Gaelic song traditions exhibition arrives in Benbecula

Visitors can learn more about sacred song traditions of the Western Isles region and explore sound recordings, film, objects, a digital archive, a sound map and interactive virtual tour.

The Seinn Spioradail: Sacred Soundscapes of the Highlands and Islands exhibition was curated by Dr Frances Wilkins, a senior lecturer in ethnomusicology (the study of music in its social and cultural contexts) 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 different types of Gaelic song, including hymnody, Gaelic psalmody and spiritual bàrdachd, which are diminishing in Hebridean communities.

Dr Wilkins said: “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 added: “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.”

Dr Wilkins added: “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 opening event will take place on Friday 15 November from 5.30-7.30pm. Entry is free with refreshments provided.

Please email museumU&B@cne-siar.gov.uk to reserve a place.

The exhibition will run from November 16 2024 until March 15 2025.

More information can be found at: www.seinn.org&source=gmail&ust=1731161286028000&usg=AOvVaw2gRVyG9zfO0_KSf6SLhnx6">www.seinn.org and www.outerhebridesheritage.org.uk&source=gmail&ust=1731161286028000&usg=AOvVaw1fmQT9benBU72nzrLzQ6U0">www.outerhebridesheritage.org.uk.