Runrig’s Malcolm Jones recently joined Celtic music icons Skipinnish on stage last month to debut a performance of his new tune written to mark the band’s 25th anniversary. The Silver Voyage was performed live by the guitarist along with Skipinnish at the band’s two headline concerts in Inverness and Edinburgh in July that started a year of celebrations for Skipinnish. Malcolm Jones’s involvement is also symbolic as he has been by Skipinnish’s side through their quarter century career. The new tune captures the significance of the band’s anniversary and the journey Skipinnish has been on since 1999. It is also symbolic of the thread that runs through the band’s music reflecting the impact the sea, island life, fishing and the Gaelic language has had on their songwriting and their sound.
With hits such as Walking on the Waves, The Island, Alive and more recently Fuadaichean (Clearances), Skipinnish have put their Highlands and Islands and Gaelic roots front and centre in their repertoire. The Silver Voyage is a celebration of their work and that 25-year voyage to the very top of the Celtic music scene. Skipinnish was formed in 1999 from a friendship between accordionist and songwriter Angus MacPhail of the Isle of Tiree and piper Andrew Stevenson from Lochaber, during their years studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. The early days saw them perform in village halls across their familiar turf of the west Highlands and Islands.
The top tier of Scottish bands
Now a seven-piece, multi-instrument band they have taken their music international, performing at festivals and venues across Europe, whilst remaining true to their Highlands and Gaelic roots in all that they create. Malcolm said: “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Angus and Andrew since their inception as Skipinnish twenty-five years ago, watching their steady progress as musicians, songwriters and band leaders, to their current position in the top tier of Scottish bands. To celebrate this milestone, I thought it would be appropriate to compose a new tune for the occasion – The Silver Voyage. I’m looking forward to celebrating the anniversary and playing this tune with Skipinnish.”
Angus MacPhail said: “This is a highlight of our 25 years and is a great honour. To have one of Scotland’s foremost musicians, and someone we personally hold in such high regard, compose a tune to mark our silver anniversary is something very special. Malcolm is a big part of our 25-year story. He’s been a mentor, advisor and friend from our early days and still influences our music. Without his guidance and advice over the years, we would not have had the very fortunate voyage we’ve had. This new tune captures the Skipinnish story perfectly – the ups and downs of the long journey from the pubs and village halls of the west Highlands and Islands to the unbelievable feeling of headlining in Inverness and Edinburgh Castle, playing to over 13,000 people within six days. That is something that was beyond our wildest dreams in 1999.”