“The Magnificent Clyde,” a journey on foot, documents the people and the history of the river Clyde throughout the ages from sea and back with original music, samples, interviews, literature, photography, video, collaborative musical storytelling, all accompanying a story of the second city of the empire, its decline, and the hope, and dreams of a population to reinvigorate the Clyde, to build ships, to transport goods, to give purpose to a generation obsessed with social media, and inspire a new connection from the despair of the concrete wastelands, disconnected from the beating heart of the city, the water.
In the story we uncover plastic contamination of the waterways, the apathy towards the river, casual violence, drunkenness, drugs, ignorance, homelessness, and domestic abuse, along its shores, not to mention the poor health of the nation, obesity, obsession with money, the lack of it, and what has become of the other species the human inhabitants have brushed aside.
As we journey through the Clyde we will also attempt to uncover whether the great human spirit of the Scottish people and their aspirations to create a better scotland for all still exists, or whether they are happy to just let the aspirations crumble into the river…
A collaborative, evolving work created by the people for the people.
This is a work unlike any other.
The work will begin when Alan and his faithful labrador Hari, friend to the scottish people pack their backpacks in February on a dry day in 2025, as part of the Clyde2025.scot and the Cleanuptheclyde.scot project.
As with all Alan’s projects, there are also several other layers, including a litter pick along the Clyde, new music, new literature, and the search for new crew for The Ariana Sailing Company, a plastic free, zero energy produce trading company based in Inverkip, Inverclyde.
In Alan’s opinion boys and girls need adventure, and purpose, as well as lot of fun, and a life at sea is just what they need ! Kids hanging about street corners, from disadvantaged families, and people causing social problems for others, those who are violent and addicted, are all welcome! Though it doesn’t mean all will make the grade. He will be recruiting in March, from all over the clyde…
In return they will receive a small 28ft sailing ship, with all sea comfort to call their own, employment, purpose, and sanctuary in a peaceful, creative environment, all the while developing new skills, resilience, and the will to help others less fortunate, creating an evolving compassionate environment towards each other, the natural environment, and the other species we we share the Clyde with.
It will not be for everybody, and many people will drop out to go back to their lives, but those who succeed will become men and women the clyde is proud to call their sons and daughters.
Watch this space.
Alan
Alan Macmillan Orr (Scottish with an English Accent)
themagnificentclyde.scot
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