‘Scotland In The Snow’: Nina Nesbitt’s Masterclass In Warmth And Storytelling

Nina Nesbitt’s ‘Scotland In The Snow’ is the kind of song that settles you over gently, like the first fire-glow of a long-awaited winter. Built from mellow synths, soft acoustic guitars, and the subtle shimmer of the mandolin, it offers an intimate take on traditional Christmas tunes. This is one of Nesbitt’s simpler productions, but that simplicity is purposeful - it clears the air for her unique storytelling to take centre stage, allowing every line to flow with an unhurried warmth.

The opening lyric, “December again, how did we get here?”, feels like a moment of reflection, accompanied by fingerpicked guitars. Nesbitt leans into this reflective stillness, shaping the track into a love letter for Scotland - one penned with tenderness and nostalgia. She contrasts the distances both literal and emotional: “I've been to New York, I've seen the lights at the Rockefeller glow / But nothing compares, nothing comes close to Scotland in the snow”. It’s a comparison that may read sentimental on paper, yet her delivery gives it shape and sincerity. Lines like “the coldest of nights, the warmest of welcomes” reveal the song's central paradox, winter as both chill and comfort, absence and invitation. 

Nesbitt’s effortless vocals make it hard not to be captivated; you can’t help but be mesmerised. By the time she reaches the end of the track, the lyric “I hear them calling me home” feels less like a closing statement and more like an answered whisper. ‘Scotland In The Snow’ shows Nesbitt’s mastery of the understated, revealing a songwriter who understands the power of stillness. She trusts small moments, gentle truths and half-held memories to speak for her, crafting a resonance far deeper than any grandeur. It’s very clear, even from the first listen, that Nesbitt has created a song that feels timeless and classic, without being overly festive. It’s the perfect track for those cold nights filled with hot cocoa and looking back on the times passed.


Anna Louise Jones

@annalouisearchives

Image: ‘Scotland In The Snow’ Official Single Cover 


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