Scotland is internationally known for its traditional music, often known as Scottish folk music, 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. Traditional Scottish music is closely associated with the bagpipes which is credited as having a prominent role in traditional music originating from the country. The bagpipes are considered to an "iconic Scottish instrument" with a history dating back to the 15th century. Other notable Scottish instruments include the tin whistle, the accordion and the fiddle.
The Boys of the Lough is a Scottish-Irish Celtic music band active since the 1970s.
The Scots Trad Music Awards or Na Trads were founded in 2003 by Simon Thoumire to celebrate Scotland's traditional music in all its forms and create a high profile opportunity to bring the music and music industry into the spotlight of media and public attention. Nominations are made by the public and in 2019 over 100,000 public votes were expected across 18 categories.
Tim Kliphuis is a Dutch violinist renowned for mixing gypsy jazz with classical and folk music, whose recent works have been dedicated to raising awareness about climate change.
Malinky is a Scottish folk band specialising in Scots song, formed in autumn 1998.
Blazin' Fiddles are a contemporary Scottish fiddle band from the Highlands and Islands. They formed in 1998 to showcase Scotland's distinct regional fiddle styles. The band have a number of awards, including; the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards Live Act of the Year, Album of the Year and Folk Band of the Year. Their records are released on their own indie Blazin' Records label. They have been described as "...the Led Zeppelin of the Folk World."
Scottish Romani are the Romani people of Scotland. This includes Romanichal and Lowland Roma.
Mary Ann Kennedy, is a Scottish musician, singer, choral director, composer, radio and television presenter, and music producer.
Bongshang are a Scottish band from Shetland, who fuse traditional Shetland and folk styles with rock, funk, electronica and contemporary production techniques. They have been likened to Celtic fusion artists such as Shooglenifty and Martyn Bennett.
Fiddlers' Bid are a Shetland based instrumental group known for playing contemporary arrangements of traditional Shetland fiddle tunes. The seven piece line-up consists of four fiddles, acoustic guitar, bass guitar and piano/Clàrsach.
Uncle John & Whitelock were a Scottish horror punk band from Glasgow. They were active from 2001 to 2006 and were noted for their live shows which incorporated elements of performance art.
Cannon were a five-piece, instrumental post-rock band, based in Glasgow, Scotland.
Kennedy's Kitchen is an American band consisting of seven musicians who compose Traditional Irish music. Since forming in 1998, it has been based in South Bend, Indiana, United States. Led by John Kennedy, Kennedy's Kitchen has performed at various venues across the Midwest portion of the United States and beyond.
Adopted as Holograph is the eponymous debut studio album by Adopted as Holograph. Recorded in 2011/2012 at Green Door Studios in Glasgow, the album was released in January 2013.
Skerryvore are a Scottish Celtic rock band formed by brothers Daniel and Martin Gillespie in Tiree, Argyll and Bute in 2004. Named after the Skerryvore lighthouse which lies 12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Tiree, the band have released six studio albums, a compilation album, and a live album. Currently based in Glasgow, Scotland, Skerryvore have toured Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and China. Their earlier work was inspired by the music of their native Scotland. Later influences include rock, pop, jazz, Cajun, and country.
Cathal McConnell is an Irish musician and singer best known as the mainstay of traditional band The Boys of the Lough, of which he is a founder member. His main instruments are the Irish flute and the tin whistle.
Catriona McKay is Scottish harpist and composer. She is a contemporary explorer on the Scottish harp (Clàrsach), having collaborated with folk and experimental musicians, as well as co-designing the Starfish McKay harp.
Billy Contreras is an American jazz violinist and bluegrass fiddler, multi-instrumentalist, session player and educator.
