Category Archives: The Heart of Neolithic Orkney

The cathedral loomed out of the fog on Saturday night as we prepared for the next rehearsal of Gemma’s World Heritage Day music. But we had a great turnout – and thanks especially to Lucy and Matilda who both battled … Continue reading →

Later on today Gemma and the Mayfield singers will gather at the cathedral for our latest rehearsal of the new composition for World Heritage Day in Croy. Tim has taken a tour of the cathedral earlier today and re-discovered some … Continue reading →

  Tonight was the premiere performance of Gemma’s piece for male voices and, as planned, it got it’s full outing inside the tomb of Maeshowe. We all filed in as the sun was setting behind the stones of Stenness and … Continue reading →

Very close now to our first recording of the new composition by Gemma and the music from Orkney. Inside the Neolithic Tomb of Maeshowe will be our voice recording for this coming Thursday. As soon as we can, we’re aiming … Continue reading →

You have to be multi-talented to live in Orkney. Drawing of a view inside the tomb very helpfully provided by Clare Burgher, the artist, who also sings with the Mayfield singers.

The concrete ceiling that was built inside Maeshowe to strengthen it changed the shape of the ceiling and probably the acoustic. A part-time steward who happens to be a singer told me that he had a private sing to himself … Continue reading →

A well known illustration of Maeshowe in 1862 by a Mr A Gibb of Aberdeen for James Farrer MP who pointed out that every possible care had been taken in the accuracy of the drawing. According to this sketch the … Continue reading →

I had dinner with Basha, who used to live at Balfour Castle and she told me that they had a Roman stirrup there that had been found on the island of Shapinsay… Does this mean that there is proof that … Continue reading →

Just received this fantastic photograph of Maeshowe from Leslie Burgher (who also photographed the Mayfield singers) along with the good news that musician, record company and all round ace sound recordist Owen Tierney will be helping us to make the … Continue reading →

Gemma’s new composition for the Mayfield Singers will be recorded in St Magnus Cathedral on Saturday the 24th of March, this will be a follow up to a recording the day before inside Maeshowe. We’ll be posting further news on … Continue reading →