Karine Polwart's Scottish Songbook

Karine Polwart's Scottish Songbook was released in 2019 through Hegri Music as a labor of love, designed to revitalize and preserve the folk heritage of Scotland. Polwart, a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter known for her literate and poignant lyrics, curated this collection of traditional and contemporary Scottish songs to bridge the gap between historical storytelling and modern musical sensibilities. The project originated from her residency at the Edinburgh International Festival, where she sought to explore how classic songs reflect the social, political, and cultural identity of her homeland.

The album features stripped-back, atmospheric arrangements that emphasize the lyrical weight and emotional resonance of the material. Polwart worked closely with her long-time collaborators, including producer and multi-instrumentalist Inge Thomson, to craft a soundscape that felt both intimate and expansive. Upon its release, the record received widespread critical acclaim for its thoughtful curation and Polwart's emotive delivery, cementing its status as an important contribution to the Scottish folk canon and a testament to the enduring power of oral tradition in a recorded format.