Shirley Barr sailed with us on our Songwriting voyage in May, on our sponsored Bursary scheme. Here's a blog she wrote about the voayge:
Sessions & Sail Songwriting 2025: Oban–Oban with Jenny Sturgeon & Adam Ross
Sunday 11th May
The WhatsApp chat group was filled with excited travel updates as 12 intrepid songwriters and two tutors made their various ways to Oban to board the Lady of Avenel. We were greeted by a beaming Barry, Harry and Harris, mugs of tea, plates of biscuits, a lovely lunch spread and then shown to our cabins following a safety briefing. Soon we were on our way to the Garvellachs archipelago, anchoring up for the night by Eilean an Naoimh. A landing trip by dinghy was made by most of the folk aboard to see the remains of St Brendan’s Monastery, undeterred by the fearsome midges. The first of many amazing evening meals followed, and we sat up in the saloon into the wee small hours, chatting, sharing songs and realising what an incredibly interesting and diverse group we were – who all enjoyed good craic!
Monday 12th May
Due to incredibly good weather and a distinct lack of wind, as we enjoyed a hearty-Harris-breakfast we motored to Erraid, anchoring up by the enticingly beautiful Balfour Bay. Having spent many childhood holidays on this island, it was particularly exciting for me to arrive aboard a tall ship! Furnished with various interesting objects from Jenny and Adam to inspire a song, we headed over for a swim and exploratory session. Re-grouping in the sunshine on the Lady’s deck, we shared what we’d written and were given our next task – a poem to set to a melody. More newly penned song sharing ensued, then under the watchful gaze of the full moon we sang, played tunes, chatted and ate and drank our way into the early hours once again.
Tuesday 13th May
Another glorious sunny day without a breath of breeze for the sails found us motoring on to the isle of Iona. We had a quick and very funny task ahead of landing, to write a jingle inspired by something aboard the Lady. Harris had no fewer than 6 dedicated to his culinary skills, which are epic. Then, each armed with a postcard to inspire our next song we headed over to Iona, where more swimming took place in the aquamarine waters. The beer garden at the Argyll Hotel beckoned, after a wee wander around the island. Perfect spot to mull over lyrics and melody ideas for the postcard song and cool down with a local lager. Much hilarity with on-board announcements from Harry and Harris on the dinghy back. We travelled on, anchoring up for the night by the Treshnish Isles. Yet another incredible dinner and late, late night of craic and Corncrake, as one could be heard from the deck calling late into the night.
Wednesday 14th May
PUFFINS! Today, after breakfast we were given a co-write task, involving birdcalls. We spent some time in pairs, making a start and then the dinghy trips over to Lunga to see the PUFFINS started. Can you tell I was a bit excited about seeing them for the first time? So many bucket-list items were ticked this week! Back aboard, we shared our birdsong co-writes. In the afternoon we had fun with time signatures, a request from the group to the tutors to help us get our heads around it all. We tried our hands at a spot of sailing, too, and managed the heady speed of 2 knots! The weather was being almost too good. Some folk jumped over to Ulva for a look-see, but I opted to stay and work on my song. I’d challenged myself to write in 7/8 and needed all the time I could get! Over fishcakes from heaven, with the hot sauce that Jenny had purchased on Ulva, another happy evening commenced.
Thursday 15th May
It was a relatively early start today, to beat the crowds onto Staffa. With the walkway currently under repair we took it in turns to dinghy right into Fingal’s Cave. Another massive tick on my bucket-list. One boat load with a harp aboard, another a fiddle, and much heartfelt singing in the incredible echo-chamber of the cave. Back on the Lady we shared our time-signature songs. Alas. My 7/8 turned out to be 8/8 with a swing, but I really like it regardless. Next time! In the afternoon we had another co-write, taking words from the local Shetland newspapers Jenny had brought along, to create lyrics. Another saloon singing session ended the day.
Friday 16th May
What a week it’s been. Hard to believe this is our last day. Yet again, with no wind we motored to Jura for another island adventure. Those feeling fit and midge-proof hiked up the ridge for the views, rest of us swam and we all contemplated our final songwriting task for the week – a celebration song. It was another HOT day, and we opted for the lazy approach of just one task. Another bucket-list for me, I scaled the Lady’s mast – and whilst at the top saw an eagle! Our final island hop was to Seil, which has a particularly nice pub garden. For the final evening each of us picked something we’d written during the week to perform. Obviously, we stayed up very, very late indeed, celebrating just how great a week we’d had and how many songs we’d written…and there may have been some rum consumed.
Saturday 17th May
It was a last sail (motor) to berth at Dunstaffnage whilst we ate our final breakfast, and packed. A group song on deck to appreciate our AMAZING crew, a group selfie, then a flurry of hugs and goodbyes.
A huge thank you to the Sessions & Sail team for the bursary that allowed me to take this trip. It’s been such an incredible opportunity, and I look forward to recording a couple of the songs written this week later this year.