When You Want To Get High, Go To The Highlands

Highlands: Inspiration is like a form of getting high. And for me, there is nothing higher than natural beauty.

Hi, Lands!

My spouse and I recently visited Scotland. There is no place more filled with beautiful, natural scenes: majestic hiking, mountain tops, lochs, glens, and bens.

Of course, the Scots named things first. So, the words are not the same as we say in the United States. Lakes are lochs; mountains are bens; and valleys are glens. Somehow, even the names help make it more inspiring.

Each vista seemed more exhilarating than the one before as we traveled. Truly, the Highlands are a sight to behold.

Tea and Jam

This was the first journey I can remember where we had to slow down a bit. (My spouse and I have each had injuries that are lingering.) But we still saw so much amazing magic across the Highlands of Skye and the mainland.

One of the amazing joys of Scotland is the folk music jams. In pubs all about Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Highlands, the local musicians pull together to play familiar tunes. We had a blast drinking single malt and listening.

In the USA, folk jams rarely include a piano. The pub jams that we saw in Edinburgh were piano rich. It typically held down the bass along with vamp and occasional solos. Now, that’s what I call a good jam.

Highlands

The Highlands are both colossal and dainty beauty. Besides the tall bens, the fairy glens are delightful, too. Yes, there’s really a place called Fairy Glen and it is truly magical.

Finally, the journey ends (as it began) in the city of Edinburgh. Another place filled with magic and awe. We enjoyed the culinary delights, cacaphonic cathedrals, and much more.

As you can see here, the Highlands inspired me to create this suite of piano improvisations. Please remember that when you download from the link below, you directly support me and my ability to make more music. Thanks for reading, responding, and listening.

Of course, if you prefer to stream this suite, you may do that, too. Click here to select your favorite streaming radio.