Scotland's 'loudest library' to open its doors on northern island

At a time when funding cuts are crippling confidence in the creative sector, one music organisation is managing to expand its reach

With thousands of musical instruments in its care, Scotland’s ‘loudest library’ has been supporting communities in cities and rural areas across the country.

Launched in 2017, Music Broth, a social enterprise based in Glasgow, started with just eight instruments.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At the time, the founders believed they were one of just three music libraries like them in the world, the others being Joe's Mill in Canada and Jason Cool with a musical instrument van in California.

A ukulele workshop held by Music Broth in GlasgowA ukulele workshop held by Music Broth in Glasgow
A ukulele workshop held by Music Broth in Glasgow | IEM Photography

Today, Music Broth has more than 3,000 musical instruments in its library and it is expanding.

This month, the organisation will launch a service at An Lanntair, an arts and culture centre in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.

The Hebridean space joins a growing list of hubs in rural Scotland connected to Music Broth, including the Buzz Project in Fort William, which supports young people.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Those interested will be able to order instruments from Music Broth’s online catalogue, which will then be delivered to the island. The long-term goal is to set up an official hub with a collection of instruments on site.

For the launch on October 22, the organisation will be bringing some 20 instruments that have already been requested by the community, and hosting a series of workshops and talks.

“We do so much more than just sharing instruments,” said founding director Jen O’Brien, who will travel to Lewis for the event while on tour with her band Steeljoy.

Founding director of Music Broth Jen O'BrienFounding director of Music Broth Jen O'Brien
Founding director of Music Broth Jen O'Brien | IEM Photography

“We do all sorts from workshops, tuition, gigs and events. The Music Broth is all about people being able to be creatively themselves, and just being able to express themselves in whatever way they want and not having any barriers to that.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The organisation is supported by an affordable membership plan that includes a monthly fee of £6 for an individual, and £12 for a family. For those who cannot afford the cost, it is just pay what you can. Ms O’Brien said 99 per cent of the instruments had been donated, and that support also came from people donating financially or their time as volunteers.

An Lanntair, a culture and arts centre in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer HebridesAn Lanntair, a culture and arts centre in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides
An Lanntair, a culture and arts centre in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides | John Maher

Music Broth works closely with the Scottish Refugee Council. It was a request for some instruments from two Ukrainian refugees living on Lewis that got the ball rolling for establishing the link with the Outer Hebrides.

The latest round of funding cuts has been “really worrying” for the future of Music Broth, the team said. The organisation relies on money from Creative Scotland, which was recently condemned in an inquiry led by Holyrood's culture committee.

The report criticised the "regrettable and unhelpful" 11th-hour announcement that decisions on 281 funding applications were being delayed for three months, Music Broth being one of them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But with a self-sustainable model, Ms O’Brien said the organisation was able to keep afloat, with support from other organisations, including Highlands Third Sector Interface.

“As well as the membership money, which is really helpful for us, we also rent out sound equipment that we have in our library to bands touring who might not be able to bring their kit from overseas,” she said.

Moira Macdonald, of An Lanntair, said: “We’re looking forward to working with Music Broth, and hope the scheme will grow. There are so many musicians in Lewis and Harris so I hope it will be a useful resource that people will use.”

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.

Dare to be Honest
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice