The Highlands Tomorrow lyrics and guitar chords

Written by Ian McCalman the guitar chords are by Marc Farabach, use capo on 3rd fret © Ian McCalman. Back to the list of McCalmans song lyrics .

Chorus
I will (D)go to the (Em)highlands to(D)morrow
I'll (Em)wander this (D)land and I'll (F#m)take the old (Bm)road to the (A7)sea 
I will (G)go to the (A7)highlands to(D)morrow - (A7)Just (D)me -G-D-G
 
(Em)I'm heading north, the (D)wind at my back
Stra(G)thyre, Loch (D)Earn and (A7)on to Kil(A)lin
(Bm)Rannoch then (G)all the way (D)down to Glen(Bm)coe
(D)Three sisters (Bm)watching me, (D)watching me (A)go -A-A7
 
Chorus
 
I'll (Em)travel by night by the (D)light of the moon
I'll (G)follow the (D)rivers, the (A7)glens and the (A)shore
(Bm)Over the (G)hills, by (D)Moidart's Loch (Bm)Shiel
I'll (D)rest by Glen(Bm)finnan then (D)northward once (A)more -A-A7
 
Chorus
 
There's a (Em)new road ahead (D)don't look back
(G)Run for your (D)life, don't (A7)take any (A)more 
(Bm)Nothing can (G)stop me, I've (D)made up my (Bm)mind
But I've (D)tried it be(Bm)fore. I've (D)tried it be(A)fore -A-A7
 
Chorus
 
Was there (Em)ever a land with such (D)beauty to share
Ho(G)rizon of (D)promises (A7)distant and (A)wild
The (Bm)bothy at (G)Culags then (D)through to the (Bm)sea
And the (D)Torredon Mountains for (A)me -A-A7
 
Chorus twice
G-Em-D

​🎸 2. Strumming Pattern (4/4 “marching” feel)

↓ ↓↑ ↑↓↑
Count: 1 2& &4&

How to play:

Beat 1: firm downstroke (hit bass + mids)

Beat 2&: light down-up (flowing)

Beat 3: short pause or muted tap

Beat 4&: smooth down-up

This pattern gives a steady traveling rhythm — imagine the rhythm of walking boots on a mountain trail.

For a gentler intro:
Try just one downstroke per beat (↓ ↓ ↓ ↓) to make the first verse more contemplative, then move to full strumming in the chorus.

🎸 3. Fingerpicking Pattern (for all verses and chorus)

Use a folk arpeggio pattern that flows like a steady stream or wind through the glen:

T – I – M – A – M – I
(Thumb = bass, Index = G, Middle = B, Ring = high E)

Each measure uses 6 notes (two beats of alternating motion).

🎶 Example Fingerpicking Tabs
D Major
e|--------2-------2---|
B|------3---3---3---3-|
G|----2-------2-------|
D|--0-----------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|

Em
e|--------0-------0---|
B|------0---0---0---0-|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--2-----------------|
A|--2-----------------|
E|--0-----------------|

F#m
e|--------2-------2---|
B|------2---2---2---2-|
G|----2-------2-------|
D|--4-----------------|
A|--4-----------------|
E|--2-----------------|

Bm
e|--------2-------2---|
B|------3---3---3---3-|
G|----4-------4-------|
D|--4-----------------|
A|--2-----------------|
E|--------------------|

G
e|--------3-------3---|
B|------0---0---0---0-|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--0-----------------|
A|--2-----------------|
E|--3-----------------|

A7
e|--------0-------0---|
B|------2---2---2---2-|
G|----0-------0-------|
D|--2-----------------|
A|--------------------|
E|--------------------|

🎵 Suggested Progression Example (Fingerpicked)

“I will go to the Highlands tomorrow”

   D                 Em               D
e|--------2-------2-|--------0-------0-|--------2-------2-|
B|------3---3---3---|------0---0---0---|------3---3---3---|
G|----2-------2-----|----0-------0-----|----2-------2-----|
D|--0---------------|--2---------------|--0---------------|
A|------------------|--2---------------|------------------|
E|------------------|--0---------------|------------------|


Continue the pattern through all chords — it creates a rolling, melodic accompaniment that perfectly matches the wandering mood of the lyrics.

💡 Performance Tips

🎵 Feel:
Play with a gentle swing — not too strict. The song should sound like a traveler humming to themselves as they climb through misty hills.

🎵 Dynamics:

Keep verses soft and introspective.

Strum more strongly on the chorus (“I will go to the Highlands tomorrow”) — it’s the emotional peak.

End with a soft single D chord arpeggio that fades away, like the sound of wind.

🎵 Optional embellishments:

On D → G → A7 transitions, slide your bass note (A string 5→2) for a smooth connection.

Add hammer-ons (e.g., 0→2 on G string in D major) for Scottish ornamentation.

🎸 Ending Idea (final “Just me”)
e|--2-----0-----2-------|
B|----3-----3-----3-----|
G|------2-----2-----2---|
D|--0-------------------|
A|----------------------|
E|----------------------|


Let it ring out slowly — as if the singer disappears over the ridge.