Plants of the wintergreen family grow wild among the pines of the old Caledonian forest around the Cairngorms. The song was written after one of my visits to this area, and was actually composed while I was in God’s Other Country - Wales.
This is possibly the one song for which I have become best known. The Skelpit Lug Ceilidh Band sometimes perform it when we are looking for a break in the dancing. It was recorded by that well-known duo, Gaberlunzie, on their album "Rolling Home"; and also by Agnes Wightman of Dumfries. Others have also adopted it.
The meaning is clear - I have always loved being in the hills, and this yearning pervades many of my songs. It’s perhaps most clearly expressed in this song; and maybe that’s why it seems to speak to so many other people. |
