WCSL Soundwalk: Orasaigh

Written by Steve Ely, Orasaigh (2023) is a book-length 'apocalyptic landscape' poem anchored in the eponymous tidal island off the coast of South Uist, near the settlement of Boisdale. Although the poem never loses sight of its setting and context, it nevertheless roams widely and associatively through space and time, exploring history, culture, nature and conflict in an extended meditation on the precarity of life in the context of the Anthropocene.

This soundwalk, commissioned by Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre, features Ely narrating excerpts of his poem with soundscape and music composed by Duncan MacLeod. An extended mix, as mapped on the island of Orasaigh and Boisdale (South Uist), can be streamed on SoundCloud.

CREDITS Poem: Steve Ely Music and Soundscape compositions: Duncan MacLeod Photographs: Michael Faint

PRODUCTION Narration: Steve Ely Bass Clarinet: Charlotte Jolly Studio recordings: Juraj Fajnor Environmental field recordings: Juraj Fajnor & Duncan MacLeod

© 2023 Steve Ely & Duncan MacLeod. Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this soundwalk is strictly prohibited.