A simple four bar melody was instated on my Hammond Organ. Next I developed a Fugue like repetition, then extended the melody. The result was the harp counterpoint and chords. I then devised the opening introduction including the introduction of the first bar theme on the harp preceded by the cymbal roll and timpani emphasis. Subsequent rolls include a snare drum roll.

My wife said it reminded her so much of the Highlands that she could smell the heather! I reminded her that in the 1970s and early 1980s I visited the Highlands and Isles for many years, sketch books in hand, to paint the landscapes, and that landscape, its mood, history and people were very much uppermost in my mind when working on The Heather Furzed Highlands. This depicts my journey from Inverness to Skye.

With the slower interlude I am looking across a wind swept Glen and musing on the tragic history of Scotland and the reason for all of the mournful bagpipe dirges post Culloden. Following this reflective interlude the main theme reasserts itself with a renewed life and vigour as Scotland reinvents itself for the modern age and looks forward with hope and optimism to reinstating a greater independence.