About this project

Bi Glic! is a soundwalk celebrating the 60th anniversary of RSPB Balranald, created in partnership with local communities in North Uist. Through spoken word, field recordings, and newly recorded music by local musicians, the work explores the history of the township and reserve, the living culture of the machair, and Gaelic birdlore connected to the birds, people, and landscapes of Balranald, North Uist. Credits Commissioned by RSPB Alba. Music performed by Shona Morrison, Padruig Morrison, Alana MacInnes, and Màiri MacMillan, recorded by Allan Henderson. Spoken contributions from Janet MacDonald, Alasdair MacDonald, Anne MacLellan, Clare Bird, Shona MacLennan, Fiona MacIsaac, Margaret Joan MacIsaac, and Alasdair MacLellan. Interviews by Shona MacLellan and Calum Ferguson. Field recording, soundscape composition, sound design and production by Duncan MacLeod. Produced by Duncan MacLeod and Shona MacLellan. Creative Producer: Shona Monk.

Audio samples

Introduction

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Before you start the soundwalk, please take a moment to listen to this short introduction.

Part 1 - The history of the reserve

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Walking down to the beach, this section introduces the history of Balranald Nature Reserve, tracing how this working crofting landscape became an important site for wildlife conservation. Through local voices, the section reflects on the creation of the reserve

Part 2 - Balranald's birds

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Walking along the beach, this section introduces the birds of Balranald through local voices, personal memories, and reflections on favourite species found across the reserve.

About the creator

Uist Soundwalks

Uist Soundwalks is an ongoing series of place-based soundwalks by Duncan MacLeod, created in collaboration with Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre, Creative Producer Sorcha Monk, and partners across Uist. Developed through close work with local communities, the series brings together community voices, field recordings, oral histories, music and geolocative sound to explore landscape, language, ecology, memory and local knowledge across the islands.

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