At the end of a Perfect Day

This is an interview about our upcoming piece at Celtic Connections 26th January, Barony Halls 7:30pm. We would love to see you along at the gig - it will be amazing. They managed to say my name wrong and the name of the piece however outside of that it's great! https://www.celticconnections.com/event/1/blazin-fiddles-with-simon-thoumire-dave-milligan-alana-nicaongais

Dol Fodha Na Grèine - Celtic Connections 26th January, Barony Halls 7:30pm.

I’m delighted to announce the premiere of my latest work, Ceilearadh, at the Piping Live Festival on Thursday 14th August at 1:30pm in the Bothy tent. This collection of three Highland Bagpipe Sonatas represents something genuinely new in the piping repertoire – extended compositions that bridge traditional and contemporary approaches whilst drawing deeply from our Gaelic heritage.

Special Thanks

I must begin by expressing my gratitude to Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig (the Gaelic Arts Fund) whose generous support made this project possible. Their funding allowed me to undertake essential research in South Uist, working alongside Gaelic speakers and tradition bearers to ensure these compositions are rooted in authentic cultural understanding.

My thanks also go to Mairi MacMillan, whose knowledge of traditional Gaelic culture and bird lore proved invaluable. Coming from an indigenous Gaelic family where birds were integral to daily life – marking seasons, protecting animals, and indicating appropriate times for harvesting around nesting patterns – Mairi shared not just the poetry itself, but the lived cultural context that gave these verses their meaning.

About Ceilearadh

Each sonata draws inspiration from historic Gaelic poetry about birds, creating a unique bridge between Scotland’s ancient literary traditions and contemporary musical expression. The three works – lasting 10-12 minutes each – are written from a bagpiper’s perspective but extend beyond conventional ceòl mòr, incorporating bagpipe techniques and movements in new ways.

The three sonatas are based on these traditional poems:

A’ Chearc (The Chicken)
Tog, tog, tog,
Tog an rud a dh’fhàg mi,
Ge beag an t-ugh, ge beag an t-ugh,
Tha stà ann, tha stà ann.

Rug, rug, rug a dhà,
Rug, rug, rug a dhà;
Gog, gog, gog, gog, gog, gog, gaog,
Beiridh mise h-uile là,
‘S cha bheir an crodh-laoigh.

A’ Bhuidheag (The Yellowfinch)
A Bhuidheag bhuidhe bhòidheach,
Bheir mise latha Dòmhnach
A’ sguabadh do sheòmair”,
Ars a’ chearc bhuidhe ghòrach.

An Trìlleachan san Tràigh (Oystercatcher on the Shore)
Och, is och, is och mo dhunaidh,
Mis an so an cois na tuinne,
Is mi gun bhuille de’n t-snàmh.

These compositions explore the intersection of nature, language, and music, translating the rhythms and calls of birds as captured in traditional Gaelic verse into extended musical forms. Whilst respecting the deep traditions of Highland piping, the works push creative boundaries to offer something genuinely fresh in the bagpipe literature.

The Performance

The premiere will feature three brilliant pipers, each performing one sonata:

Simon McKerrell performing A’ Bhuidheag
Fionnlagh Mac A Phiocair performing A’ Chearc
Bede Patterson performing An Trìlleachan san Tràigh
The performance follows a discussion about expanding piobaireachd’s horizons, hosted by Josh Dickson and Barnaby Brown, making it part of a broader conversation about the future of our piping traditions.

A' Chearc - Fionnlagh Mac A Phiocair

Four pieces performed by the Strathspey and Surreal Orchestra at the Scots Fiddle Festival on 15th November 2025 in Edinburgh. The pieces feature traditional and composed material - arranged by Simon Thoumire - the idea being to take old tunes and arrange them in new ways. The band on this recording are:

Patsy Reid
Benedict Morris
Edie Elliott 
Adam Sutherland
Rae Maciver
Rachel Henderson
Elisabet McConnell
Naomi Priestnall
Douglas Montgomery
Anika Thomas
Eryn Rae
Laura Wilkie

All arrangements by Simon Thoumire 2025
Find out more at http://www.simonthoumire.com

Cluny Castle feat Patsy Reid

Deil Amang the Fiddlers

Bloobell Polka

Scott Skinner's Compliments to Dr. MacDonald

Dark side of the Loom

Fingals Cave

The Man from Skye & Angus Mackinnon

Very popular pipe tunes and a great set starter.  A good example of a "sensible set" from Tweed.

Buy your cd from www.tweedmusic.co.uk

Wee Man

graeme-mackay

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