“Fieldwork is essentially about hearing stories. We need stories.
They help us understand ourselves and each other a bit better.”
Annabel Kershaw
Composer, The Mariner's Daughter
About
Co commissioned by the Sound Festival and supported by Creative Scotland, The Mariner's Daughter tells the stories of women, connected to the North Sea. Scored for quintet and recorded voices, this live performance work toured coastal venues in the North East of Scotland as part of Findhorn Bay Festival and the Sound Festival 2024.
The work was developed in June 2024 on a residency in Portsoy, Aberdeenshire. Watch this short video to find out more about the ensemble and the process of making the piece...
Fieldwork
Recorded interviews were carried out in the early part of 2024 and formed the bed rock of the work. Interviewees were all based in the North East of Scotland but were from different generations and were connected to the sea in a variety of ways, including work, family and community.
Watch this short video to find out more about the fieldwork process and the orignal inspiration for The Mariner's Daughter.
Stories
The stories detailed below, inspired the music of the work and were included within the concert programme notes.
In 2026, a digital release of the audio work version of The Mariner's Daughter is planned for later in the year. More details to come!
Gillian's Story
26th January, Tarland, Aberdeenshire
In August 1991, Gillian boarded a helicopter bound for an oil rig 99 miles off the coast of Northeast Shetland. This was to be her first time offshore and the beginning of a twelve-year long career as an electrical technician.
At the age of 21, Gillian was one of very few women working on the oil platforms situated in the North Sea. She was the first female apprentice to be based on BP Magnus - the rig that was to become her home from home over her time offshore.
I met with Gillian on a bright Friday afternoon in late January 2024. As we sat in her conservatory she spoke to me about her time on BP Magnus, reflecting on her experiences as a younger woman, her memories of working offshore and how these have left her with a continued sense of connection to those who work on the North Sea.
Photo credit: With thanks to Laurie Kelly
