CREATAR OF THE MONTH
Seabird-ecologist-cum-musician Jenny creates immersive mountain sounds inspired by the same Cairngorm mountains beloved by Nan Shepherd
THE CAIRNGORMS feel like home to Jenny Sturgeon, who spent her childhood exploring this unique landscape. In adulthood, its plateau, nooks and crannies are still unique despite their familiarity. As seasons shift, Jenny tells The Great Outdoors, so does the quality of light and sound of the place – an ever-altering essence driving the 36-year-old musician’s album The Living Mountain.
This audiovisual concept album is inspired by Nan Shepherd’s seminal book of the same name, which engrossed Jenny upon first reading. Each song is dedicated to a chapter exploring the water, mist, life and senses of these mountains.
Much like plotting a route into the Cairngorms, Jenny likes that “there are no rules to songwriting… There are tools and techniques to make the process easier, but creating a song is completely up to the writer. The structure, lyrics, melody and accompaniment provide so many possibilities for creative expression.”
The Cairngorms are also a haven for her first love: wild creatures. “The door was always open in our house, with people and animals coming and going all the time. As well as watching birds and guddling about in ponds for minnows and tadpoles, people in the local community would bring injured wild animals to our house for my mum to look after, including crows, a pheas
