The idea was to find an a-cappella bothy ballad & breathe life into it. Bothy Ballads being the entertainment of farmers during the harvest, etc. was the link. In my quest to find a Caithnessian bothy ballad, all roads lead to Nancy Nicolson who couldn't answer my question but instead offered up the use of her own song 'The Fairmer'. Perfect. I'd struck gold. The words are brilliant. She sang it to me in her living room, I recorded it with my phone (with her permission) and took it away to go all Disney on it. The hardest part was the lack of rigid timing but I also feel like that might be it's greatest strength in the end.

The Fairmer // Reimagined - The Unexpected Garden

A song of consolation, assembled from the fragments of a trip to the Outer Hebrides.

Wild Angelica (demo)

Baritone, Jeff Tarver
Folk Songs From Somerset (1906)

O Waly, Waly

McKechnie's Farwell

"Heart of the Gordon Clan" is a traditional Scottish ballad composed by Xak Stahl, featuring the distinctive sound of Scottish bagpipes. This folk-inspired song pays homage to the Gordon clan and their rich history, set to a melody that evokes the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

The ballad's structure, with its verses, chorus, and bridge, follows a classic storytelling format. The addition of Scottish bagpipes lends an authentic and stirring audio backdrop, their haunting wail perfectly complementing the song's themes of heritage and clan pride.

The lyrics, written in a style reminiscent of Scottish dialect, paint a vivid picture of Scotland's landscape, from heather-covered hills to lochs and glens, intertwining it with the story of the Gordon family. The song speaks of the clan's pride, legacy, and resilience through generations, emphasizing their strong connection to their ancestral lands and traditions.

Imagery in the ballad includes references to tartans, ancient castles, and the sound of bagpipes echoing through the night, all iconic symbols of Scottish culture. The lyrics also touch on the clan's fighting spirit, suggesting a history of warfare and struggle.

The chorus serves as a powerful refrain, affirming the Gordon clan's enduring strength and spirit. It uses the metaphor of a beating heart to represent their lasting legacy, with the bagpipes likely swelling to emphasize these moments.

Overall, "Heart of the Gordon Clan" is a heartfelt musical tribute to Scottish heritage, family bonds, and the enduring spirit of clan loyalty. The combination of poetic lyrics, traditional ballad structure, and the emotive sound of Scottish bagpipes creates a stirring celebration of the Gordon clan's place in Scottish tradition, all underpinned by their noble motto of courage over deceit (Animo non Astutia).

Lyrics:

In the heather hills wi' pride so grand
A tale o' the Gordon clan
From the lochs to the sea
Their legacy flows free

Ancestors o' old wi' hearts so bold
Fought in the sun an' in the cold
Wi' tartan they stand
All over this land

Oh the Gordons' heart beats strong
In their blood flows the ancient song
Through the years they'll stan' tall
Ne'er falter never fall

From auld castles to the glens they roam
The clan's fire burns like stone
Bagpipes wail through the night
Echoes o’ their might

Holdin' history in their haun'
Speakin' o’ a time now gone
Yet the spirit aye remains
In the heart's endless flames

Oh the Gordons' heart beats strong
In their blood flows the ancient song
Through the years they'll stan' tall
Ne'er falter never fall

Heart of the Gordon Clan

Travelling by Wolf Light  is the third piece in Wild Cello - a new beginner cello book published by Kevin Mayhew: https://www.kevinmayhew.com/products/wild-cello

Travelling by Wolf Light

"The Anvil of Love" is a Scottish Highland-inspired ballad that tells the bittersweet story of youthful love and a journey to Gretna Green, where dreams of marriage were forged—yet never fulfilled. With its driven tempo and lively fiddle leading into haunting harp melodies and wistful vocals, the song blends the energy of the Highlands with deep emotional reflection. Inspired by the spirit of Scotland’s wild landscapes and romantic history, it’s a tribute to love, memory, and the places that leave their mark on our hearts.

The Anvil of Love

Happy Easter Sunday! Here's my cover of 'Wild Mountain Thyme'.

Wild Mountain Thyme

Scottish singer-songwriter. Folk-rooted, mostly acoustic - guitar, keys, and whatever else feels honest. Writing songs is the most soul-baring and rewarding thing I get to do.

I like many styles and finding communication through song.

Xak Stahl: Alchemist of Sound, Architect of Emotion

Xak Stahl is a genre-blurring music artist, sonic storyteller, and relentless experimenter. Every track he creates is a new world—a kaleidoscope of indie folk, alt-pop, electronica, and global flavors—infused with raw emotion and boundless curiosity. Xak’s music isn’t just heard; it’s felt.

From Shadow to Spotlight

For Xak, music is metamorphosis. His journey began in the shadows, transmuting heartbreak and struggle into songs that glow with hope. Early anthems like “Neon Dreams” and “Rising Through the Darkness” invite listeners to find their own light. His newest project, Major Arcana, channels the mysteries of the Tarot—each song an archetype, each lyric a step along the path from the Fool’s first leap to the wisdom of The World.

More Than Music: A Multisensory Universe

But Xak isn’t confined to sound. As a visual artist and writer, he crafts immersive stories that spill across genres and languages—sometimes haunting, sometimes playful, always honest. Whether he’s conjuring lush soundscapes, weaving bilingual lyrics, or creating striking visuals, Xak’s art dares you to feel deeper and dream wilder.

An Invitation to Transformation

Join Xak Stahl on a sonic odyssey that blurs borders—between genres, between artforms, between you and the music. Each release is an invitation to explore, to heal, to become. For Xak, every song is a spell, every album a universe. The only question is: are you ready to step inside?

I’m Orla Callan, a singer-songwriter from Dublin with a love for blending ethereal sounds, folk, and world music. Growing up with musician parents, music has always been my compass. I’m inspired by my Irish roots, travels, and the stories I find along the way. My songs are about exploring the world, embracing its beauty, and getting lost in the magic of sound.

You can find out more about me and about how and why I write songs at www.fergusmcneill.com. 

There are also some live demos on my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCxrK5yGwzJRfczDtg3_S9wg

Buy Clan vinyls here: https://joannaborrett.bandcamp.com/follow_me 
Visit www.joannaborrett.com for sheet music sales.
Contact: jbcontact@btinternet.com

Joanna Borrett is a composer and cellist. She composes for strings and voice. All music on the site can be bought through her website: joannaborrett.com

New tracks tagged #ScottishFolk