Congratulations to Mhairi Hall & David de la Haye who has / have been nominated in Album of the Year sponsored by BirnamCD in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for Mhairi Hall & David de la Haye now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 5th December in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Mhairi of Mhairi Hall & David de la Haye the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
We invite you dive into a unique underwater sonic journey of a selection of lochs from the Scottish Highlands. Underwater Cairngorms, the new album from Scottish composer Mhairi Hall and renowned field recordist David de la Haye, combines the mysterious underwater soundscapes of freshwater lochs with impressionistic piano composition. Underwater Cairngorms transforms our understanding of the Cairngorms landscape through imagination and creativity whilst documenting the environmental challenges of these freshwater locations. This unique collaboration between piano, harmonium, and underwater soundscape transports the listener to another world. Although sounding digitally processed, the album is almost entirely acoustic, from the resonance of the piano strings, the breath of harmonium bellows, the reverbs of lochs and the sounds of aquatic nature.
Over the course of a calendar year, Mhairi and David researched the seasonal effects on the underwater soundscapes. Freshwater habitats remain largely undocumented across the UK and have never been recorded in the Cairngorms until now. Over the year, Mhairi and David visited six locations: Loch Garten, River Feshie, Loch Morlich, An Lochan Uaine, An Lochan Uath and Loch Mallachie.
credits
released October 24, 2025
All underwater and field recordings by David de la Haye and Mhairi Hall
Grand piano and harmonium recorded in Gorbals Sound by Kevin Burleigh except ‘Uath’ which was recorded by Barry Reid on location at An Lochan Uath
Mixed by Kevin Burleigh
Mastered by Andy Bell
Produced by Mhairi Hall and David de la Haye
Any particular career highlights?
Having a career in music is a highlight. 🙂
What are your plans for the future?
In 2027 Mhairi will be touring elements of Underwater Cairngorms in a new immersive show with Jenny Sturgeon called 'From the Mountain'.
Mhairi Hall & David de la Haye Social Media
Website: http://mhairihall.com
Facebook: @mhairihall
Instagram: @mhairi.hall
YouTube: @strathrecords
Listen to music: http://mhairihalldaviddelahaye.bandcamp.com/album/underwater-cairngorms
The 2026 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 5th December 2026 in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here).
Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night will welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including Valtos, Gnoss, Sian, Fèis Phàislig, Spodo Komodo and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Rachel Groves and many more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.