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Shock Tales And Cocktails - Scottish Sunday

Chasing a Shadow

To mark the first anniversary of the death of Joe Strummer, former Clash bassist Paul Simonon embarked on a journey to the Skye forest planted in Strummer's memory. However, this project turned into a zen test as Simonon set out to find the cottage built by Strummer's great-great-grandfather on the nearby island of Raasay.

Traversing the Wilderness

Raasay, a small island located between Scotland's northwest coast and the Isle of Skye, is known for its vast stretches of uninhabited land. Simonon and his team set out on a treacherous journey through the Raasay wilderness, driving down a narrow road that seemed to stretch on endlessly. As they reached the end of the road, they continued on foot, climbing through a desolate landscape until they reached a ridge overlooking Loch Arnish.

The Quest for the Cottage

Simonon's mission was to find the cottage where Joe Strummer's great-great-grandfather was born. Guided by a photograph sent by Strummer's cousin, Simonon embarked on a challenging search through the wilderness. On their first attempt, they encountered a lone sheep that seemed to taunt them, as if saying, "It's just down here!" Unfortunately, they were unable to locate the cottage and had to turn back. Undeterred, Simonon tried again and eventually found the cottage, hidden among the ruins on Raasay.

A Spiritual Connection

Simonon saw this journey as a spiritual reconnection to Strummer's roots. While the forest on Skye served as a tribute to Strummer's memory, Simonon felt the need to go deeper, to the place where Strummer's ancestors once lived. In painting the forest and visiting the cottage, Simonon hoped to honor his friend's legacy in a way that was true to his own passion for art.

Remembering Joe Strummer

Joe Strummer, the iconic frontman of The Clash, passed away a year before Simonon embarked on his journey. Strummer's death left a void in the music world, and many tributes were paid to him. One unique tribute was the planting of a forest on Skye named Rebel's Wood in his memory. Simonon, a former bandmate and close friend, took on the task of painting the forest as a way to remember Strummer and pay homage to his environmental activism.

Simonon's journey through the wilderness of Raasay and his search for the cottage built by Strummer's ancestor highlights the deep connection between art, nature, and personal history. This unique tribute to Strummer serves as a reminder of his impact on music and his passion for making a difference in the world.

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