Land of the Standing Stones

Homecoming 2009

Aberdeenshire Council is joining the biggest ever programme of events co-ordinated to mark St Andrew's Day, Scotland's National Day. More than 40 events will take place across Scotland from 26-30 November as part of the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Arts Development Team has commissioned renowned local fiddler Paul Anderson to compose a piece of music which captures the spirit of Aberdeenshire and provides a vibrant and creative dimension to Scotland’s Homecoming celebrations.

Paul’s work, Land of the Standing Stones, has been inspired by the standing stones near his home, and the large number of such sites that are such a particular feature of the landscape of Aberdeenshire. Land of the Standing Stones is an evocative slow air which encapsulates much of the pride and emotion felt by Scots around the globe about their home and place of origin.

The north east of Scotland, as the seat of Scotland’s fishing industry, provides a natural link to our patron saint and the principle of engagement and inclusion through musical culture.

click here to listen to the music file
(.mp3 file type, approx 2.2 MB)

watch Paul Anderson talking about 'Land of the Standing Stones' (mov)

 

The tune will act as the thread that will unite Aberdeenshire in celebration of St Andrew, and will be “gifted” in a range of ways to other musicians and local people within Aberdeenshire’s towns and villages over the autumn months.

The first stage of the project sees a further seven professional musicians being invited to rework the original Land of the Standing Stones composition, and a new large scale work that explores the instruments of traditional Scottish music.

Please check this website over the coming weeks for details of the evolving project strands and ways in which you and your community can get involved.

Music and movies for Land of the Standing Stones are now available as a free subscription in itunes. Click on the itunes link to subscribe.