A 1000-year-old oak tree could be immortalised in music by the Scottish band which
has given the ancient Highland tree its name.
The Skipinnish Oak of Lochaber is in the running for the prestigious Tree of the Year title against 11 other oak contenders from across the UK.
Celtic band Skipinnish - which is marking its 25th anniversary this year - has promised
to compose a tune fitting of its award-winning status if it was to be voted the UK’s
top tree in 2024. Voting closes on 21st October. People can vote through the Woodland
Trust website.
The name was given to the tree because of Skipinnish co-founder Andrew Stevenson
who is from the area and has known the tree from his days as a young boy growing
up around Achnacarry Estate where it is located.
The day after a Skipinnish gig several years ago, Andrew guided a group of Scottish woodland experts to this previously unrecorded tree surrounded by conifers. They were unbelievably excited by it and its provenance and gave it the official name of The Skipinnish Oak.
The Tree of the Year competition is run by the Woodland Trust to celebrate the contribution trees make to people’s lives and the planet. The winner will go on to represent the UK in the Europe Tree of the Year competition.
Skipinnish’s Andrew Stevenson is thrilled with the tree’s nomination and his own
place in dendrological history. He said: “I’ve known this tree all my life. It was
part of my childhood and was a feature of the landscape I grew up in. Little did
I know that a guided walk with some experts many years ago would lead to Skipinnish
having a 1000-year-old oak named after us and is now in the running for this accolade.
I’m immensely proud.
He added: “Our music is rooted in the land, the sea and the people of the Highlands and Islands. They are all inextricably connected. We will strengthen this link further with some new music specially for The Skipinnish Oak should it come out on top in the poll and to add to its history.”
Skipinnish are riding high during their 25th anniversary year. In July they performed in front of over 8000 fans at Edinburgh Castle, which was also the subject of a BBC Alba documentary. Next month, Skipinnish will play at London’s 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 28th September2024 to round off their anniversary celebrations. The Skipinnish wave of musical energy will grow even higher next year, having just announced their biggest ever gig at the 14000 capacity Ovo Hydro in Glasgow on 27th September 2025. Tickets for their concerts can be purchased through the Skipinnish website.
Skipinnish plan song for ancient oak if it wins Tree of the Year
26 August 2024
