Celebrating the essence of Scottish heritage and creative excellence, legendary Scottish band, Simple Minds provide an extraordinary soundtrack for The Spirit of 1926, drawing inspiration from the remarkable story of Janet ‘Nettie’ Harbinson and upon their own personal history.
The song gracefully evokes the landscape behind our whisky, effortlessly capturing its essence. Lead singer Jim Kerr re-imagined the song and brought the sound of the Celtic pipes into the composition. The inclusion of this Celtic dimension serves as a poignant tribute, resonating with the depth of our shared Scottish heritage, valued by both The Macallan and Simple Minds.
"It’s landscape, it’s mist, it’s the voice of nature. It’s the voice of time."
Jim Kerr
Simple Minds
This collaboration between The Macallan and Simple Minds is underscored by a profound connection and shared appreciation for storytelling.
The emotional depth of ‘Solstice Kiss’ beautifully interweaves with the extraordinary narrative of The Spirit of 1926. Following her husband's death, Janet ‘Nettie’ Harbinson bravely took the reins of The Macallan Distillery. Driven by conviction and a belief in doing the next right thing, she crafted the most valuable single bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction - The Macallan 1926.
In ‘Solstice Kiss’, Simple Minds capture the essence of Nettie’s journey and her unwavering commitment to both The Macallan and her community. The soundtrack's emotional depth serves as a testament to her remarkable story and the guiding spirit of The Macallan.
"It has a great story. It has drama. This piece of music can definitely work in the context of Nettie's story."
Charlie Burchill
Simple Minds
Meet Simple Minds
Formed in the seventies, and named after a lyric – ‘so simple minded’ – from David Bowie’s seminal 1972 single The Jean Genie, Simple Minds have become one of the most successful bands ever to come from the UK.
They have sold over 60 million records worldwide, having number one singles on both sides of the Atlantic, and number one albums the world over, including five UK number one albums
Over the past 10 years Simple Minds has rekindled the magic that made them a vital artistic force in their early days, found themselves referenced by younger artists and playing to tens of thousands of people every year, all over the world.
They have been the recipient of the Q Awards Lifetime Achievement and received universal critical acclaim for their recent albums. 2015’s Big Music was described by MOJO magazine as “their best album in 30 years”, and 2018’s Walk Between Worlds saw Simple Minds play their largest US tour to date and, along with 2022’s Direction Of The Heart, charted at number 4 in the UK.
This collaboration invites us to immerse ourselves in the powerful synergy of music and whisky. The music video for ‘Solstice Kiss’ can be watched on YouTube, while the song is available now on all digital streaming platforms.
In a momentous celebration of the Spirit of 1926, Simple Minds graced The Macallan Estate with a live performance in November. Their captivating music echoed through our Spiritual Home, forging an unforgettable connection between their musical brilliance and the timeless legacy of The Macallan.
It was a fusion of artistry and heritage, marking a milestone in the shared journey of this special collaboration.
This partnership is an ode to the passion, creativity, and timeless charm that defines both The Macallan and Simple Minds. Together, we are reminded of the power of music and the extraordinary stories that can be found in every sip of The Macallan.
THE MACALLAN 1926
In 2019 The Macallan 1926 broke the world record for most valuable single bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction. This is Nettie’s legacy, encapsulated in a single, incomparable spirit.