A Sound Map of the River Clyde (2026–27)
A Sound Map of the River Clyde is a new community-focussed music project initiated by composer Annea Lockwood in collaboration with Counterflows Music Festival, and led by sound artist and musician Tom Fisher (also known as Action Pyramid) alongside producer Emmie McLuskey.
Running throughout 2026–27, the project will culminate in a new composition tracing the entire River Clyde—from its source in the Southern Uplands, South Lanarkshire to its mouth at the Firth of Clyde.
Working with individuals, groups and communities who live, work and have a close relationship with the River Clyde, the project will create an aural portrait of the river through field recordings gathered along its length. The resulting work will be presented as a sound installation at Counterflows Music Festival 2027 (1–4 April).
Each community-made recording will be represented on a large wall map of the river. Every recording location will be marked with a corresponding number, alongside the time at which the site appears in the composition, the place name, and information about where the recording was made.
Get Involved
We’re inviting anyone with a connection to the River Clyde, an interest in field recording, or simply a love of listening to take part in A Sound Map of the River Clyde.
Visit the river, make a field recording, and submit it to the project. Your recording will become part of the Sound Map, be credited, and may be included in the final composition and installation presented at Counterflows Festival 2027.
You can make recordings using your own equipment or borrow a field recording kit from our equipment library at GLOSS.
We’ve also created a guide explaining how to make and submit your recordings which you can access here. This details our artist and hire agreements too.
When you submit a recording, we’ll ask you to complete a short recording log. This includes the location name and coordinates, the date and weather conditions, and any observations you made while listening and recording. Recordings should be between 3 and 10 minutes in length.
Field Recording Kit Library
Two field recording kits available at GLOSS – photo credit Tom Fisher
As part of the project, we are launching a small field recording kit library in partnership with GLOSS (Glasgow Library of Synthesised Sound).
GLOSS (Glasgow Library of Synthesised Sound)
Glasgow Library of Synthesized Sound is the the UK’s first electronic music library. We are a non-profit, artist-led, community-oriented space in the centre of Glasgow offering affordable and free access to instruments, workshops, education and community.
Two field recording kits will be available to borrow free of charge between July and November, giving participants the opportunity to make their own recordings of the River Clyde. Each kit can be borrowed for up to five days at a time.
Bookings can be made here through the GLOSS website from now until November.
Beyond this project, one of the recording kits will remain as a shared community resource based at GLOSS, providing greater access to specialist field recording equipment and encouraging ongoing engagement with the River Clyde through listening and sound recording.
We encourage everyone to spend time with the river, whether alone or together, and simply listen.
New to Field Recording?
If you’ve never used field recording equipment before, or would like some guidance or a refresher, we’d love you to join one of our free summer workshops led by Tom Fisher and Counterflows.
The workshops are open to everyone and will cover how to use the recording equipment, approaches to listening and field recording, and how to contribute recordings to the project. They’re also a chance to meet others interested in sound, listening and the River Clyde.
No previous experience is required—just curiosity and an interest in rivers.
After attending a workshop, you’ll be able to borrow a recording kit through GLOSS and contribute your own recordings. If you’re already experienced with field recording equipment, you’re welcome to borrow a kit directly. Two kits are available throughout the project for loans of up to five days.
Workshops will be running public workshops throughout August and September covering various aspects of fielding recording, river listening.
Sunday 9th August 2026 10am – 5:30pm. Open to all.
Workshop with Action Pyramid & Counterflows at GLOSS including Bowling Trip
Sunday 23rd August 2026 10am – 5:30pm. Open to all
Workshop with Action Pyramid & Counterflows at GLOSS including nearby field trip location TBC (Hydrophone underwater microphone focussed)
Saturday 29th August 2026 9am – 6.30pm. Open to all
Workshop with Action Pyramid & Counterflows in New Lanark (this workshop will be an all day trip with no indoor sessions)
Sunday 6th September 2026 10am – 5:30pm. Open to all
Workshop with Action Pyramid & Counterflows at GLOSS including Cardross Trip
Sunday 20th September 2026 10am – 5:30pm. Open to those aged 16-25* run in partnership (with Music Space)
Workshop with Action Pyramid & Counterflows at GLOSS in partnership with Music Space including nearby field trip location TBC
Due to the nature of field recording, weather may change, we will keep in contact with you about any changes to the proposed schedules.
*Our activity is for people aged up to 30 if they are:
Disabled, including those with a long-term illness, neurodiverse people and anyone else who would identify with the social model of disability.
Care experienced, and/or have been a young carer (including those with children or those who have cared for/are caring for someone with a long-term illness or disability).
Please contact music.space.programme@gmail.com if you would like to discuss any of this further, or if you have any questions.
Project Partners
We are pleased to be working in collaboration with the following groups and organisations:
Clyde River Foundation
Clyde River Foundation The Clyde River Foundation is a charity dedicated to research and education throughout the River Clyde Catchment. Researching the ecology of the River Clyde and its tributaries and promoting environmental education throughout the catchment.
Creative Recovery Inverclyde
A programme of participatory arts activity embedded within and developed through Your Voice Inverclyde’s Lived Experience Network.
Dundee Radio Club
Dundee Radio Club are a space for sonic exploration, gathering, listening, sharing sounds and opening ears.
GalGael Trust
GalGael are a working community based in Glasgow, Scotland. We work together on demanding common tasks that demonstrate ways of living with more humanity in our times.
Music Space
Music Space is an alternative learning programme for young people aged 16–25 who are based in Glasgow and interested in experimenting with sound and music. The programme launched in 2022 and is produced by AC Projects alongside Counterflows festival.
Sound Thought
Sound Thought is a collective of sound artists who produce events and projects around experimental sound and music by supporting emerging artists, creating opportunities, and building community across and beyond the arts.
Made possible through support from Creative Scotland’s Expanded Festival Fund
