Music of Scotland

Part of a series on the
Culture of Scotland
History Timeline Prehistoric Roman times Middle Ages Early Middle Ages Kingdom High Middle Ages Davidian Revolution Wars of Independence Late Middle Ages Renaissance Early modern Reformation Colonisation of the Americas Glorious Revolution Treaty of Union 1707 Acts of Union Jacobitism Enlightenment Lowland Clearances Highland Clearances Industrial Revolution Romanticism Modern
People
Languages Scottish Gaelic Broad Scots Scottish English Pictish Norn
Traditions Clothing Hackle Burning of the Clavie Burns supper Common Riding Crofting Saining Scots law Scottish clan Skalk Up Helly Aa Units of measurement
Mythology and folklore
Cuisine
Festivals St. Andrew's Day Hogmanay Burns supper Tartan Day Lanimer Day Imbolc Bealltainn/May Day Lùnastal Samhainn
Religion
Art
Literature
Music and performing arts Folk music Scottish highland dance Scottish country dance Scottish sword dances Mod Keening Waulking song Opera Puirt à beul Border Ballad
Media Radio Television Cinema
Sport Golf Curling Football Haggis hurling Hailes Highland games Horse racing Rugby sevens Rugby union Shinty Shot put
Monuments World Heritage Sites
Symbols Flag Coat of arms National anthem Lion Rampant Thistle Tartan Celtic cross Celtic knot Scottish inventions and discoveries
Scotland portal
v t e

Scotland is internationally known for its traditional music, often known as Scottish folk music,^[1] which remained vibrant throughout the 20th century and into the 21st when many traditional forms worldwide lost popularity to pop music. Traditional Scottish music comprises a variety of different styles such as ballads, reels, jigs and airs.^[2] Traditional Scottish music is closely associated with the bagpipes which is credited as having a prominent role in traditional music originating from the country.^[3] The bagpipes are considered to an "iconic Scottish instrument" with a history dating back to the 15th century.^[4] Other notable Scottish instruments include the tin whistle, the accordion and the fiddle.^[5]

The origins of Scottish music are said to have originated over 2,300 years ago following the discovery of Western Europe's first known stringed instrument which was a "lyre-like artifact" which was discovered on the Scottish island Skye. The earliest known traces of published Scottish music dates from 1662. John Forbes of Aberdeen published the earliest printed collection of music in Scotland which ultimately became recognised as the first known published collection featuring traditional Scottish songs.^[6] Modern contemporary Scottish musicians within popular genres of rock, pop and dance include Calvin Harris, Paolo Nutini, Amy Macdonald, Lewis Capaldi, Shirley Manson, Lulu, Sheena Easton, Susan Boyle, KT Tunstall, Emeli Sande and Nina Nesbitt. Successful bands originating from Scotland include Travis, Texas, Simple Minds, the Bay City Rollers, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Fratellis, Glasvegas and the Cocteau Twins.

Music in Scotland is celebrated and recognised in a variety of different methods such as music festivals and award ceremonies. The countries major music festival, TRNSMT replaced the former T in the Park, and is held annually in July in Glasgow Green. Other music festivals include Celtic Connections, Eden Festival, Glasgow Summer Sessions, the Skye Live Festival and the internationally renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Scottish music is celebrated through awards such as the Scottish Album of the Year Award, the Scots Trad Music Awards, the Scottish Alternative Music Awards and the Scottish Music Awards.