The quiet village of Helmsdale in Sutherland plays a key role in a hit new album by Scots music legend Edwyn Collins.
The ‘A Girl Like You’ star – who has a recording studio there – has just released his tenth solo work and is getting ready to tour later this year, two decades on from suffering major brain haemorrhages which almost cost him his life.
Following two major strokes in 2005, Edwyn and his wife, Grace Maxwell, built a recording studio in the village where the music icon’s family hails from.
It’s a place that’s played a pivotal part throughout the singer’s life – and even gets a namecheck on his latest album ‘Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation’, which has just been released.
STV NewsThe title of the album came from a vintage wooden speaker that has the motto carved into its frontage, which has pride of place in Edwyn’s custom-built analogue studio in Helmsdale.
Edwyn says he has lots of childhood memories of the Sutherland village.
“When I was seven years old, I was up in Helmsdale walking with my grandfather and my sister Petra.
“I remember later walking there when I was 20, surveying the hills. It’s a great place.”
Edwyn will play a series of dates across the UK in the autumn, which will be billed as his last tour.
The new album is a rich tapestry of styles with a wise, reflective theme throughout the songs. He says music was key to his recovery.
He said: “Music in general is a very big part of my life, my work, my enjoyment in life and it’s good therapy for me.
“I’m interested in glam rock, garage rock, indie, hip-hop, soul and punk. All different styles.”
While Edwyn’s looking forward to getting out on the road, he says his heart is in the Highlands.
And with Helmsdale as his backdrop he will be continuing to make music here for a long time yet to come.
“I’ve been looking forward and looking back – and in between,” he added.
“I am happy, generally, about life – my album is coming out, I walk along the shore in Helmsdale… it’s good.”
He added: “I’m a lucky b*****d.”
Edwyn Collins will perform at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal on September 27 on his The Testimonial Tour: A Last Lap Around the UK.
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