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Chamber and committees

World Premiere of The Pebbles We Keep

  • Submitted by: Clare Adamson, Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 13 November 2025
  • Submitting member has a registered interest.

  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S6M-19699

That the Parliament congratulates the Motherwell opera singer, Monica McGhee, on the forthcoming world premiere of her debut song cycle, The Pebbles We Keep, at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; notes that the work celebrates and brings to life four centuries of words and experiences from Scotland’s female writers by setting eight poems by women from across the country’s history to music; understands that the oldest poem featured in the eight-movement cycle is Elizabeth Melville’s Ane Godlie Dreame, from 1603, which it understands is the first published poem by a Scottish woman, and that the most recent is contemporary poet Lisa Kennedy’s The Pebbles We Keep, from which the piece takes its title; recognises the creative achievement of composing a work that honours Scotland’s literary and cultural heritage through music, and wishes Monica McGhee every success with the premiere performance and in her ongoing artistic career.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Alasdair Allan, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Stephanie Callaghan, Bob Doris, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance