An Unforgettable Evening with Malin Lewis at the McLellan Arts Festival
Last night at Whiting Bay Hall I had the privilege of photographing a truly memorable concert as part of the McLellan Arts Festival. The evening featured the remarkable Malin Lewis, an innovator and award winning multi instrumentalist whose music bridges tradition and invention in the most captivating way.
Malin’s performance was centred around a unique creation, a self made bagpipe of their own design, which added a distinctive voice to the soundscape. Blending the rich traditions of the Scottish West Coast with new ideas and textures, the music felt both timeless and utterly fresh.
Joining Malin on stage were two exceptional musicians: Sally Simpson on fiddle and Jenn Butterworth on guitar. Together they created a sound that was hair tingling in its intensity, philosophical in its depth, and joyously dance inducing in its energy. Their set carried influences from European folk traditions while remaining rooted in the landscape and culture of Scotland.
The hall was alive with the warmth of live music, and it was clear that everyone present was caught up in the magic of the performance. Nights like these remind me of why live music and the festivals that host it are so important. They bring people together, spark conversation, and leave us with moments we carry long after the final note fades.
For me, it was not only a chance to witness brilliant musicianship but also to capture it through the lens. Photographing performances like this, with so much emotion and movement, is always a privilege.
