Skipinnish’s The Clearances Again has been named best Original Work of the Year in the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
The song, which reached number four in the UK download charts on its release in April, beat off strong competition from some of Scotland’s biggest musical talent to claim the top spot in the category.
The Clearances Again was written by Skipinnish co-founder Angus MacPhail from the perspective of his friend Donald Francis (DF) MacNeil who is an inshore creel fisherman from the Isle of Vatersay in the Outer Hebrides. It was recorded by Skipinnish along with DF who was making his recording debut at the age of 64.
The song was created as a powerful protest against Scottish Government proposals for Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) which had the potential to devastate island and coastal communities by closing off all fishing, aquaculture and infrastructure developments in at least 10% of Scotland’s waters.
The government has since u-turned on the plans, with The Clearances Again undoubtedly playing a critical role in spurring on the protest movement in opposition to them.
In addition to nearly reaching the top of the download charts, the song and DF’s story secured national media attention to raise widespread awareness of what was at stake if HPMAs were to be enacted. The lyrics were also quoted by all main political parties in Holyrood during debates on the issue.
Angus, who is originally from the Isle of Tiree, saw the potential for the proposals to be the biggest peacetime risk to island and coastal communities since the Highland Clearances of the nineteenth century. He put his prolific song writing skills to use to compose a song through DF’s eyes that would capture the strength of feeling and the urgent need for Holyrood politicians to give a greater voice to these fragile economies.
What was produced in lyrics and music was hugely emotive and evoked a sense of urgency to not only protect a precious heritage but also safeguard the future for these communities.
The significance and uniqueness of The Clearances Again has now been recognised with this award. Angus said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised as best Original Work of the Year and we’d like to thank all those who took the time to vote for The Clearances Again.
“We set out to write and record a song that would send a message to politicians, loud and clear, that HPMAs would devastate our coastal communities, their economies and their way of life. We know that message was heard and the Government took action.
“I have known DF for many years and understand what fishing means to him, his family, and his community. Therefore, it was an honour to present The Clearances Again from his perspective, telling his story to illustrate what was at stake so listeners could understand the depth of feeling and dismay at what was being proposed. We are delighted the song resonated with so many people across Scotland and beyond.”
Angus added: “We are grateful to DF for allowing himself to be the subject of the song and for putting his fine voice to it as lead vocals – it was the only way it could’ve worked with such impact. We are proud of what we achieved with DF and delighted that he topped the charts.”
DF MacNeil commented: “This has been an amazing journey and I’m delighted to have contributed to a piece of work that secured this award. It’s a worthy winner. Angus wrote a beautifully powerful song that made a real difference in securing my way of life and that of my children and grandchildren.
“The Clearances Again expertly illustrated the real life implications of Holyrood policy on our communities and I believe the powerful writing and beautiful music meant the song spurred on many who wanted to join our fight.”
The Clearances Again has since been translated into Gaelic by Angus’s mother Flora. Fuadaichean (Gaelic for Clearances) was recorded by Skipinnish, DF and many well known supporting voices such as internationally-renowned folk singer Julie Fowlis, Capercaillie’s Karen Matheson and Mick MacNeil, formerly of Simple Minds. It was released in November.
DF will debut Fuadaichean at Celtic Connections 2024 as part of Skipinnish’s 25th Anniversary concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday January 20. This concert is already sold-out and has been one of the fastest selling gigs of the 300-event festival. Skipinnish will also celebrate 25 years by performing one of their highest profile gigs on Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade on July 12 2024.