A sound journey through Scotland

In summer 2023 I set off on a 864km walk through Scotland, from Kirk Yetholm near the border with England, to Cape Wrath Lighthouse, at the far north west of Scotland’s mainland. Running the length of Scotland mainland, The Scottish National Trail combines sections of many of Scotland’s official walking routes including Southern Upland Way, West Highland Way, Rob Roy Way and Cape Wrath Trail. This route, devised by outdoors writer Cameron McNeish, is an unofficial walking route that charts the lowlands and highlands of Scotland, weaving along old drove roads, coffin roads, farm tracks and canal ways, as well as sections without paths or marked trails.

Recording a sound diary everyday en route, I captured snippets of my journey through Scotland. From the sound of Osprey chicks begging for food and the afternoon call of Short Eared Owls, to mountain bikers speeding downhill along the Southern Upland Way, and heavy downpours on the tent canvas. This collection of located sound recordings captures Scotland as a snapshot of unique 2-3 minute pieces, with the time of each recording corresponding to the number of kilometres I walked that day (6 seconds of recording for every km walked). There are 2 exceptions; an 8 minute recording, butter.midfield.gurgled, of a Song Thrush and Blackbird singing at dusk near the Loch of the Lowes (note the Song Thrush mimicry of a Tawny Owl call), and a 5 minute recording, minder.booms.open, of a resonant tunnel under the M8 motorway along the Union Canal, both of which offer a longer pause for listeners’ consideration.

Not expecting to capture such interesting and varied sounds on the walk, my intention was never to share these recordings, but simply to capture a daily sound on the journey, as an audio diary for the future. However, on closer listening upon returning home, I reasoned that these recordings mark an interesting and diverse collection of the sounds of Scotland at a snapshot of time.

Each track is named for the what3words location where it was recorded. What3words have divided the world into 3 metre squares, which are identified by a unique combination of three words, making it easy to share and find exact locations.

Alongside the paths.made.walking album, listeners can also read a daily postcard that I wrote and sent as a memory of the trip.

For the best listening experience use headphones and listen at a volume which mirrors ambient sounds outside (around 1/3 of the full volume). We hope you enjoy the journey.