'Silver' is a tribute to my father-in-law-to-be, Charlie Kennedy. Charlie was born in Dunbeath and has lived there his whole life. I've no doubt he'll be there until he heads off to "the next place," as he might say himself. He's a man of quiet loyalty, strong roots, and deep affection for Celtic and Irish music, and 'Silver' is written for him.
Dunbeath is a magical little town in Caithness, not far from Wick. It's the kind of place that moves at its own pace, with a fairy-tale castle perched on the cliffs above and the river running straight into the North Sea, right in front of Charlie's window. The harbour, once the heart of a fishing village, is now a gentle mix of locals, small businesses and visitors in camper vans, drawn to its peace and charm.
This song is not just for Charlie. It's for Dunbeath. It's for the spirit of a place that knows how to leave well enough alone, where tradition doesn't boast, but simply stays. Where time is marked not by urgency, but by tides and seasons.
One of Dunbeath's most famous sons is the writer Neil Gunn, whose novel The Silver Darlings gives this song its name. The book honours the herring fishers who once sailed from these shores. 'Silver' hopefully honours all of it, the castle, the coast, the stories, and above all, the people like Charlie who keep it alive.
'Silver' is for a town that has found its rhythm, and never felt the need to change it.
— Finn Moray
Verse 1
I was born by the water,
where the river meets the sea,
where Dunbeath Castle keeps its watchin' eye on me.
The gulls call in the mornin',
the heather scents the breeze,
and the strath rolls wide and gentle down to the North Sea.
Chorus
Take me home to Dunbeath,
where the strath runs wild and free,
through the hills and through the stories,
carved in memory.
From Neil Gunn's words to the harbour's song,
my heart sails with the Silver Darlings.
Verse 2
Old stone walls and stories
that the fishermen still tell.
The peat smoke on the hillside,
I know that land so well.
Neil Gunn wrote of rivers
and the freedom they would bring,
and I still hear that current every time I sing.
Chorus
Take me home to Dunbeath,
where the strath runs wild and free,
through the hills and through the stories,
carved in memory.
From Neil Gunn's words to the harbour's song,
my heart sails with the Silver Darlings.
Bridge
From the braes down to the shoreline,
where the breakers kiss the stone,
no matter where I wander,
I'll never walk alone.
For the strath runs in my veins,
and the castle guards my dreams.
Dunbeath will always hold me,
like the river holds its stream.
Final Chorus
Take me home to Dunbeath,
where the strath runs wild and free,
through the hills and through the stories,
carved in memory.
From Neil Gunn's words to the harbour's song,
my heart sails with the Silver Darlings.
Outro
Dunbeath, my Caithness… with the Silver Darlings.
Testimonials for The Silver Darlings
“Beautiful song and fantastic voice. Love it. We are so lucky to live here and call it home.”
Lorraine MacKay
Listener
“Just a beautiful song. Thank you for sharing with us. Lovely voice.”
Barbara Smith
Listener
“What a lovely song.”
Catriona Yellop
Listener
“Brilliant composition and great voice. It's a seriously professional production, mixed to perfection. Thanks for sharing. It's a beautiful piece.”
Ian Brough
Listener
“Beautiful song and fantastic singer, emotional piece of music.”
Marion Sutherland
Listener
“That's lovely and it'll be heard in a few houses at New Year that's for sure.”
Hugh Macleod
Listener
“Love this...beautiful song about a beautiful place. Born and brought up in Dunbeath.”
Heather Hernandez
Listener
“Stunning voice and great words. Beautiful.”
Shona Harmsworth
Listener
“A fabulous piece of music for a wonderful place.”
Judi Gunn
Listener
Explore More Songs
View All 15 Tracks