St Marys Space

15/12/2023

Charlotte thought we'd been burgled, but it was just me having messy studio fun writing and recording music for the new Knomad Spock record and giving our new Nordic Audio Labs NU100K and NU880K mics a working over. I've never gone from an idea to a finished recording so fast and with so few tears and tantrums: everything I plucked, honked, scraped, bashed, shouted, bowed or oscillated sounds fantastic and, more impressively, the mics somehow captured the feeling of playing it all. Astonishing. It was also the first recording to feature a new instrument I built with Molly out of our old post box, a drawer and a hand drill. We party hard at St. Mary's.

06/12/2023

Day 2 with Astral Suns in the studio recording fu***ng BIG drum sounds.
There's some serious love for that well worn drum stool.

Gary Abbot - guitar / vocals
Calum Rae - bass
Cameron Taylor - guitar
Luis Beaton - drums

01/12/2023

Exciting times in the studio - our new POM Audio Design Boiler MKII arrived last week, snuggled into the rack above its big brother, my beloved POMPYE, and is already leaving a bloody wake of drum destruction behind it. I believe it is the Incredible Hulks favourite dynamics processor, and rightly so. POM, a true and passionate artisan, gentleman and scholar, was kind enough to personalise it with the studio name. And look closer - you will see that it also carries a romantic inscription...

POM Audio Design

10/10/2023

If you’ve enjoyed Rachel Walker & Aaron Jones fascinating album ‘Despite the Wind and Rain’, please give them a vote using the link below 👇

We’re delighted that ‘Despite the Wind and Rain’ has been included in the long list for Album of the Year at the Trad awards! If you’ve enjoyed our album we’d love it if you would use the link below to give us a vote.

We’d also be over the moon if you’d consider giving us a nomination in any of the following categories.

(3) Original Work of the Year - Despite the Wind and Rain.
(8) Trad Video of the Year - Gormshùil Mhòr 🖤and / or Crescents and Stars 🌟
(18) Composer of the Year - Rachel Walker and Aaron Jones.

We have enjoyed working on and touring our album and have been lucky to work with such fabulous collaborators and musicians. We’re so grateful for the kind words and support you’ve shown us 💙

Link to nomination form here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TradAwards2023

Rachel & Aaron xx

05/10/2023

We have space for a few more peeps at this wonderful house concert tomorrow night if you'd like to come along.
You'll be among friends, there'll be a fire to warm your cockles, drinks and snacks, and amazing music by Emma Baird to listen to, what's not to love?
Just drop me a line and I'll put a seat out for you.......

We have a wonderful house concert coming up soon with Scottish violinist Emma Baird who will be recording here and then playing a variety of classical works for solo violin by Bach, Paganini, Ysaye and present-day composers.
Also, for anyone who knows our fabulous local neighbours Mike and Margaret Rayworth, Emma is their amazing granddaughter!
Please drop us a line if you'd like to book a seat.

20/09/2023

Thoroughly enjoyed some refreshingly creative days with Tavia who travelled over 3000 miles from Brooklyn NY to Fasnacloich earlier this month to learn to capture immersive audio, make art and experiment with field recording.
Good times.
I love what I do, and I love my clients. And I love using my expertise and objectivity to help them succeed.

With thanks to our friends at VAWAA.
VAWAA Immersive Audio & Creative Recording with Jamie.
Learn to capture immersive audio and soundscapes of the stunning lochs, sea, and woods in the Scottish Highlands with sound artist Jamie. Build your own sound archives, record, create installations or write sonic novels inside an old, picturesque church studio.

15/09/2023

Dolly Valentine's album "The In-Between"is out today!
It was a privilege to work on this album.
Memorable, thoughtful days.

Choose your preferred music service

14/09/2023

'The In-Between' out September 15th.
Dolly Valentine

11/09/2023

10/09/2023

We have a wonderful house concert coming up soon with Scottish violinist Emma Baird who will be recording here and then playing a variety of classical works for solo violin by Bach, Paganini, Ysaye and present-day composers.
Also, for anyone who knows our fabulous local neighbours Mike and Margaret Rayworth, Emma is their amazing granddaughter!
Please drop us a line if you'd like to book a seat.

03/09/2023

Last week was honest, intense, engaging and gritty in the studio with Matty. Definitely my kinda week.
BIG, grungy and dirty guitar sounds.

01/09/2023

Proud to have worked on this album for Dolly Valentine
Keep those bunny eyes and ears out for it!

rabbit rabbit!

(two weeks to the release of my new album)

30/08/2023

A handful of snaps from the last couple of weeks recording Horse's album in the studio with superb peeps that are Horse Lorna Thomas Finn Anderson Astroturf Inspector

29/08/2023

Look into my pies.

A quirky mixed media artwork with vintage items, found objects and handmade pieces, that's what Charlotte spent some of her wet bank holiday making.
Housed in a solid wood display box, it's going to grace our eclectic house perfectly.....and gather s**t loads of dust.

24/08/2023

24/08/2023

Behind the scenes with Horse.

14/08/2023

Great to have Horse back in the studio for

13/08/2023

Excited that Horse will be back in the studio for the next fortnight.
Bring it on!

19/07/2023

24/06/2023

Last night was 👌, it was such a joy to listen to Rachel and Aaron's wonderful songs. Thanks hugely to everyone who came along to enjoy the evening ❤️

15/06/2023

There are still some seats available if you'd like to come and join us next Friday 23rd for a wonderful night with Rachel Walker & Aaron Jones. It's going to be a treat.
Let me know if you'd like a seat before they're all gone....

31/05/2023

Globetrotter Jane T travelled from Canada to the west Scottish Highlands to experience an immersive audio and creative recording week with Jamie earlier this month.
'Jamie was brilliant, the location is stunningly beautiful, Jamie's knowledge of his craft excellent and he's a very professional teacher. I found it a fascinating experience'.
Thanks for making the trip Jane, we absolutely loved having you here, it was an absolute pleasure to meet and work with you.

If you might be interested in learning to capture immersive audio and soundscapes of the stunning lochs, sea, woods and wildlife in the Scottish Highlands, please contact me to find out more.

30/05/2023

The most beautiful picnic lunch spot on our bike ride yesterday.
Utter perfection.

24/05/2023

Join us for an evening of wonderful music and song with Rachel Walker & Aaron Jones in our unique, relaxed & intimate venue.
Friday 23rd June 2023 at 8pm.
Booking is essential, please message us or ring 01631 730 449.

15/05/2023

Soooo pleased to have the very fabulous Rachel Walker & Aaron Jones play a house concert here next month. They'll be singing songs and telling stories of the women who inspired ‘Despite the Wind and Rain’.
Friday 23rd June.
You should come.
Drop us a line to book your seat, they won't last long.

16/03/2023

Just look at these scallywags!
You should go check them out.

We're overwhelmed by the response to our new album so far!

Delighted to say that to celebrate the release, we'll be playing live across Scotland over the next few months

Tickets on our website: https://westwardthelight.com/

12 April - The Bothan, Achiltibuie
13 April - An Lanntair, Stornoway
14 April - Spott Village Hall

1 June - Abriachan Village Hall
2 June - The Ceilidh Place, Ullapool
3 June - Comrie Rural Hall

2 September - The Old Brewery, Cromarty
5 September - Montrose Folk Club

29 November - An Tobar, Tobermory - Tickets
30 November - Lyth Arts Centre - Tickets

There's still time to pre-order the album here:
https://westwardthelight.bandcamp.com/

13/03/2023

What a fabulous week I’ve had recording phase 1 of my new album of contemporary music at St Mary’s Space - big thanks to Jamie for his expertise and patients!!
St Mary’s is the perfect place to relax, write and be in a creative bubble. I stayed in the sitooterie, absolutely stunning and so cosy!
Looking forward to starting work on phase 2 which will be recorded in 6 weeks time and I’m all ready excited about it! Lots to do between now and then with writing, arranging and practice, let the fun begin.

12/03/2023

08/03/2023

Studio time today with Pippa Reid-Foster Harpist

05/03/2023

The Sitooterie, clean, ready and looking fabulous in the sun for lovely guest Pippa Reid-Foster Harpist to stay in this week whilst recording.

26/02/2023

Time for a new studio desk......

22/02/2023

Among ancient trees and enchanted woods, surrounded by towering mountains and light dancing on the water.

Bernadeta Kupiec photography

16/02/2023

We're pleased to let you know that we have a one off house concert next month. Gigs have been few and far between at St Mary's recently, but Esther Swift is recording her album here in March and she'll be playing a house concert at the end of her residency.
Esther is one of the country’s most innovative and exciting contemporary harpists. In her composition, songwriting and performance she creates a music which is profound and daringly vulnerable whilst drawing on influences which range from contemporary classical, alternative pop and the Scottish tradition. Drop us a line if you'd like to book a seat or two.
Booking is essential.

19/01/2023

Beautiful Loch Creran was on BBC Springwatch's Mindfulness Moments last night. It's 54.35 minutes into the programme if you missed it. Would love to know who filmed it as it wasn't mentioned and I couldn't see any credits.

Gillian Burke and Iolo Williams take a closer look at Edinburgh's urban wildlife.

16/01/2023

This is fantastic, well done 🙏

07/01/2023

Two oldies on the hills, one born in 1975 and the other 1978.
My good old trusted glass Garfield Thermos (1978) has been with me for 40 years and never lets me down, always keeps my drink hot on the hills.
It was a beautiful day in Glencoe yesterday.

23/12/2022

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas & fabulous 2023!
And a HUGE thank you from Jamie and myself for your fantastic support throughout the year.
You make us shine bright and we can’t wait for another amazing year.

16/12/2022

Snow fell in the Glen this morning....at last.
It was more beautiful, ethereal and silent than ever.
Fun was definitely had.....and yummy marshmallows!