soundwalk: Cainnt nan Eun/The Language of the Birds is an immersive geolocative soundwalk created by Duncan MacLeod for soundfestival, taking place at the Mill of Benholm near Montrose, United Kingdom. Participants use a mobile device and headphones to experience a curated sequence of location-specific sound pieces while walking through the landscape. The soundwalk integrates a rich tapestry of birdsong, natural environmental sounds, oral histories, and voices in both Gaelic and Scots, complemented by music. This blending of auditory elements highlights the cultural and ecological relationships embedded in the surroundings, particularly emphasizing the significance of bird-related language and folklore.

The event includes a 30-minute walking experience followed by a 45-minute talk featuring insights into the Gaelic tradition of bird names, folklore, and the intertwined connections among language, culture, and the natural world. The talk is given by a representative from RSPB Scotland, deepening participants’ understanding of the historical context and contemporary cultural importance of the birdsong and narrative elements they encounter during the walk.