Released, on download, at midnight on Saturday, 19th May
To help with fundraising for a permanent memorial to Eilidh MacLeod from Barra who was killed in the Manchester Arena Bombing, trad band Skipinnish are releasing a new version their song ‘Wishing Well’. The song was originally written about Eilidh, but it is only recently, after meeting Eilidh’s family that it was decided to make the background of the song known to the public.
Originally composed with a winter theme, a verse has been added and some lyrics changed to give it a year-round theme.
The release of this new version of the song will coincide with the first anniversary of the bombing and with the main fundraising weekend of the group “Team Eilidh” led by Suzanne Whyte, a first cousin of Eilidh’s father. As well as the song release, some of the band are running the Edinburgh Half Marathon on the 27th of May and are joining Suzanne and Team Eilidh to run the Manchester 10K, the week before, to add to the fundraising.
Angus MacPhail, accordionist and founder member of the band who wrote the song said:
“The very first summer that we started the band we spent most of it on Barra and from then on we’ve had huge support over the years from the people of Barra and Vatersay. This is a very small gesture of just doing what we can to help in these terrible circumstances.”
Having stormed to the top of Scotland’s music scene in 2017, selling out every show they played and being named Live Act of the Year at the Trad Awards, Skipinnish are heading for their best year and biggest gig ever. A concert on the 18th of May in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall will mark a milestone in the band’s history and it is at this gig that they will perform the new version of ‘Wishing Well’ for the first time. They will be joined on stage for this piece by World Champion pipers, Inveraray and District Pipe Band and Gaelic Song super-group Cruinn. Angus added:
“Memory is one of the most powerful means of dealing with tragedy and a memorial will hopefully help the family and the island heal together. If the song ‘Wishing Well’ will also help this bright, talented piper and Highland Dancer be remembered, then I’ll be very glad.”
All proceeds from downloads will go to the “Team Eilidh” fundraising group.
Tickets are available through www.skipinnish.com
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