Cliffs

The St Kilda archipelago, located 50 miles west of the Outer Hebrides and evacuated 90 years ago this year, exercises an endless fascination for artists and musicians due largely to its remoteness and the way of life of the people who lived there. It was also the scene where the last great auk – or garefowl as it was known locally – was killed in 1840.

Initiated by fiddler and vocalist Ewan MacDonald, of the Band of Burns, and his father, who are descended from one of the men who killed the last great auk, Garefowl is an international collaboration brought together to mark these two anniversaries by interpreting five St Kildan songs and three modern compositions written on or about the islands. Weaving various members of the fiddle and fretted instrument families, jaw harp and electronica, the musicians – recorded remotely during lockdown – create a largely atmospheric work, interspersed with work song, dance and march tunes. It’s a tough listen but it conveys the sense of windswept remoteness of what was undoubtedly a harsh environment.