Date/Time
Date(s) - Mon 7th Oct - Sat 12th Oct, 2024
All Day
Location
Moniack Mhor, Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire , IV4 7HT
Songwriting: Connections
Join us for a week of creating new songs and connecting with other songwriters.
Songwriting can be a solitary pursuit with deep rewards but in my experience the connections I have made over the years have enriched my writing immeasurably and created a creative network that has led to unexpected adventures. I met Hafdís over 20 years ago and was immediately struck by her musicality and unique take on life. We worked on her first album together and our friendship now is as deep as ever. I met Xan Tyler, our guest, more recently and the record she has just produced was thrilling to be a part of.Boo Hewerdine
Tutors
Boo Hewerdine is a singer-songwriter, musician, producer and experienced tutor and mentor. He has written songs for Eddi Reader, k.d. lang, Chris Difford and many others. He has produced numerous albums, run a record label and been involved in music as a business for many years. His latest album, Understudy (a commercial and critical success), was released in 2022.
Hafdís Huld is an Icelandic singer/songwriter with an international fanbase and a loyal following in her home country. Her album Vögguvísur (Lullabies) is the most streamed album of all time in Iceland holding the nr.1 spot in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and Hafdis’ Spotify streams have reached over 85 million. Hafdís started her music career as a 15-year-old with electronic band Gus Gus, after touring the world and releasing two albums with the band she moved on to work with UK based FC Kahuna with whom she co-wrote and sang the chill out classic Hayling. In 2006 her first solo album won best pop album at the Icelandic music awards and ever since she has focused on her solo career releasing a total of 10 albums and touring in Europe, America and China. Hafdis is a born storyteller with a magnetic stage presence and is often referred to as a natural stand-up comedian. Her live shows seamlessly move between beautiful songs and entertaining down to earth tales of her life in Iceland.
Guest Reader
Xan Tyler is a singer and songwriter from London now based in Fife, Scotland. In May 2024 Xan released her debut solo album, Holding Up Half The Sky which reached No.4 in the Official Scottish Albums Chart. Produced by Boo Hewerdine, the album is receiving radio play and positive reviews about its themes inspired by stories of female empowerment. Although Holding Up Half The Sky is her debut solo it is not Xan’s first record or indeed first record deal. Starting out on Creation Records as one half of Technique, Xan later collaborated with Mad Professor on his Ariwa label and as one half of Let It Come Down on Shimmy Disc and Joyful Noise.
Fees
The full fee for this course is £725. This includes your accommodation in a single room with shared bathroom, all meals, hot drinks and snacks from Monday afternoon until Saturday morning, and your tuition. For more information about the practicalities of our courses and retreats, please visit our About the Courses page.
A limited number of en-suite rooms are available, which can be booked in advance for a £50 surcharge. We will also reserve an en-suite room for anyone who may need it due to a medical condition. This will be offered out as an upgrade nearer the course start date if it is not needed.
A limited number of Twin Room places are available at a discounted price of £675 per person. When booking a Twin Room place, please tell us in the comments box which gender you are and which gender(s) you are comfortable sharing a room with. This information will remain confidential.
A deposit is required to secure your place, which is non-refundable after a 14-day cooling-off period. The balance payment of £575 is due six weeks before the course begins. Refunds are not always available – please read our Terms & Conditions for full details about our cancellation policy. If you would like to pay the full amount in advance, please call our booking office on 01463 592 828 or email info@moniackmhor.org.uk.
Bursaries are always available, and you also have the option to pay in instalments. If you have any problems paying online, or wish to discuss paying in instalments or applying for financial help, or would simply like assistance, please contact us by emailing info@moniackmhor.org.uk or phoning us on 01463 592828.
Access
Please let us know in your booking form if you have any access requirements, for example a ground floor bedroom and / or access to a step-free accessible shower room. We also reserve one en-suite bedroom per course for anyone who may need this due to a medical condition. For more information about access to our courses, please visit our Access page.
Terms and Conditions
Please read our Terms & Conditions before booking.
Bookings
This course is now fully booked. Please contact us on info@moniackmhor.org.uk or 01463 741 675 to be added to the waiting list.