Jingle Bells, Tinsel and Gaelic Song

27th August 2007

Christmas has come early to the Highlands as Unity Recording Studio at

Auldearn has been transformed into Santa's Grotto so Fiona Mackenzie, the Mairi Mhòr Fellow for The Highland Council, and Scotland's top musicians can get into the festive spirit as they record the first ever Gaelic Christmas Album.

Taking a break from recording Fiona said: "This is a totally unique project and a very exciting one at that. I have been bombarded by requests from all over the world as well as from teachers in schools in Scotland for material to use at Christmas but until now there has been nothing available."

The 35 song double album is on course to be launched at the 2007 Mod in Lochaber making it the ideal gift for Christmas.

Fiona is keen that this album will appeal to all ages and tastes in music, not just those with an interest in Gaelic or traditional music. To achieve this, she has managed to secure the services of Irvin Duguid, to produce the album.

Irvin, although brought up playing traditional fiddle in Macduff, now works in rock and musical theatre in Glasgow and throughout Britain and is bringing a bright, fresh and very different flavor to the album whilst still respecting the tradition. He has persuaded some of the very best musicians from all over Scotland to guest on the album including, John Goldie, Ed Macfarlane, Jim Drummond, as well as Simone Welsh, Gary Innes and singers Maggie Macdonald, James Graham, Anna Massie, Hamish Napier and Fiona's daughter Katie who also sings and plays clarsach.

Fiona said: "Working with such world class musicians on such a unique and exciting project has been an amazing experience and we have all learnt so much from each other. We are now all looking forward to finishing the recording and launching the CD at the Mod."

Funding for the album has come from the Scottish Arts Council, the Council's Mairi Mhòr Fellowship and Greentrax, the largest Scottish music label came onboard too.

The Highland Council's Chairman of the Gaelic Committee, Councillor Hamish Fraser said: "Fiona and her fellow musicians are doing something very unique that will appeal to lots of people, even those who would perhaps not normally choose to listen to Gaelic traditional music. The festive CD will highlight the wealth of talent we have in the Highlands and will further enhance the excellent reputation we have of being at the fore of contemporary Gaelic culture. I am sure many copies of the album will be unwrapped on Christmas day."

Photo
Fiona Mackenzie with Irvin Duguid (Producer) and Alan Harfield (Recording Engineer) working on the first Gaelic Christmas Album at Unity Recording Studio