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An Unkindness of Ravens – Sound Installation by Chris Watson

Feature

Our Artist in Residence for Nature Unwrapped, Chris Watson, has created a sound calendar of environments from the northern hemisphere. From September to November you will be hearing sounds from the Scottish Highlands. Come early to enjoy the installation beginning half an hour before the performances in Hall One.

By 4pm in mid October the shadows are lengthening in the Scottish Highlands and there’s a sense of stillness and anticipation which often accompanies these autumn days.

Here in Glen Affric there are mosaic patterns of forest, coniferous plantations and ancient woodlands which once formed part of the Great Wood of Caledon. These trees are a seasonal refuge for some of the wildlife from the surrounding cairns and hills. Sgurr na Lapaich at over 1100m dominates the glen to the north, and it is from here that red deer descend at this time of year to take shelter amongst the trees. The stags also showcase themselves here during the rut with vocal battles for dominance, and their far-carrying roars and bellows reverberate around the pines.

There are other, older voices here in this glen. High above, ravens gather before roosting in the forest as the light fades. Once they’ve perched, their conversational exchanges continue through the night.

Chris Watson

Read ‘Ears to the Ground’ – an introduction to Chris Watson’s work and his Kings Place residency.


This sound installation can be heard from 23 September until 11 November 2020 ahead of all Nature Unwrapped concerts taking place in Hall One. Access to the installation requires a concert ticket for the relevant main event in Hall One.

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