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If these rooms could talk: New album from Mull Historical Society to be recorded in artist’s grandfather’s former home

Published: 27 Oct 2022

A man wearing a black and white graphic t shirt that reads 'n.islander' is pictured standing in front of a brick wall

Colin McIntyre for Mull Historical Society. Image by Soren Kristensen.

Multi-award-winning musician, producer, author and playwright Colin MacIntyre (who performs under the name Mull Historical Society), will record a new album in a unique location – the former home of his grandfather, Scottish poet and Bard of Mull, Angus MacIntyre.

Now a fully operational recording studio, Angus MacIntyre lived in the flat above Tobermory’s Clydesdale Bank where he was bank manager for 45 years. Colin will record the album in the very room in which his grandfather composed his verse and where Colin spent much of his childhood.

Colin says: “that sitting room, with its view of the bay, it saw many ceilidhs and conversations: an atmosphere still resonant today...”

The album, titled The Writers Room, will see Colin collaborate with several of his favourite authors who will be given a brief to write lyrics inspired by a room that is important to them and which evokes significant memories, which Colin will then compose to music.

Drawing on the power of memories and the nostalgia of the yesteryear, Colin will bring on board both local and international musicians for this unique project.

The album is one of 50 projects receiving a total of £1,034,661 National Lottery funding in this latest round of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund awards. At a glance, projects include:

  • SongSeeds – a series of affordable, accessible in-person songwriting retreats for people of all abilities and career stages
  • The welcome return of Edinburgh’s Tradfest in April/May 2023, celebrating the best of traditional music from Scotland and around the world
  • A celebration of ten years of Lost Map Records, marked by a multi-artist collaboration on the Isle of Eigg to record a series of experimental tracks
  • A year-long series of workshops and opportunities for children and young people across Argyll and the Islands from Templar Arts and Leisure Centre connecting a range of creative approaches with sustainability

A group of four musicians sit together on the floor holding microphones and making music

SongSeeds, image by Maaike Siegerist

Dana MacLeod, Executive Director of Arts, Communities and Inclusion, Creative Scotland said: “This month’s Creative Scotland Open Fund sees support for a wide range of imaginative projects from all over Scotland, in particular artists and organisations working in Highland and island communities. Funds from the National Lottery provide us with this opportunity for more people to enjoy the arts and benefit from the increased sense of wellbeing that culture brings.”

Download the full list of Open Fund recipients

Open Fund Awards September 2022

Download the Open Fund awards for September 2022 (.xlsx)

Background

Open Fund

  • In September 2022, Creative Scotland’s Open Fund made 50 funding awards, totalling £1,034,661.
  • The Open Fund has no deadlines, and full eligibility criteria and application guidance can be found on the Creative Scotland website.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot

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