Scotland’s maritime history is deeply intertwined with a rich heritage of instrumental music and song. Based on extensive research into coastal working life, this illustrated lecture-performance explores the music that emerged from the 1700s onwards in the Scottish whaling and fishing industries and the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Key Highlights:

• Featured Repertoires: Maritime tunes, dance music, and song traditions.

• Live Demonstrations & Archive Material: Accompanied by rare archival audio, live concertina performances, historical anecdotes, photography, and videography.

“Frances had the audience in the palm of her hand, as she entertained us with tales of musical mariners from the north.”

— Caithness, Orkney & Shetland Association, Aberdeen 2026

Scotland possesses a rich tradition of sacred song that has shaped community life for generations. Based on field research since 2018, this illustrated lecture-performance explores these sacred soundscapes, their social roles, and living oral traditions.

Key Highlights:

• Featured Repertoires: Gaelic psalmody, hymnody, and spiritual bàrdachd.

• Live Demonstrations & Archive Material: Can draw on field recordings or be co-presented with outstanding Gaelic singer Kristine Kennedy.

“The whole presentation was fascinating, informative and very beautiful with Kristine's powerfully emotional singing, just glorious!! It was a truly special event.”

— Gaelic Society of Inverness 2026

An exploration of the fascinating intersection between traditional music, folk belief, and the supernatural in Scottish history. Going back to early history and pre-Christian traditions, this illustrated lecture-performance examines how music has been used to navigate the unseen world.

Key Highlights:

• Featured Repertoires: Musical rituals and early sacred lore, Shetland trowie tunes and songs from the otherworld.

• Live Demonstrations & Archive Material: Accompanied by archival audio field recordings, live instrumental music on concertina, and captivating folk narratives.