SINGER KT Tunstall and actor Alan Cumming are to give a Burns Night boost to the campaign for Scottish independence.
The pair have recorded a version of Dougie MacLean’s Caledonia which is to be released tomorrow (January 25) with all proceeds raised from sales going to Voices for Scotland’s campaign to grow support for independence.
“We are both supporters of independence and of Scottish voices being heard and so releasing this song on the birthday of surely the most potent Scottish voice ever, in aid of an organisation that aims to get Scots talking about their future just could not make me any happier,” said Cummings.
They had originally intended to record the song before the coronavirus crisis but the plan was put on hold when the pandemic hit.
“One of the things I love most about Scotland is how we embrace our history and tradition as well as our very vibrant present, and Dougie McLean has always represented that in his work,” Cummings said, adding that he “adored” KT and “jumped at the chance” to sing Caledonia with her in New York more than a year ago.
“We decided immediately to record it but then, of course, the world turned upside down. But we finally did it and, in the tradition of the Scottish diaspora, she recorded her track in LA and I did mine in my house in Perthshire.”
KT said it was “lovely” to be able to sing a song that connected people.
“Scotland shines such a bright light in the world, and I think you realise that even more from afar,” she said.
“Burns Night is a lovely global gathering for Scots at home or abroad, like Alan and I and especially this year, after everything we’ve been through, it was lovely to do something that connected us all. Singing with Alan is just pure joy, what an amazing talent he is.”
She said she had come to appreciate Dougie MacLean’s artistry more and more.
“He keeps all the ancient magic of Scottish traditional music whilst always making it feel right for the present day. I find myself singing his songs for weeks afterwards,” said KT.
The recording will be available from tomorrow on all download and streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and iTunes.
Allan Whyte, campaign organiser for Voices for Scotland, said Tunstall and Cumming’s version of MacLean’s classic “begins delicately and evolves into an epic, heart-melting anthem deserving of a massive crowd to sing along”.
“We’re so thankful to KT and Alan for their support and for getting behind our campaign to make politics and the question of Scotland’s future about the people of Scotland,” he said. “We’re working together to create a vision for a fairer, more equal, greener, richer and happier Scotland and it’s only with the support of people like KT and Alan that we can do this.”
Voices for Scotland is a non-party, civic organisation campaigning for Scottish independence by attempting to bring people together in “open, honest and respectful discussion” to talk about the issues affecting the country’s future.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel