The project draws deeply from her experiences on a recent expedition into Scotland’s Cairngorm Mountains, retracing the footsteps of pioneering Scottish nature writer Nan Shepherd (1893-1981).

Through Cloud Walking, Boyd explores themes of connection to the landscape, the emotional highs and lows of the expedition, and the transformative power of spending time outdoors. Each track reflects the unique blend of solace and challenge that the mountains offered, capturing not just the journey itself but the deeper exploration of self that emerges through stepping away from the everyday.

“I wanted Cloud Walking to reflect not just the physical journey of traversing the mountains, but the inner journey as well. Nan Shepherd’s writing encouraged us to appreciate the mountain for more than just reaching the top. Her slow, intentional approach helped me see the landscape in a different way, and that’s what I’ve tried to capture in this music—the beauty and challenges with being truly present in a place.”

— ALICE BOYD