Gaelic folk singer Josie Duncan, who won the BBC Young Folk Award is to release a homecoming anthem inspired by her most terrifying ordeal.
Josie, winner of the prestigious BBC Radio 2 award, will release An Turas Dhachaigh which translates as The Journey Home.
It is the first track to be released from her forthcoming album due for release on January 22, 2027.
The New Voices composer, who has forged a global reputation for her dual language songs after stunning live shows in Canada, Australia and Europe, first wrote the track in Glasgow during the Covid pandemic, when she was separated from her family in the Outer Hebrides.
“Honestly, I never thought I would record it,” Josie said. “It started out as a wee bop I wrote as part of a 45 minute suite and had no idea it would take on a life of its own. It just seemed to connect with so many folk.
“I felt that with people now starting to make their plans for travelling and going home, and all those festive journeys that will be happening next month, that this song was the most fitting to be the first single off my new album.”
Born and bred on the Isle of Lewis on the Outer Hebrides, Josie moved to Glasgow to build on her music success winning the BBC folk award, going onto headline shows and composing music.
But she was left stuck in the city when lockdown hit in 2020.
“I had so much jealousy of people who were spending lockdown at home, and, you know, their one walk a day was the beach, instead of me and my mask at Asda,” Josie said. “I just felt ‘that sounds so much better’, and so there I was, writing this piece, wishing I was home.
“The first time I performed it was for HebCelt’s ‘Survival Sessions’ opening concert - which was online, of course, because of the lockdown - but they had told me that they’d probably want me to do it in person the next year.
“So, then I had this goal that I could hold onto, that okay, I’m actually going to be going home at least next year, if not before.
“When I wrote this wee song, it was about looking at that journey, but through like the most rose-tinted glasses you possibly could have on.
“The song talks about the car windows being halfway down, and the world going by so quickly, and then about being on the ferry, and then, the people you love are waiting there for you, and they’re excited to see you.
“I wanted to write something completely joyful as part of my set and the journey of the song has been totally unexpected.”
An Turas Dhachaigh became the prescribed song for the rural choirs at the Mòd, with an arrangement by Corina Macinnes.
It features on her new album which was recorded on Lewis at the Wee Studio in Ness with its vistas overlooking the Atlantic.
Lifelong school friend Scott C. Park produced and performed on the track which also features Scottish-Icelandic percussionist Signy Jakobsdottir, singer songwriter Michael McGovern, musician Jonathan PM and renowned fiddler Alastair Caplin.
“They are such legends”, Josie said. “It was so amazing to be home and working together.”
Tickets are available for her full-band gig and album launch at Celtic Connections at Cottiers Theatre in Glasgow on Friday, January 22.
“I’m so grateful to Celtic Connections,” she added. “This is a dream for me.”