Donald Grant and The Scottish Ensemble: Thuit an Oidhche Oirnn (The Night Overtook Us) – Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh

A foot tapping and thought provoking night from one of Scotland’s finest fiddle players accompanied by the tartan security blanket of the Scottish Ensemble, who together created something of a sonic explosion at The Queen’s Hall.

Following on from their puppet based space Odyssey The Law of Gravity which I loved at The Traverse earlier this year, The Scottish Ensemble, champions of classical Scottish string, led by Artistic Director, and 1^st violin Jonathan Morton head back to their native roots, but with many a twist along the Highland track.

Before Donald Grant takes to the stage we are treated to the Ensemble’s remarkable rendition of Touch and In Memorium, by Martin Suckling, like a murmuration of starlings, swooping and wheeling seemingly defying logic (or melody) and yet still utterly hypnotic.

Donald Grant joins the Ensemble on stage and brings us back to Terra Firma with his early reminiscences of the West of Scotland and the white beaches of Arrasaig and his earthy and visceral composition ‘To The West’, beautifully soloed by Calum Stewart on the Irish Uilleann pipes to start. As the composition swells and everyone joins in, the purpose of the evening’s collaboration becomes crystal clear – a night of play and joy in music making. Seriously great fun!

Whilst the night did fall victim at times to lapsing into kitschy Ceilidh reels, which Grant surely plays in his sleep, this was offset by unexpected and very welcome moments of pure Jazz and transatlantic Americana, more reminiscent of a Bruce Hornsby concert. Tom Gibbs on piano and Evan Burton on Bass the handbrakes to Grant’s over-excited free-wheeling fiddle.

Mischa Macpherson provides vocal accompaniment, but her under-powered and over manipulated Gaelic lilt fails to compete with the crowded sonic smorgasbord that has already been laid before us. Likewise, Mischa and Donald’s attempts to have an Edinburgh audience sing along – to anything, in this case a tweed beating response song – fall predictably flat!

But in truth there is something here for everyone. My favourite piece of the whole evening follows the interval, a stunning piece by Emily Doolittle, Falling Still beautifully played by the Ensemble is interwoven with the sweetest little Scottish reel from Grant who appears devil-like from behind a speaker, creating chills. More of this please!

And so, we come to the title piece of the evening. The Night Overtook Us, a story introduced by Grant, about the snow and the darkness and the biting cold of a Highland Winter. Inspired by the diary entry of an 18^th Century Shepherd in the highlands, who wrote of a violent storm which took the lives of sheep and cattle and shepherds, some frozen solid with their dogs beside them only meters from their homes. In truth I found it a bit too hot to conjure up the icy deaths of the lonely shepherds, but it was a fine collaborative climax to an enjoyable evening, nonetheless.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 13th April 2025

North West End UK Rating:

Running time – 2hr 15mins. (Including interval)