Archive

Hello friends, 

I don’t know where the time goes, but here we are, nearly two weeks into the Edinburgh Fringe, schools going back and the early signs of Autumn are in the air. I hope this finds you well.

There are a few things I’m excited to share with you — my new journey into Biofield Tuning, some news from the Lismore Dance Band, and bookings for my 2027 Lismore Fiddle Retreats are now open! 

Something new is unfolding…

For most of my life, I’ve worked with sound. I’ve played it, sung it, listened to it, taught it, performed it and explored what happens when sound enters a room — and what it does to us.

I’ve also carried a lifelong curiosity about sound and healing.

That curiosity has recently taken me somewhere new. I’ve trained as a Biofield Tuning practitioner, working with precision-calibrated tuning forks and the body’s electromagnetic field.

It’s a fascinating meeting point between sound, vibration, the nervous system and deep relaxation — and it feels like a very natural next step in my journey with sound.

One of the questions I’m often asked is: “But what actually happens?”

The truth is, everyone experiences it differently. But I thought I’d share what one person said after a session:

“I can’t recommend Mairi highly enough. From the moment I met her, I felt completely at ease. She creates such a warm, welcoming space that you instantly feel supported. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the session helped me slow down, release what I’d been carrying, and reconnect with myself.”

I’m now offering private Biofield Tuning sessions, both in person and remotely. 

If you’re curious about what this might be like, I’d love to hear from you. To find out more at mairicampbell.scot/biofield-tuning

Sessions last between 45–60 minutes | £65

E: mairi@mairicampbell.scot 

Whatsapp: +447988894334

Lismore Fiddle Retreats 2027 — bookings now open!

I’m delighted to let you know that bookings are now open for my 2027 Lismore Fiddle Retreats. Come and spend a few days immersed in tunes, playing, listening and sharing music — with plenty of time to breathe, wander and enjoy the magic of Lismore.

Whether you’re an experienced player or still finding your way around the fiddle, these retreats are about developing your playing, discovering new tunes and rhythms, and finding more freedom and confidence in your music.

“It was a challenging but fun time with the right ‘space’ for personal growth and connection in all ways: skills development, musicality, knowledge and technique, harmonising with the natural world- it felt like a spiritual journey – quite special.”

“It really delves into what it means to make music with others.  I think a lot of us adult learners tend to focus on the technique required to achieve a certain sound, but take a long time to make any kind of emotional connection, to turn it from ‘notes in the right order’ to a form of communication.“

There are three retreats to choose from, with places limited to 10.

Come and join us on Lismore!

DATES: 

• 15–19 March 2027
• 10–14 May 2027
• 28 June–2 July 2027

To find out more about the Lismore Fiddle Retreats, visit mairicampbell.scot/lismore-fiddle-retreats/fiddle-retreats

Lismore Ceildh Dance Weekend 2027

Join us for a wee festival of Scottish dancing on the magical Isle of Lismore. 

The Lismore Dance Band is delighted to welcome The Occasionals in 2027 for a special weekend of Scottish dancing, live music and island hospitality. Places are limited to 60. 

BOOKINGS OPEN 1ST SEP – PRE-REGISTER NOW OPEN! (eventbrite.co.uk link)

June 4 – 6 2027

Cross the water to Lismore, where the pace slows, friendships grow and music fills the village hall. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or taking your very first steps, you’ll find a warm welcome as we share great music, laughter and community.

Take time to breathe the island air, explore Lismore’s beautiful landscapes, and spend your evenings dancing together. Come and experience a weekend to remember—we’d love to welcome you.

Tickets on sale from September 1st, but you can pre-register now:

PRE-REGISTER NOW OPEN! (eventbrite.co.uk link)

More info at mairicampbell.scot/lismore-fiddle-retreats/scottish-country-dancing-weekend

Wishing you all the best in the month ahead. 

Mairi x

August 2026 newsletter (Sendy link)

Hi folks,

Currently in Australia, with Danish band Himmerland, having a great time at the Cygnet Folk Festival in Tasmania. Then we’re on to Illawarra Folk Festival in New South Wales where the weather will hopefully be less cold and wet. Didn’t bring enough warm clothes!!

It’s already looking like a full year ahead…

Very excited to announce that Kath Burlinson and I are creating a new show – Auld Lang Syne – which we’ll open at 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Lots to do between now and then but it’s feeling juicy. More to follow as the show unfolds.

My other big announcement is that Pulse’s London premiere will be at VAULT Festival, London’s most exciting theatre festival, in March. This is the first time I’ll be playing solo on this scale in London. Please come and say hi and take the opportunity to see some of the 300 shows exploding across this festival of festivals. Tickets for Pulse available here.

Back home at the end of January, it’s straight into rehearsals for Wolves, which we’re taking to Edinburgh, Stirling, Inverness and Paisley in February. Very stimulating to continue this work with choreographer/ director Natasha Gilmore and dramaturge Candice Edmunds, and absolutely loving working with my daughter Ellen, one of the show’s dancers. I thought we’d be arguing all the time, but it’s been great and Ellen is picking up the moves a lot quicker than me!

Also still a few spaces left for my Songcraft and Singing Workshop with Cera Impala on Lismore in June. More info here.

Mairi x

READ THE FULL JANUARY NEWSLETTER (pdf link) – INCLUDES DETAILS ABOUT VAULT, WOLVES, LISMORE AND MORE

BOOK NOW

The course will give you the tools to kickstart your songwriting and take it to a whole new level. Our camp creates the perfect conditions for your creative cooking: peaceful, supportive and inspiring.

Where: Carnie Cottage studio, Isle of Lismore, Argyll, Scotland. Accommodation:  Lismore Bunkhouse

When: Arrive on afternoon of Sunday June 17th 2018. leave on Saturday morning June 23rd

How much: £ 420  – this four day course includes 20 hours facilitation, accommodation and food

Lismore island information: www.isleoflismore.com

BOOK NOW

YOUR TUTORS

Mairi Campbell’s facilitation is influenced from her work as a singer, performer and she also uses InterPlay tools for creative exploration with all participants.

Mairi supports your voice wherever it is, whether it’s technical support, making your song your own or building confidence.

Cera Impala is a prolific and active songwriter and performer . She has a solid understanding of song form which she communicates clearly while offering a fun and a fresh approach to songwriting. She also makes a great chilli!

www.ceraimpala.com

Mairi and Cera share the cooking with help from participants. There will also be opportunity to professionally record your songs at a local recording studio.

MORE INFO

Carnie cottage, on the Island of Lismore, is Mairi’s family home. There is a cottage where we eat and a studio where we do the work. There’ll be plenty of opportunity to explore the island, connect with the ancient history and vibe of the place, and write a song a day!

The participants will be all staying at the new bunkhouse situated in the neighbour’s croft behind Carnie Cottage. Ferries to the island leave from Oban (car ferry) and Port Appin (passenger ferry only). We are situated in the centre of the island.

REVIEWS

Quotes, reviews and highlights from the 2017 course:

“The improvisation exercises were a revelation, opening up new ways of co-operating and creating.”

“Lismore is an ideal setting, and the studio is a beautiful space. The accommodation and relaxed atmosphere open up opportunites for creative collaboration “

“Hearing other people’s work and learning how they create songs was wonderful and inspiring.” Supporting each other to be with so many challenging emotions and to bring them into our work.”

“Arriving on Lismore, and having the afternoon free, I wandered down to the bay at Sailean.  It was beautiful and peaceful, with a whole bunch of wildlife to enjoy.

“The house ceilidh on the Friday night was a definite highlight, with a lovely atmosphere in the cottage. It was great to hear everyone’s new songs, and meet a few of the locals.”

“The first dinner was a fantastic time of getting to know each other and getting us all ready for the week ahead.”

“The whole vibe at the course was really quite something – it seems very rare to find such an atmosphere of support, encouragement and positivity.  The course nudged me out of my comfort zone, and inspired me to have a more open-minded approach to creativity.”

“Mairi and Cera’s styles are quite different, but combined well to create a wonderful and varied week.”

“A potent brew of scrummy food, a beautiful island, excellent accommodation and highly skilled and caring facilitators.”

“Great group work activities, learned a lot from facilitators and other participants”

“Excellent team work by Mairi and Cera. Their workshops on voice work and creative writing, beautifully complimenting each other.”

“Hospitality superb, a relaxed and non-competitive atmosphere cultivated, creating an optimum learning experience.”

For questions or further information please email mairi@mairicampbell.scot

Hi folks, I’m currently in Boston where I’ll be for the next few weeks.

I’m playing Pulse at Turners Falls in Massachusetts on 1 and 2 December – an invitation from the theatre company Serious Play in Northampton, MA. Tickets available here. I hooked up with Serious Play a couple of years ago when they presented guitarist John Sheldon’s show ‘The Red Guitar’ at the Edinburgh Fringe. John, who was given his first guitar by James Taylor (!), presents a wonderful story. Not to be missed when he’s back at the Fringe in 2018!

While I’m out here, I’m also featuring in the 15th annual A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, singing Auld Lang Syne along with a host of well known and less well known Christmas songs. Scottish composer Ali Burns’s song The Holy Holly will also be featured along with some wonderful jigs, reels and stepping. It’s a spectacular show! Can’t wait.

So, I’ve had a great year in many ways – making shows, playing gigs, exploring new edges and performance opportunities. Politically this country feels like it’s in meltdown but personally my tenacity and love of life and music has never been stronger.

Looking to 2018, in January I’ll be playing in Australia with Himmerland, then back with Barrowland Ballet for Wolves in Spring, singing and playing again, but this time with my daughter Ellen! A very special opportunity for us both. I’ll also be taking Pulse to London.

But more than anything, I’m excited about the new solo show that I’m working on, which will be ready for a full run at Edinburgh Fringe 2018. It promises to be funny and not a little enlightening about a song that so many know but few understand… a syne of the times?!

Go gently dear folks and hope to see you in 2018, if not before then.

Mairi x

Read the full newsletter (pdf link)