The Seinn Spioradail: Sacred Soundscapes of the Highlands and Islands exhibition was curated by Dr Frances Wilkins, a Senior Lecturer in Ethnomusicology at the Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen. Dr Wilkins has spent the last six years undertaking fieldwork in the West Highlands and Western Isles exploring sacred and spiritual singing from the region.
To help safeguard the traditions Dr Wilkins has been compiling and recording Gaelic song traditions, including hymnody, Gaelic psalmody and spiritual bàrdachd, which are diminishing in Hebridean communities, to create an archive and bring the music to a wider audience.
The exhibition will run at Museum nan Eilean in Lionacleit, Benbecula from 16 November 2024 until 15 March 2025.
Dr Wilkins says,
“While the contexts for singing are currently in decline, the music continues to be a soundscape to a way of life for many people. The purpose of this exhibition is to explore how sacred singing was, and continues to be, integral to many aspects of community life, and to highlight the wealth of hymns, psalms and spiritual songs being sung in the region today.”
Co-curator designer Ronan Martin adds,
"it’s been a privilege to work with the material collected by Dr Wilkins and learn more about this remarkable tradition, which plays such an important part in many people’s daily lives."
Locally composed Gaelic hymns, which are integral to church life in the southern Hebrides, are a particular focus in the exhibition.
One contributor to the project, Pauline MacDonald, from Askernish in South Uist, expressed the importance of the tradition for her, saying
‘to find yourself in church singing hymns that have a sense of place is unique. Other hymns are universal, heard and sung everywhere. It is a special privilege to have music which not only belongs, but also has its source here.’
Many of the sound recordings, photographs and videos made during the project form the basis of a website and online digital archive, developed in partnership with the Open Virtual Worlds team at St Andrews University.
Dr Wilkins adds
“Doing the research in the Hebrides was an incredible experience. I have met so many inspiring people and am very grateful to everyone who has been involved and helped me with the project. I am pleased that my research and its publication is playing a part in the preservation of these unique song traditions.”
“I will be at the opening and look forward to returning to Uist and meeting some of the project’s contributors again.”
“The exhibition would not be possible without financial support from the British Academy, Carnegie Trust, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and the support and valuable input of staff at Museum and Tasglann nan Eilean.”
The exhibition opening event will take place on Friday 15 November from 5:30-7:30pm at Museum nan Eilean, Lionacleit. Entry is free with refreshments provided.
Please email museumU&B@cne-siar.gov.uk to reserve a place.
Opening hours at Museum nan Eilean are:
- Tuesday: 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
- Wednesday: 10am - 1pm
- Thursday: 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm
- Friday: 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm
- Saturday: 10am - 3.30pm
- Sunday and Monday - CLOSED
More information can be found at: Seinn Spioradail: Sacred Soundscapes of Highland and Island Communities and Outer Hebrides Heritage Services.