A sound journey through Scotland
Digital Release
01.08.24
Hudson Records are proud to announce Jenny Sturgeon’s new album
paths.made.walking which will be released in August 1st, 2024.
In summer 2023 Jenny Sturgeon set off on a 864km walk through Scotland,
from Kirk Yetholm near the border with England, to Cape Wrath Lighthouse, at
the far north west of Scotland’s mainland. Running the length of Scotland
mainland, The Scottish National Trail combines sections of many of Scotland’s
official walking routes including Southern Upland Way, West Highland Way, Rob
Roy Way and Cape Wrath Trail. This route, devised by outdoors writer Cameron
McNeish, is an unofficial walking route that charts the lowlands and highlands of
Scotland, weaving along old drove roads, coffin roads, farm tracks and canal
ways, as well as sections without paths or marked trails.
Recording a sound diary everyday en route, Jenny captured snippets of her
journey through Scotland. From the sound of Osprey chicks begging for food
and the afternoon call of Short Eared Owls, to mountain bikers speeding
downhill along the Southern Upland Way, and heavy downpours on the tent
canvas. This collection of located sound recordings captures Scotland as a
snapshot of unique 2-3 minute pieces, with the time of each recording
corresponding to the number of kilometres Jenny walked that day (6 seconds of
recording for every km walked). There are 2 exceptions; an 8 minute recording,
butter.midfield.gurgled, of a Song Thrush and Blackbird singing at dusk near the
Loch of the Lowes (note the Song Thrush mimicry of a Tawny Owl call), and a 5
minute recording, minder.booms.open, of a resonant tunnel under the M8
motorway along the Union Canal, both of which offer a longer pause for
listeners’ consideration.
Not expecting to capture such interesting and varied sounds on the walk,
Jenny’s intention was never to share these recordings, but simply to capture a
daily sound on the journey, as an audio diary for the future. However, on closer
listening upon returning home, Jenny reasoned that these recordings mark an
interesting and diverse collection of the sounds of Scotland at a snapshot of
time.
Each track is named for the what3words location where it was recorded.
What3words have divided the world into 3 metre squares, which are identified
by a unique combination of three words, making it easy to share and find exact
locations.
Alongside the paths.made.walking album, listeners can also read a daily
postcard that Jenny wrote and sent as a memory of the trip.
For the best listening experience use headphones and listen at a volume which
mirrors ambient sounds outside (around 1/3 of the full volume). We hope you
enjoy the journey.
paths.made.walking is released on Hudson Records on August 1st 2024 on all
digital platforms.
