Pilgrim Souls is the elegant debut solo album from Glasgow-based musician Megan Henderson.

Pilgrim Souls is Megan’s response to the dream-like, impressionistic paintings of Highland artist Christine Clark, which seek to reflect the beauty of the human spirit as it turns to nature for renewal.

“My music is influenced by a mix of genres – trad and classical mainly. I drew inspiration for the album from fellow Fort William native and artist Christine Clark, whose paintings depict – in her own words - ‘imagined landscapes and narratives which transport us to unknown lands, conveying moments of solitude, love, hope, beauty and loss’. This is something I really connected with and wanted to reflect in my own art.”

The album features two tracks with vocals - 'The Composer' and 'Pilgrim Souls'. The Composer features Megan Henderson’s enchanting Gaelic vocals and has a soft and delicate sound. Meanwhile, the title track is hauntingly beautiful with Laura-Beth Salter’s emotional vocals describing a love story. Almost Home, which is an uplifting and optimistic tune, is another highlight.

Artists joining Megan on the album include Jack Smedley (fiddle), Mairi Campbell (viola), Su-a Lee (cello, saw), Olav Luksengård Mjelva and Anna Massie (mandolin) Laura-Beth Salter (voice and mandolin) and Alistair Iain Paterson (piano, harmonium).

The album was recorded by Euan Burton in June 2021 over three days at GloWorm Recording Studio in Glasgow. Pilgrim Souls was recorded completely in a live setting, with an added recording from Norway-based Olav Luksengård Mjelva.