A Musical Journey Through The Anglo - Scottish Wars

Dive deeper into the rich tapestry of Scottish history with our multifaceted project. Each element offers a unique perspective on the inspiration behind this musical chronicle. This section provides an overview of the project's aims and the story it seeks to tell.

Research

For 16 years, Michael Holman (the project creator) was fortunate to call the west coast of Scotland home—spending 6 years in Fort William and 10 on the striking Ardnamurchan peninsula facilitating adventure pursuits. 

Michael Holman

The vision behind this musical chronicle and  how it all began started right here. Exploring this dramatic landscape as part of his work left a profound mark. As Michael reflects:

"You cannot help but find yourself being drawn into Scotland’s rich tapestry of history that weaves its way through the majestic scenery. Exploring Scotland’s history and the stories of legendary highland characters who helped define what it means to be Scottish today, is a truly humbling experience".

Marching Towards The Future 

Remembering  Our Past 

Michael Holman, writes songs inspired by historical battles. In 2026 after 23 years of celebrating Robert Burns with Scottish friends, he finally connected with the bard. what was impenetrable clicked, unlocking a new voice that defines his music today. 

Driven to capture these stories and help bring them back to life, Michael embarked on this project as a humbling attempt to do just that.

​This website and his creative work serve as his personal expression of Scotland's narrative. It works hand-in-hand with the double CD album "The Thistle & The Rose" (available here at thethistletherose.com). Created in conjunction with one another, the project and the album seek to retell Scotland’s history through evocative lyrics, a unique way  of charting Scoltands history through original songs.

"This is a truly inspiring project, bringing history to life with powerful and moving songs. A must-listen for anyone passionate about Scotland's past."

Join us on a captivating audio journey through Scotland's  pivotal moments. Explore the songs, events, and stories that shaped a nation.

Read the next page Songs & Battles  to get an overview of each of the battles