FINDING inspiration in Scottish folklore and poetry has taken a Dunfermline musician back to his roots for his latest album.

Tom Adamson, 35, found solace in lockdown writing during lockdown and has created what he says is his most rock-influenced sound to date.

It's a third release from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama graduate, whose road so far has been plagued by hurdles.

After delivering his first album, Acceptable Taboo, in 2014, Tom was diagnosed with cancer and found himself writing in between treatments.

From there he went on to release Medium Eyes Blue Build in 2017, a compilation of songs which were heavily influenced by his health battle.

A delay was then put on his latest outing, Old View of the New World, which was finally completed at the end of last year.

Tom said: "I used Scottish poetry and different influences.

"The song 'The Black Dinner' is a story from Edinburgh in 1440 and is a retelling in music.

"It's heavier than ever, it's more of a rock album but it does still have that folk element."

Tom, who remains living in England after moving to London to study jazz in 200, plays in Ceilidh bands and recently joined the London Scottish pipe band.

A drummer at heart, Tom also takes on lead vocals for his tracks as well as rhythm guitar and keys.

"It feels different for me," he said of his new album.

Dunfermline Press: Tom Adamson at Dunfermline Abbey.Tom Adamson at Dunfermline Abbey. (Image: Grant Adamson)

"It's a mixture of jazz, rock, and folk, it's definitely evolved into a more classic rock, I grew up with Nazareth and Big Country, the legends of the local scene.

"I've looked at all sorts of Scottish bands and other Celtic bands, it's definitely rock but more on the Celtic side.

"A big part of my life is Ceilidh bands and there's always a twang in my writing, even going further back, some are influenced by Vikings as I do like my history."

Tom first found a love for music through his parents, his mum was a piano teacher and his dad a drummer himself, but he was also a member of Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra.

While many of his songs were inspired by the past, he has also found that they unintentionally represented what was happening in the present, too.

He said: "'See the Light' is one that's quite fun, it's a fun one to explore the old view of the new world, I keep going back to it when listening to the whole album now that I am talking about it in interviews and things.

"I try to say it is honest music, I suppose some of it is romanticising old folk tales."

Tom continued: "I embraced lockdown as an opportunity to retreat to Scotland and spent time writing, it was a nice wee break from the norm.

"One or two reflect what was going on at the time, unintentionally, it's not a political album but there are thoughts about what was going on.

"Looking back I think it is clear what some are about, I thought about leaving the EU, especially for musicians, it's not as easy to hop across and you're confined to the UK."

You can find out more about Tom Adamson's music and tour dates on his website, tom-adamson.com, or on his social media under tomadamsonband.

Old View of the New World is available to order online now through Bandcamp or to listen to on Spotify.