On July 3, 2026, Scottish singer Mairi McGillivray released her debut album, “Mo Thìr.” The album consists of 10 songs that tell stories of Islay, including songs of the past as well as two original songs. McGillivray discovered these songs from her own family passing them down as well as her own travels and musical experiences.
The album was produced by John Lowrie. It was engineered by
Gus Stirrat at Solas Sound and mastered by Peter Beckmann at TechnologyWorks.
The photography was done by Nicky Murray and the album artwork was designed by Pearse
O'Halloran.
McGillivray provides the vocals for the album. Other credits
are as follows: Isla Callister on fiddle and backing vocals; Sean Gray on guitar
and backing vocals; John Lowrie on piano and percussion; Kathleen MacInnes as a
guest vocalist; Ewan Baird on bodhrán; and Charlie Stewart on bass.
The album’s title, “Mo Thìr,” translates to “My Land” in the
Scottish Gaelic language. Many of these songs go back several generations. They
carry and preserve the songs, stories, and language of Islay, the southernmost
island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. These songs helped to shape
McGillivray into the singer and connected her to her home in Islay.
While many of the songs are sung in Gaelic, they hold themes
such as love, loss, emigration, and belonging. These themes are carried
throughout a variety of stories, from sailors being lost at sea and lovers
being separated by some distance to people being forced to flee their homes. The
themes and stories not only connect people to Islay, but to other cultures and
people.
Most of the songs are McGillivray’s interpretations of traditional
songs of the past, but she does have two original songs on the album. One is inspired
by the words of Islay bard William Livingstone. The other is inspired by a story
in her family.
Overall, the album is a stunning tribute to McGillivray’s
home of Islay. The songs chosen are gorgeous, and her voice is pure gold. Even
for those who do not speak Scottish Gaelic, these songs will resonate with the
emotion that McGillivray oozes into each note.
Related Articles:
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