Episode 1
Acclaimed Scottish musician Phil Cunningham returns to Northern Ireland on a coastal odyssey to create a new composition inspired by the age-old ties between Ulster and Scotland.
Acclaimed Scottish musician and broadcaster Phil Cunningham returns to Northern Ireland on a coastal odyssey that will culminate in the creation of a new musical composition.
Inspired by age-old ties between Ulster and Scotland, and titled The Narrow Sea, the Farther Shore, this new piece will be inspired by the sea road that both divides and connects us. The Narrow Sea is the name traditionally given to the body of water that flows in the North Channel between the east coast of Ulster and Scotland’s western shore.
Phil has long been fascinated by how centuries of human connection and interaction have impacted on life in both Scotland and Ulster and, across a series of journeys, he finds a wealth of inspiration in a land and seascape steeped in story. Visiting ancient castles clinging to Antrim’s rocky coastline, he learns about the powerful families who once controlled a maritime empire. He follows in the footsteps of the lowlanders whose descendants became the Ulster-Scots, learning more about a language and heritage which still celebrate their Scottish roots.
From coastal rowers and fishermen, to historians, poets and musicians, the people he meets along the way share their stories, helping Phil get a real sense of the complex human connections that have helped shape life of both sides of the North Channel since ancient times.
As well as being a gifted multi-instrumentalist and composer, Phil is also a self-confessed audio geek and a passionate lover of the natural world, and field recordings captured while filming will both inspire and feature in his final composition.
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Broadcasts
- Sun 23 Jan 2022 22:40Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two Northern Ireland HD & Northern Ireland only
- Tue 25 Jan 2022 20:00
- Wed 26 Jan 2022 19:00
- Tue 29 Nov 2022 20:00
- Tue 14 Feb 2023 23:15Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
- Tue 9 Jul 2024 21:00
Featured in...
Arts—Read All About It!, Series 1, Episode 1
Showcasing the best art and culture programmes from Northern Ireland.
A Season of Arts
Specially commissioned programmes showcasing some of Northern Ireland's best loved artists
Music in Scotland
Perfomances in Scotland and programmes featuring Scottish acts.
Ulster-Scots Collection
Discover a rich and complex heritage of the Ulster-Scots.
iPlayer Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland Channel :: Featured Episodes
iPlayer Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland Channel featured programmes