Loch Lomond (gaelic for ‘Lake of the Elms’) is a freshwater Scottish lake which is situated at the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland and the Highlands, overlooked by the mountain Ben Lomond. It is the largest lake in Scotland, and given its gorgeous surroundings it should go without saying that it has inspired many lovely poems and songs over the years.
The best known song about the loch is The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond (or just Loch Lomond for short). The song holds great significance in Scottish culture and history, almost having become an unofficial national anthem, loved by Scots and non-Scots alike all over the world. The song represents the resilience and spirit of the Scottish people, often sung as a symbol of national pride, especially during gatherings and celebrations.
The song is traditional, its original composer(s) unknown. It is rooted in Scottish folklore and has been passed down through generations. The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond was first published in the book Vocal Melodies of Scotland in 1841, but its origins can be traced at least back to the eighteenth century.
The song’s lyrics depict a conversation between two captured Jacobite soldiers during the aftermath of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. The song is very emotional as it reflects the pain and longing of one of the soldiers who is facing imminent execution, while the other is set to be released. The song captures the sorrow, regret, and longing for freedom experienced by the soldier who will never see his beloved Loch Lomond again.
If we fast forward some 120-140 years from song’s initial publishing, we arrive at a time when the song has been adapted and covered by many, many artists over the years. Most of the versions that exist has come from traditional folk artists, but some of them have been much more unexpected – such as when Bill Haley bizarrely recorded a rock’n’roll version in 1957.
The song is primarily remembered for its more traditional arrangements and versions, having reached an almost revered status in Scotland by the time Runrig considered doing their own version for their second album The Highland Connection in 1979.
Runrig had initially formed in 1973 by brothers and songwriters Rory MacDonald (bass, vocals) and Calum MacDonald (drums, percussion). Over the course of the decade, they were joined by Donnie Munro (lead vocals) and Malcolm Jones (guitar), and it was this four-piece that set about recording the second Runrig album.
Runrig had been formed as a Celtic rock band, in some ways looking to become Scotland’s answer to Horslips – Ireland’s masters of Celtic-tinged rock – during the 1970s. Many of the band’s songs include references to Scottish history or culture. These include the band’s name itself, which is a reference to a pre–agricultural revolution farming practice, run rig.
Their first album, Runrig Plays Gaelic from 1978, had been fully recorded with Gaelic lyrics and an emphasis on acoustic-tinged (and frequently traditional) folk.
The Highland Connection would show a totally different side to the band. This is where the band would prove to the world that they could rock. And did they!
The difference between the two albums is staggering. People who discovered the band with Play Gaelic and bought the follow-up expecting more of the same, might have been unpleasantly surprised. The album is at times pure Celtic hard rock, with power chords and fierce guitar solos firing left and right. From my own vantage point, it is spectacularly glorious. Some would agree with that view, others would not.
For later albums the band would tone down the hard rock elements. They sought to strike a happy balance between their first two albums, having elements of both but mainly staying within a softer rock expression. While they undoubtedly became better songsmiths over the years and produced many great albums, of which 1987’s The Cutter And The Clan is a particular fan favourite, there are many who wish they had not abandoned their harder-edged music so totally after their second album. Post-80s albums may indeed be guilty of going too far in the other direction, even abandoning the happy middle ground that dominated most of the 1980s in favour of softer rock, but this era too would have its fans.
It would be wrong to give the impression that The Highland Connection is all about high voltage rock’n’roll from start to finish. Quite the contrary. The album is a diverse offering, including a few tender moments and even heartfelt ballads. One of those is their first ever version of Loch Lomond.
By yon bonnie banks and by yon bonnie braes
Where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond
Where me and my true love spent many happy days
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch LomondT’was there that we parted in yon shady glen
On the steep, steep sides of Ben Lomond
Where in purple hue the Highland hills we view
And the moon glints out in the gloaming
Rather than arranging the song as a pure ballad, the band very much frame it within the rock band format of the album, with reasonably high pacing. The drums propel the song onward and give it some tempo. At the same time there are strong melodic qualities to it, helped by melodic guitar and keyboard parts, as well as very lovely vocals courtesy of Munro and the entire band. There is an intense sweetness about this version, which manages to embrace melancholic beauty while also having a powerful expression.
The band would re-record the song several times later, usually leaning towards a significantly softer sound and purer ballad expression. There is no danger of the first version ever turning soft or soppy.
The performance is powerful in all the right ways, and more than just a bit emotional, as the band taps into the song’s ability to convey a profound sense of loss and yearning for home. The contrasting voices and harmonies in the band’s rendition add further depth to the already poignant lyrics.
Loch Lomond is about two Scottish soldiers who were imprisoned on the Scottish border. They were tried, and one of them would be sentenced for execution while the other one would be set free. In this song, the doomed soldier is comforting the soldier who will be set free.
The soldier who will be let go is naturally deeply distraught about his friend’s fate, but his friend tells them that “you’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road, and I’ll be in Scotland before ye”.
In Scottish legend, anyone who dies outside Scotland takes the “low road” back to their homeland, where they will finally be at peace.
As well as this, he recalls a life full of love and happiness. He harkens back to his time by the “bonnie banks of Loch Lomond” where he met his wife, and he comes to peace with the fact that his “broken heart ken nae second Spring again” – meaning that he will never return to the loch to be with his true love, although he is going to return in spirit. And he’ll be there already when his friend finally makes it back.
You’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road
And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye
Where me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond
While the song is set within a historical timeframe, it isn’t really about anything factual or historical. It is primarily a very emotional song that describes the feeling of missing a place which is home and loved ones found there. For the soldier who knows he will die, the image of Loch Lomond is one of enduring beauty.
When we know that death is coming, it is hoped that we will look back on the special moments in our life, including the places that we loved the most. For this soldier, that place and those moments existed at Loch Lomond, where the “wee birdies sing” and the “wildflowers spring”. In a way, the loch takes on the aspect of a heaven that is waiting for him on the distant horizon. A place that he will revisit in spirit, despite the fact that he and his true love “will never meet again”.
The song’s themes of separation, longing, and sacrifice has always resonated with a wide audience. Listeners may find personal meaning in the lyrics, relating them to their own experiences of love, loss, or longing for home.
The Highland Connection was released on 1 August 1979. They released no single from the album, but it was clear to everybody that their version of Loch Lomond was a very special track, being performed on TV appearances as well as gradually taking its place as the band’s signature track live, usually providing the end moment at their concerts.
Runrig would release several other versions of it over the years, including a full re-recording of the track in 1982. Strangely, the band had still never released a single yet at that point despite having recorded three full albums. The time had however finally come, and Loch Lomond was the obvious pick from their catalogue. Rather than using the 1979 version, they opted to record an updated version which reflected the way the band was now playing it live.
This version of Loch Lomond became Runrig’s first hit. Although it was already an important and central track to the band, the success of the single made it into a showcase number that the band became particularly known for.
Given the band’s connection to Loch Lomond through the song, it was inevitable that they would hold a concert event there. This happened on 22 June 1991, when 50,000 people attended an outdoor concert held in Balloch Country Park near Loch Lomond. This was the largest number of people to attend a Runrig concert. The version of Loch Lomond that was performed on that night was included on the band’s EP Hearthammer, which peaked at #25 in the UK.
In 2007 Runrig re-recorded Loch Lomond yet again, releasing it as a Hampden Remix to raise funds for the BBC’s annual Children In Need appeal. This was released on 12 November 2007 and includes the Tartan Army (Scotland’s Hampden Football Supporters), including Rod Stewart, on backing vocals. This was their highest singles chart performance, reaching #9 in the UK Singles Chart. It helped that it was released a week prior to Scotland’s biggest football game for many years: a vital qualifier against Italy for the 2008 European Championship.
On 26 September 2017 Runrig announced that after 45 years they would be “pulling the curtain down” on their music careers. The band announced one final tour named The Final Mile, taking part in Germany, Denmark and UK, ending with one final show in Stirling’s City Park called The Last Dance. Tickets for The Last Dance sold out in minutes and, after a few days of behind the scenes planning, Runrig announced another concert in the same location the night before. Tickets for this night sold out in less than six hours. It was a very emotional farewell, and the uncertain Scottish weather held out for the last track they played live – their final rendition of Loch Lomond.
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