Exclusive: Ward Thomas perform cover of Caledonia

Ward Thomas have covered Dougie MacLean's Caledonia ahead of their debut EP, released next month. Picture: Contributed

Ward Thomas, 19-year-old twins Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas who cite Nashville as a major influence despite growing up in rural England, have released a cover version of Caledonia ahead of the launch of their debut release.

Originally intended for a television show about September’s independence referendum, the song will be included in the pair’s forthcoming EP, Footnotes.

Commenting on how they came to record Caledonia, Ward Thomas said: “We were originally recorded Caledonia for a friend who was making a TV documentary about Scotland and the vote on independence later this year. We loved the song and decided to include our version on our Footnotes EP and we are also now playing the song in our live set.

“The reason we relate so closely to this track is because it is about missing home. Something we do a lot when we’ve been away recording and performing in Nashville. When Dougie MacLean wrote this song, he was on a beach in France; he had been away from home for a long time.

“We feel that we only really understand what ‘home’ means when we have spent time away from it. Whether it be Scotland, England or any country for that matter, ‘home’ is what we all long for when we’re far away and have time to reflect. That’s what Caledonia means to us.”

You can listen to Caledonia exclusively here: http://bit.ly/1k0ZDxG

• Ward Thomas’ Footnotes EP is released on April 7.