand houserhythmsbringarealedgeandfeelingto theirperformances.

Thebandwillbeontouroverthesummer.

checkherefordates.

Niteworks Live at The Quiraing.