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The Land We Call Home - Songs and Tales by Andy Mitchell (book)

Andy's book is to be released on September 1st. There will be a launch in Ullapool and Portree. More information to follow. Pre-order now!

From the 1960s through to the 2000s, Andy Mitchell worked as a radio operator on deep sea fishing boats, was in the Merchant Navy, started a well-known Highland radio station, and ran his own, highly successful, marine electronics company. It was through this lens of first-hand experience he commented on, and documented, the immense changes he saw throughout the Highlands, particularly in the fishing industry. From the Eastern bloc ‘Klondykers’ in Ullapool, the local campaigns against nuclear disarmament, and other contemporary and political concerns, the songs he wrote and sang offer an invaluable insight into what was going on at the time.

Full colour with 25 original songs and over fifty archive photographs.
Design by Ronan Martin. Illustrations by Kim Richards.
Compiled, edited and coordinated by Valerie Bryan and Ronan Martin
Melodies typeset by Valerie Bryan and Dougie Pincock
Songs typset by Valerie Bryan and Tom Bryan

All songs copyright 2025 Andy Mitchell

Details

Instruments:
Scots song
Tune Types:
Air, Dance tunes, Jig, March, Work tunes
Occasions:
Ceilidh, Hogmanay, St Andrew's Night
Pages:
88
Articulations:
Chords, Staff notation
Arrangers:
Valerie Bryan, Ronan Martin, Andy Mitchell
Date:
September 2025
Book format:
A4
Composers:
Andy Mitchell
ISBN:
ISBN 978-1-906804-53-4
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Table of contents

  • The songs are available now for you to hear on Bandcamp at https://andy-mitchell.bandcamp.com/
  • Old Saint Elstan
  • Humber Sidewinders
  • I Left the Village
  • Garve
  • The Buffalo Farm in Achiltibuie
  • Achnasheen
  • Elvis in Achnasheen
  • The Genuine Scots Craft Shop
  • Boddam Annie
  • Calum Mòr
  • Silver Darlings
  • Boris von Lyker
  • The Prosperity
  • Lachie’s Tea
  • Far Will We Gang?
  • Changes
  • Indiana
  • The Braes of Lochbroom
  • Touch and Go
  • Gold to The Grey
  • Just for the Craic
  • Gruinard Island
  • Granny’s Heilan’ Hame
  • Reason for Leaving
  • New Lights Shining in the Glen
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Reviews

I’m absolutely delighted that Andy’s highly talented songwriting is being brought to a wider audience by this book.

Andy Irvine

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