Buntata ’s Sgadan - Step Dance & Jaw Harp (Sophie Stephenson & Allan MacDonald)

The days are getting brighter and I’m feeling a real reawakening of the senses as we come out of the hibernation of winter. I would like to share with you this video I made, in collaboration with Allan MacDonald from Glenuig, for The Leitrim Dance Project. The first tune is Allan’s own, “Buntàta is Sgadan” (Potatoes and Herring), played, on the jaw harp, as a strathspey and a reel, followed by port-à-beul which includes the lyrics “Chuirinn air a’ phìob... Chuirinn air an fhidhil ’s a rithist air an trumpaidh” (I’d play it on the pipes… on the fiddle and again on the jaw harp”). I’ve always loved the combination of percussive dance steps with the jaw harp - there is an earthy rawness about it and, where the music is fluid and resonating, the steps provide a rhythmical under-pining of the melody. My steps are set to a backdrop of footage I have captured, across the seasons, in the Highlands, Skye and Uist - places all very close to my heart. I hope you are doing well, wherever you are, and feeling positively energised and uplifted by the optimism of Spring on the horizon (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere!). I’m looking forward to step dance workshops and performances in the coming weeks - across Scotland, further afield and online - it would be lovely see you along the way. Find out more: