The Rinns of Islay
Helen Mackinnon
  Description
 
Instrumentation Genre Ensemble (with conductor)
Tag orchestra
Duration 20 minutes
Instrumentation Flute (+ piccolo) [1 player]; Flute [1 player]; Oboe (+ cor anglais) [1 player]; Oboe [1 player]; Clarinet [1 player]; Clarinet (+ bass clarinet) [1 player]; Bassoon [1 player]; Horn [4 players]; Trumpet [3 players]; Trombone [1 player]
    
  
  
The Rinns of Islay for symphony orchestra is a musical journey around the coastal shores of the Inner Hebridean island of Islay, home to my grandparents and generations before. Known for its rich terrain, complex climate, and peaty whisky, Islay’s stunning natural environment served as the creative inspiration for the work. Five short thematic movements adopt distinct characters as they take us on a tour of the island by day and night. The work centres around The Rinns – a beautiful peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The work was recorded by the RSNO in 2021 and released on Legends and Light Vol. 2 in early 2022, and was awarded a Silver Medal in the Global Music Awards in 2022.
Link to find out more
Instrumentation Genre Ensemble (with conductor)
Tag orchestra
Duration 20 minutes
Instrumentation Flute (+ piccolo) [1 player]; Flute [1 player]; Oboe (+ cor anglais) [1 player]; Oboe [1 player]; Clarinet [1 player]; Clarinet (+ bass clarinet) [1 player]; Bassoon [1 player]; Horn [4 players]; Trumpet [3 players]; Trombone [1 player]
Performances of this work
| Date | Venue | Performer | Link | 
| 08/05/2022 (*premiére) | Perth Concert Hall, Perth, Scotland, UK | None | 
Upcoming events
- 06 Nov 2025, 19:00
 [Cryptic Nights: Shrine // Sorcha Pringle]
- 06 Nov 2025, 19:30
 [STEVE REICH + (Scottish Chamber Orchestra: New Dimensions)]
- 06 Nov 2025, 20:00
 [The Night With... Rachel Koblyakov]
- 07 Nov 2025, 19:30
 [STEVE REICH + (Scottish Chamber Orchestra: New Dimensions)]
- 08 Nov 2025, 20:00
 [The Night With... Rachel Koblyakov]
Recent updates
Works
- The Monkey and the Camel, by Claire McCue
- Colours of the City, by Oliver Searle
- Water and Slate, by Drew Hammond
Events
- Cryptic Nights: Shrine // Sorcha Pringle
- The Night With... Rachel Koblyakov
- Composers' Day 2025: Performative Music Workshop
Projects
- On a Wing and a Prayer
- On a Wing and a Prayer - presentation
- Composers' Conversations - Pete and Joe Stollery
Opportunities
- In Motion 2026 - Sound and Music
- Job Vacancy - Digital Officer
- Composers' Day 2025: Performative Music Workshop
