Scotlands Culture\|Scotlands Songs

Scotland's songs and tunes

Find out more about Scotland's songs and tunes

In this section, explore the colourful background and diversity of Scotland's songs and tunes, the instruments used, and how a lively and vibrant musical tradition grew out of family life, work and play, and through Scotland's history and culture.

Collection of Scottish folk music instruments

Scotland's instruments

Discover more about the history and sound of the bagpipes, the fiddle and the clàrsach (or harp).

Image of a male folk singer

Songs by theme

These songs, in Gaelic and Scots, have been categorised by content and purpose or by form.

Close up of a musical manuscript

Tunes

Learn more about the many different styles used in Scottish traditional music.

Image of a parade at American Highland Games, with piper in foreground

Influences

Read about some of the influences on Scotland's music in the past and today.