Ed Sheeran’s links to Aberfeldy revealed as Perthshire town inspires song on new album

A Perthshire town is the inspiration for a song on Ed Sheeran’s new album.

The hitmaker has revealed the tracklist for Subtract ahead of its release later this year.

The final song on the record is The Hills of Aberfeldy – an ode to the Perthshire town, which he has visited several times.

But fans may have to wait until the album is released on May 5 to hear the track.

The inclusion of the song has sparked hopes of a visitor boost to Highland Perthshire.

What are Ed Sheeran’s links to Aberfeldy?

Sheeran is good friends with fellow singer/songwriter Foy Vance, who lives in Aberfeldy.

He was spotted cheering Vance on during a performance in the Blackwatch Inn in December 2019.

Back in 2014 he stunned local band Victorian Trout Conspiracy by joining them for a gig in the Breadalbane Arms.

And in the summer of 2018 he took a trip to Taymouth Marina in Kenmore as he took a break following gigs in Glasgow.

He left a signed guitar following his stay.

Sheeran – who has sold more than 150 million records – is also said to be a big fan of Dewar’s Aberfeldy whisky and has the label tattooed on his arm.

No further details have been revealed about The Hills of Aberfeldy – but one fan’s blog claimed to have found a track of the same name written by Sheeran back in 2014.

The multi-award-winning musician says he has been working on Subtract for a decade, but he has also taken inspiration from a series of events last year – including his wife Cherry Seaborn being diagnosed with a tumour during pregnancy.

He says the events “changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I viewed music and art”.

Hopes Ed Sheeran song ‘will have longevity of Rabbie Burns’

Mike Williamson, a councillor for Highland Perthshire, hopes Sheeran’s song will bring more people to the region.

He told The Courier: “It is just over 230 years since Rabbie Burns wrote the Birks of Aberfeldy by the Moness waterfall.

“I will be delighted to hear Ed Sheeran’s song about the hills of Aberfeldy and hope that it has the longevity of the Rabbie Burns song.

“The spectacular scenery of Highland Perthshire is an inspirational to everyone who visits.

“I am quite sure, like Rabbie’s song, it will encourage more people to visit Aberfeldy and the surrounding area.”

Sheeran has also announced a show at Glasgow’s Ovo Hydro later this month.