Music has a significant place in the Scottish culture. The music of Scotland has got both traditional as well as modern influences. The traditional music of the country has been able to maintain a special position of its own alongside the immensely popular pop music of the present times. Traditional Scottish music has been influenced by both the Irish and the English traditional music. This has also cast its own influence on the music of the two countries. This stays as a vital and living tradition of Scotland.

Bagpipes and other musical instruments of Scottish music

Scottish folk music is often associated exclusively with bagpipes. It may be pointed out that though bagpipes have for long been an important part of the Scottish music yet it is not unique or indigenous to Scotland. It had been imported into the country around the fifteenth century. This instrument finds usage in other parts of Europe and elsewhere also. The great Highland Bagpipe is the bagpipe that is the most distinctively Scottish form of bagpipe. Apart from the bagpipe the other musical instruments that are extensively used in Scottish music are the accordion, the fiddle, the guitar, the harp and the tin whistle.

Forms of the music of Scotland

The folk music of Scotland takes many forms. However, there are no rigid dividing lines between the forms and there are a number of artists who work across boundaries between the folk musical forms conforming to a broad musical tradition. There is a cultural difference between the Gaelic tradition and the Scots tradition of music of Scotland.

Scottish music is nowadays offered in many forms. The summer shows are there that are primarily aimed at tourists visiting the Scottish country. Ballads and laments are popular that are usually sung by a lone singer with backing. These may also be played on traditional instruments like the harp, fiddle, accordion or bagpipes. Traditional folk songs are there in Scotland that can be melodic, haunting or rousing in feel. Emerging folk music groups usually seek to perform these and these tend to region specific.

Revival of Scottish music in 1960s

After a somewhat decline of the folk music in the preceding period Scotland underwent a roots revival in the 1960s. Numerous young Scots had begun to think themselves as being separate from their country’s musical culture. The urge to bring revival became keener upon receiving inspiration from the American traditionalists.  

Ireland has got a rich history dating back to pre-Christian Celtic times. The music of Ireland that has developed through the course of history is also very rich and highly refined. The traditional Irish music has retained its unique appeal throughout the last century and is continuing to do so. Unlike many other traditional forms of music the world over, this could not been overshadowed the immensely popular pop music of the day. On the contrary, it is the Irish music that is casting its influence on contemporary music forms of the day.

The music of Ireland has maintained much of its traditional aspects despite emigration taking place over the years and a well developed connection with music imported from Britain and the U.S. having been set up. Instead of being influenced the Irish music has itself influenced various forms of music. The country and roots music in U.S.A. has been influenced by Irish music. Irish music has also been known to have influenced rock music albeit indirectly. The music of Ireland in a modernized form has from time to time been fused with rock and roll, punk rock and other musical styles to give rise to successful musical ventures and creation of globally popular melodies.

A slow moving change characterizes the traditional Irish music. These are regarded to be of ancient origin though the actual age of the tunes is nearly impossible to be estimated. This is because of the tremendous variation in the tunes across the parts of the island. Though most of the old songs, tunes and musical modes are rural in origin yet it cannot be said that Ireland has a store of rich folk music only. There is an equally rich Irish contemporary classical music that is popularly available. Most of the modern songs and music seem to come from the cities and towns.

There was the tradition of passing down orally or aurally the lyrics and music of Ireland. This was prevalent until quite recently. But now with the writing down and proper exposure of the music they are fast securing a special place in the hearts of music lovers. This was particularly brought about by the people of Ireland who had sailed away from the country to seek a better life. These people who ventured to even places like Australia and America and settled there took along with them the unique melodies of Irish music. Thus, Irish music has been circling around taking the world in its charm.