Neil Gunn novel inspires three new songs for pupils from Dunbeath and Lybster schools

THE classic novel Highland River by celebrated Caithness writer, Neil Gunn, is the inspiration for three new songs which will get their first public performance on Friday (October 7).

Pupils at Dunbeath and Lybster primaries will sing the songs written for them by Thurso-based poet George Gunn and Wick fiddler, Gordon Gunn, in collaboration with Wick singer Camilla Elder and the well-known Caithness musician Addie Harper. The songs take the Caithness strath of Dunbeath in Neil Gunn's novel as the starting point and setting.

The Hazels o' Dunbeath tells the story of Dunbeath Strath, Finn MacCoull retells the Celtic legend of Finn and the salmon while Iain MacMormack Gunn relates the story of The Prisoner's Leap.

The contemporary songs, fashioned from the 'carrying stream' of the musical and bardic tradition of Caithness, explore the people and landscape of Dunbeath and re-imagine and re-identify both in the 21st century. The songs will be performed by primaries four, five, six and seven from Dunbeath and primaries six and seven from Lybster.

Caithness Makar, George Gunn, said: "The audience will be swept through time and space, ferried imaginatively into the geological, historical, archaeological, social and natural uniqueness of a beautiful and symbolic part of the Scottish Highlands."

Gordon Gunn added: "The children of Dunbeath and Lybster have responded magnificently to these songs and made them their own.

"It is a very uplifting experience to hear the voices of young Caithness in full flow in songs created especially for them. We hope to repeat and adapt this project with other schools in Caithness and over time create a big Caithness River of Song where every bairn in every school in the county has a song about their community to sing. We want them to be proud of themselves and where they come from. As the bairns sing in The Prisoner's Leap 'Nothing is impossible, there is nothing that can't be done'."

Dunbeath River of Song will be performed by the pupils on Friday, October 7 at 11 am in Dunbeath Primary School.

Gordon Gunn and George Gunn are both part of the Caithness Artists In Residence (CAIR) programme initiated by Lyth Arts Centre.

Gordon, George and musician, Andy Thorburn, will be performing their Cattachs And Gallachs of the Grey Coast – an evening of music and poetry – at Lyth Arts Centre at 7.30am on Friday, October 14.

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