Traditional folk band Skipinnish have penned a song in memory of the Barra schoolgirl who was killed in the Manchester Arena bombing last year.
Eilidh MacLeod is the inspiration for the song Wishing Well, and now it is to be released to aid in the fundraising for a permanent memorial to the 14-year-old on her home island.
The teenager was on a dream trip from the island with her friend Laura MacIntyre to see pop star Ariana Grande last May, but never made it home alive. Laura was injured.
Angus MacPhail, co-founder of the band, said: “We have had huge support from the people of Barra and Vatersay – right back to our first summer as a band. We wanted to do this as when something like this happens so close to home it hits everybody terribly hard.”
“I wrote the song last winter but never really told anybody what it was about until the last month or so where I have met with Eilidh’s parents. I told them that the song was about Eilidh and they were very happy that their daughter was the inspiration for the song.
“The idea is the song will help with the fundraising for a permanent memory of Eilidh in Barra. A group from the band are running the Edinburgh half marathon and I myself will also be joining Team Eilidh on the 20th of May to take part in the Great Manchester Run to also generate funds.”
Eilidh’s great uncle Donald Manford said: “It’s a constant inspiration that Skipinnish have decided to do this.
“The family are touched by the generosity and the efforts people are going to. It really inspires all of us as we remember a wonderful person in our lives.”
Skipinnish are set to play to their largest ever audience this May as Edinburgh’s Usher Hall is to welcome the eight piece band along with 2,500 fans.
The 2017 Trad Music Award winners for ‘Best Live Act’ look set to build upon last year’s success of selling out every venue they played – including Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom a whole four months in advance of the concert date.
The band will be supported on Friday May 18 by multi-award winning Emily Smith and Jamie McClennan as well as the Inveraray and District Pipe Band who are currently World Champions.
Angus added: “There are going to be many poignant moments and a range of emotions throughout the night.”
