After 24 unforgettable days immersed in a musical residency in the rugged northwest of Scotland, I felt the familiar pangs of nostalgia setting in as I prepared to leave. From the windswept coastlines to the serene lochs, Scotland had woven itself into my music, my mind, and my soul. I wasn’t simply leaving a place; I was leaving a part of myself that had felt entirely at home there.
Link Youtube https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IiLdJGbkyLk
As I packed up in Tarbet and began the journey to Inverness, where I’d return my rented car, the landscapes that had so deeply influenced me drifted by one last time. The mountains, with their wild, untamed beauty, felt like silent companions bidding me farewell, and every bend in the road brought back memories of inspiration found in solitude and songs created in the heart of nature. The thought of leaving this place felt both surreal and bittersweet; I knew that Scotland’s echoes would stay with me for a long time.
The Road from Tarbet to Inverness
Setting out from Tarbet, the road to Inverness felt different than it had on my arrival. Where I’d once felt the thrill of the unknown, I now felt a quiet melancholy—a sense of leaving a chapter behind. Every village I passed, every loch reflecting the vast skies above, seemed to hold memories of those recent days filled with music, reflection, and deep connection to the land.
The drive allowed me to reflect on what this place had given me: the inspiration drawn from landscapes that seem untouched by time, the space to listen to the voice of nature, and the chance to dive deeply into my craft without distraction. In this isolated corner of the world, I found the clarity and peace I needed to create, to reconnect with my music, and to let new ideas flow. Leaving it felt like I was leaving a cherished collaborator behind.
🚂Follow my journey https://www.riccardopesmusic.com/musicandnatureinscotland
⚡️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riccardopes_music/
🙏 This was only made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Agostino Bran, Nicla Bravin, Silvana Vassili, Massimo De Mattia, luigina Perosa, Izabela Puszczykowska, Brenda Neece, CelloMuseum.org
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