List of Scottish musicians

For classical writers, see List of Scots § Composers.

This list of notable Scottish musicians is part of the List of Scots series.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

Contents

• 0–9
• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

0–9

• 18 Wheeler, band
• 1990s, indie rock band

A

• John Abell, countertenor, composer and lutenist
• Aberfeldy, pop band
• AC Acoustics
• Maggie Adamson
• Stuart Adamson, Tattoo, The Skids, Big Country, and The Raphaels
• Admiral Fallow, indie folk band
• Adopted as Holograph, band
• Adventures in Stereo, band
• Aereogramme, rock band
• Aerial, power-pop band
• Pete Agnew, bassist and backing vocalist for Nazareth
• Akala rapper, Scottish mother
• Alestorm, pirate metal band
• Albannach, band
• John Alford
• The Aliens, offshoot of the Beta Band
• Charlie Allan, bandleader of Saor Patrol
• James Allan, lead singer with Glasvegas
• JD Allan, former member of The Blimp
• Dot Allison, singer and songwriter, electronic music; former lead singer with band One Dove in the early 1990s
• The Almighty
• Altered Images
• Alyth, singer
• Mohsen Amini, concertinist. Co-founder and member of the folk trio Talisk and the folk band Ímar
• The Amorettes, hard rock band
• Amplifico, indie band
• Amy Belle
• Ian Anderson, singer, flautist, songwriter, and guitarist Jethro Tull
• Miller Anderson, guitarist who played at Woodstock as a member of The Keef Hartley Band
• Moira Anderson, singer
• Tom Anderson (1910–1991), fiddler and composer
• Chris Andreucci, country music singer/songwriter 
• Aneka (aka Mary Sandeman), singer, Japanese Boy
• Billie Anthony (1932–1991), singer
• APB, band
• The Apples, indie-dance band
• Arab Strap, Indie band
• Craig Armstrong, composer
• Anna Arnott (1887–1978)
• Associates, duo
• Astrid, band
• Attic Lights, indie rock band
• Average White Band, funk rock brass band
• Jean Aylwin (1885–1964)
• Aztec Camera, band

B

• Howie B, musician, producer and DJ
• Back of the Moon
• Lady Grizel Baillie (1665–1746), songwriter
• Aly Bain, fiddler
• Jimmy Bain, bassist associated with Thin Lizzy, Rainbow and Dio
• Ian Bairnson, guitarist of Pilot and The Alan Parsons Project
• Balaam and the Angel, rock band
• Ballboy, indie band
• A Band Called Quinn
• Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, official regimental military band
• Jimmy Barnes
• Barry Can't Swim musician and Producer
• The Bathers, band
• Battlefield Band
• Malcolm Baxter, singer/songwriter, fronted punk band Last Words
• Bay City Rollers, 1970s pop-rock sensations
• Morag Beaton (1926–2010), dramatic soprano
• The Beatstalkers
• Callum Beattie, singer songwriter
• Jim Beattie, founding member of Primal Scream, Spirea X and Adventures in Stereo
• Callum Beaumont, bagpipe player
• Beggars Opera, rock
• Maggie Bell, rock and blues-rock singer
• Paddie Bell (1931–2005), Scottish folk singer and musician
• Robert Bell, musician The Blue Nile
• Belle & Sebastian, band
• Nicola Benedetti, violinist
• Martyn Bennett (1971–2005), Great Highland Bagpipes, Scottish smallpipes, violin, piano
• Berlin Blondes
• Guy Berryman, bass player in the band Coldplay
• Zoë Bestel, singer-songwriter
• The Beta Band, folktronica
• Shannon Bex, member of the group Danity Kane
• Biff Bang Pow!, Alan McGee's band
• Biffy Clyro, band
• Big Country, band
• The Big Dish, band
• Bilbo, band
• Billy Liar, acoustic punk/folk band
• The Birthday Suit, indie rock band
• Bis, band
• Cora Bissett
• Norman Blake, Teenage Fanclub
• Blazin' Fiddles, folk
• Bleed from Within, deathcore band
• The Blimp, rock band
• The Blow Monkeys
• Blue
• The Blue Nile, band
• The Bluebells, band
• BMX Bandits, twee/jangle-popfolktronica
• Boards of Canada, downtempo/electronica group
• Bodega, band
• Sega Bodega, Music Producer and Singer
• Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band
• Eric Bogle, folk singer/songwriter
• Bombay Talkie, Bhangra band
• Bongshang, folktronica
• Boots for Dancing, post-punk band
• Christopher Bowes, vocalist/keytarist for Alestorm
• Box Codax, band
• Billy Boyd, singer with Beecake
• Susan Boyle, singer
• Stuart Braithwaite, guitarist of Mogwai
• Breabach, folk music band
• Billy Bremner, guitarist
• Bishop Briggs, singer
• Broken Records, indie folk band
• Steve Bronski, singer-songwriter, member of Bronski Beat
• Sandy Brown (1929–75), jazz clarinettist
• Scott Brown, DJ and music producer
• Ronnie Browne, "The Voice", founding member of The Corries
• Jack Bruce (1943–2014), bassist with Cream
• Wattie Buchan, lead vocalist for The Exploited
• Isobel Buchanan, operatic soprano
• Margo Buchanan, singer-songwriter, composer, musician, and recording artist
• Paul Buchanan, singer and musician, The Blue Nile
• Charlie Burchill, guitarist of Simple Minds
• John Davie Burgess (1934–2005), bagpiper
• Yvie Burnett, mezzo-soprano singer and vocal coach
• Barry Burns
• Cha Burns (1957–2007), guitarist for The Silencers
• Butcher Boy, indie pop band
• Jenn Butterworth, acoustic folk guitarist and singer
• David Byrne (born 1952)

C

• Cado Belle
• Café Jacques, progressive rock band
• Calamateur, singer, songwriter, musician
• Camera Obscura, band
• Isla Cameron (c.1930–1980)
• Darius Campbell Danesh (1980–2022), singer-songwriter
• Grant Campbell, singer/songwriter
• Isobel Campbell, singer formerly of Belle & Sebastian
• Jon Campbell, singer, producer, keyboard player, songwriter, and frontman of the band The Time Frequency
• Junior Campbell, founding member, lead guitarist, piano player, and singer with the band Marmalade
• Kenna Campbell, Scottish singer, teacher, tradition bearer and advocate for Gaelic language, culture and song.
• Mairi Campbell, singer, composer, violinist, fiddler
• Tracyanne Campbell, singer of band Camera Obscura
• Cannon, instrumental post-rock band
• Lewis Capaldi, singer-songwriter
• Capercaillie, folk band
• Captain Face, rock band
• Sally Carr, lead singer of Middle of the Road
• Cartoone, band
• Nicola Cassells, soprano
• The Cateran, rock band
• The Cathode Ray, alternative band
• Ceilidh Minogue, ceilidh band
• Celtic Thunder, band
• Brìghde Chaimbeul, bagpipe player
• The Chimes, dance music trio
• Colin Chisholm, lead singer of Bilbo
• Duncan Chisholm, fiddle player, founder member of Wolfstone
• George Chisholm, jazz trombonist
• Chvrches, alternative electronic band
• Cinder, singer, musician and record producer
• Cindytalk band formed by members of The Freeze now a solo project for Gordon Sharp
• The Cinematics, alternative rock band
• Gerry Cinnamon, singer-songwriter
• Clann An Drumma, tribal band
• Gary Clark, musician, songwriter and record producer
• Bryan Clarke, Napalm Stars, punk rock band
• Zal Cleminson, guitarist
• Philip Clemo, composer, musician, record producer, sound artist
• Close Lobsters, band
• Clouds, 1966–71, forerunners of progressive rock
• The Clouds, 1980s indie band
• The Clutha, traditional Scottish band
• Cocteau Twins, band
• Codeine Velvet Club, alternative rock band
• Coast, band
• Richard Colburn, drummer
• Edwyn Collins, musician, producer and record label owner
• David Conn, keyboard player with Nothing Yet
• Chris Connelly, musician and singer/songwriter
• Billy Connolly, comedian and singer, scored a UK No. 1
• Brian Connolly, vocalist with Sweet
• Conquering Animal Sound
• Iain Cook, musician, composer, record producer. A member of the band Chvrches. He played guitar for Aereogramme, and was a member of The Unwinding Hours.
• Mick Cooke, musician and composer
• Gawain Erland Cooper, folk guitarist and singer with Erland and the Carnival
• Jimmy Cooper, hammered dulcimer player
• The Cooperation Band, brass band
• Alex Cornish, singer/songwriter
• Correcto, rock supergroup
• The Corries, band
• Cosmic Rough Riders, band
• Lorne Cousin, bagpipe player
• James Crabb, classical accordionist
• Gordon Cree, singer, pianist, organist, arranger, orchestrator, conductor and composer
• Stuart Crichton, Songwriter/Producer
• Croft No. 5, world music–Celtic fusion band
• Charlotte Gordon Cumming, singer/songwriter and music producer
• The Cundeez, punk rock band
• Johnny Cunningham (1957–2003), fiddle player
• Phil Cunningham, accordionist
• Justin Currie (born 1964), singer, songwriter and bassist with Del Amitri
• Ian Cussick, singer/songwriter
• Ivor Cutler (1923–2006), singer, songwriter and humorist

D

• Dàimh, folk band
• Glen Daly (c.1930–1987)
• Dananananaykroyd, band
• Darius Danesh (born 1980), singer, songwriter, and guitarist
• Danny Wilson, band
• Stuart David
• Les Davidson, guitarist
• Dawn of the Replicants, indie rock quintet
• Clarita de Quiroz (born 1984), Grade 8 pianist, Grade 8 percussionist, singer, songwriter and model
• De Rosa, rock band
• Deacon Blue, band
• Dead or American, alternative rock band
• Degrassi, band
• Del Amitri, band
• The Delgados, band
• Jackie Dennis
• Denny and Dunipace Pipe Band, Grade 3B pipe band
• Karl Denver (1931–98), singer
• Desalvo, metalcore band
• Jimmy Deuchar (1930–93), jazz trumpeter
• Sydney Devine (1940–2021)
• Jim Dewar (1942–2002), vocalist and bassist with Robin Trower Band and Stone The Crows
• Jim Diamond
• Murray Dickie (1924–1995), tenor opera singer
• Barbara Dickson, singer
• John Disco, record producer, sound engineer and songwriter, member of the band Bis
• Django Django
• Dogs Die in Hot Cars, band
• Donaldson, Moir and Paterson, rock group
• Lonnie Donegan, skiffle musician
• Donovan (born 1946)
• Daniel Dow, traditional Scottish musician and composer
• Patrick Doyle
• The Dreaming, Celtic rock
• Kris Drever
• Ivan Drever, folk singer, songwriter and guitarist
• Drinking Electricity, post-punk/synthpop trio
• Drive-By Argument, band
• Bill Drummond (born 1953), singer/songwriter, Big in Japan guitarist, Zoo Records founder, The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu/The Timelords/The KLF/2K frontman, K Foundation artist, writer
• Drums of Death, electronic musician
• Graeme Duffin, lead guitarist for Wet Wet Wet
• Irvin Duguid, session musician/composer
• Charles Davidson Dunbar, DCM (1870–1939), first pipe major in Britain and the Empire to be commissioned as a pipe officer
• Amy Duncan, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
• C Duncan, composer and musician
• Gordon Duncan (1964–2005), bagpiper and composer
• Malcolm "Molly" Duncan (1945–2019), tenor saxophonist formerly with Mogul Thrash, founding member of Average White Band
• Andy Dunlop, lead guitarist of Travis
• Joy Dunlop, Gaelic singer
• Sophia Dussek (1775–1831), singer, pianist, harpist, and composer
• Alex Duthart (1925–1986), drummer
• The Dykeenies, indie rock band
• Dysart and Dundonald Pipe Band

E

• Eagleowl, post-folk band
• The Eastern Swell, psychedelic folk band
• Carla J. Easton
• Sheena Easton (born 1959)
• Craig Eddie, singer
• Joe Egan, singer with Stealers Wheel
• Egebamyasi, house artist from Inverness
• The Electrics, Celtic rock band
• Richard Elliot, saxophonist
• El Mafrex, Urban Contemporary Gospel
• El Presidente, band
• Robert Emery (1794–1871), songwriter
• Emma's Imagination, singer
• Natasha England, pop singer
• Marcus Eoin (born 1970), electronic musician, Boards of Canada
• Errors, post-electro band
• Eugenius, founded by Eugene Kelly, formerly known as Captain America
• Nathan Evans
• Ex-Simple Minds, New Wave/rock band
• The Exploited, punk band

F

• Fairground Attraction
• Al Fairweather
• Kyle Falconer, lead singer of The View
• Fatherson
• Fiction Factory, new wave band
• Fiddlers' Bid, instrumental group
• Findo Gask, band
• The Fire Engines
• Fish (born 1958), singer
• Archie Fisher, folk singer and songwriter
• Ray Fisher (1940–2011), folk singer
• Scott Fitzgerald
• Dave Flett, guitarist Manfred Mann's Earth Band
• Kat Flint, singer/songwriter
• The Flowers, post-punk band
• Flying Squad, Scottish band featuring Fin Muir, Monty McMonagle, George Crossan, Alex Calder and Jimmy Kelly. Signed to CBS/Epic records.
• Derek Forbes, bassist, vocalist, and sometime guitarist
• Dean Ford (1945–2018), singer and songwriter Marmalade
• Jessie Fordyce (1905–2003), "harmony" part trio harmony singer with the Three X Sisters. She was born (1905) in Scotland. Raised primarily in Brooklyn, NY USA.
• Forever More, band
• FOUND, experimental pop band and arts collective
• Julie Fowlis, singer and multi-instrumentalist
• Foxface, band
• Roddy Frame, songwriter with Aztec Camera
• Fran and Anna
• Franz Ferdinand, band
• Alasdair Fraser, fiddler
• Elizabeth Fraser, vocalist with Cocteau Twins
• The Fratellis, band
• The Freeze, post-punk band from Linlithgow 1976–1981
• Alan Frew, vocalist with Glass Tiger
• Friends Again
• Frightened Rabbit
• The Fuse
• Future Pilot A.K.A.
• Futuristic Retro Champions
• Iona Fyfe, folk singer
• Will Fyffe (1885–1947)

G

• Paul Galbraith, classical guitarist
• Benny Gallagher, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, half of Gallagher and Lyle
• Gallagher and Lyle
• Ganger, Glasgow alt rock band
• Mary Garden (1874–1967), operatic soprano
• Alex Gardner, pop singer
• Willie Gardner
• Ricky Gardiner, guitarist and composer for David Bowie and Iggy Pop
• Dick Gaughan, traditional and political folk singer and songwriter
• gay against you, electronic music duo
• Geneva, Aberdeen alt rock band
• GED AND THE WAKE, (band), (Ged Johnston) Born in Edinburgh
• John Giblin
• Sir Alexander Drummond Gibson (1926–1995), conductor and opera intendant
• Dave Gibson, singer/songwriter
• Robert Gilfillan (1798–1850), poet and songwriter
• Bobby Gillespie, singer with Primal Scream
• Anne Lorne Gillies
• JJ Gilmour, singer songwriter, formerly of The Silencers
• Glasgow Police Pipe Band, grade one pipe band
• Glasvegas
• Chris Glen, bassist, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Michael Schenker Group
• Hamish Glencross, guitarist for My Dying Bride
• Evelyn Glennie (born 1965), percussionist
• The Golden Dawn
• Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, band; formed a side-project named Angelfish with member Shirley Manson on vocals
• Nathaniel Gow (1763–1831), son of Niel Gow, performer, composer and arranger of tunes, songs and other pieces
• Niel Gow (1727–1807), the Perthshire Fiddler
• Eve Graham, singer with The New Seekers
• Isla Grant
• James Grant, singer/songwriter
• Jack Green
• Katie Gregson-MacLeod
• Stan Greig (1930–2012), jazz pianist, drummer, and bandleader
• Ged Grimes, bass player for Simple Minds
• Clare Grogan, singer with Altered Images
• The Groovy Little Numbers, band
• Gun, band
• Robin Guthrie, founder of Cocteau Twins
• The Gyres, band

H

• H₂O, band
• Paul Haig, singer and co founder of Josef K
• Rachel Hair, folk harpist
• Robin Hall, folk singer
• Ainsley Hamill, singer-songwriter
• Jo Hamilton, vocalist, composer and multi-instrumentalist
• Susan Hamilton, soprano
• Ian Hampton, bassist for Sparks
• The Happy Family, post punk band
• Harem Scarem, folk band
• Calvin Harris, electronic musician
• Roddy Hart, singer/songwriter in The Lonesome Fire
• Alex Harvey (1935–1982), blues and rock musician in The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
• Leslie Harvey (1944–1972), guitarist
• Jimmy Hastings
• Pye Hastings, guitarist and vocalist for Caravan 
• Hamish Hawk
• Colin Hay (born 1953), singer with Men at Work
• The Hazey Janes
• The Headboys, power pop band
• Fran Healy, singer in band Travis
• Hector Bizerk, experimental hip-hop group
• The Hedrons
• Heisk, folk band ^[1]
• Helicopter Girl
• Ainslie Henderson, singer/songwriter
• Ewen Henderson, multi-instrumentalist folk musician
• Marie Therese Henderson, music director and composer
• Mike Heron, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
• Corrina Hewat, harpist and composer
• Lou Hickey
• Hiding Place, rock band
• Lizzie Higgins (1929–1993), ballad singer
• Hip Parade, band
• Hipsway, band
• Greg Holden, singer- songwriter
• Holocaust, heavy metal band
• Honeyblood, band
• Horse, singer-songwriter
• How to Swim, pop/rock band
• Andrew Howie, singer/songwriter, producer and music tutor
• RM Hubbert, guitarist and singer
• Hudson Mohawke, producer, DJ and composer
• Hue & Cry, band
• Alistair Hulett (1951–2010), acoustic guitar and vocals, Roaring Jack
• The Humblebums
• John Law Hume (1890–1912), violinist on the RMS Titanic
• Willie Hunter (1933–1994), folk fiddler
• The Hurricanes, rhythm & blues group
• Scott Hutchison (1981–2018), singer, songwriter, guitarist. Founding member of Frightened Rabbit
• Kenny Hyslop, drummer

I

• Idlewild
• Ili, singer-songwriter
• Illyus & Barrientos, electronic music duo 
• Ímar, folk band
• Hamish Imlach, folk singer
• The Incredible String Band
• Kenny Inglis, composer and producer
• Andrew Innes, guitarist in Primal Scream
• Gary Innes, Traditional and Folk
• Insight, engineer, producer, Vocalist
• Inveraray & District Pipe Band, Grade 1 pipe band
• Iron Claw, band
• The Iron Horse, Celtic music band
• Iron Virgin, glam rock band
• Craig Irving

J

• Leon Jackson, winner of the fourth series of the X-Factor
• Milton Jackson, DJ, record producer
• Stevie Jackson
• Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers, band
• Jackie James, singer/songwriter and keyboard player
• Bert Jansch
• The Jasmine Minks, band from Aberdeen, early Creation Records signing
• Jazzateers, pop/post-punk group
• Ben Jelen (born 1979), singer/songwriter, musician
• Jesse Garon and the Desperadoes, band
• The Jesus and Mary Chain, band
• Jo Mango, alternative folk and acoustic band
• Richard Jobson, lead singer of The Skids, The Armoury Show
• Joesef, singer
• Davey Johnstone, rock guitarist and vocalist (born in Edinburgh), best known for his work with Elton John, Alice Cooper, and Meat Loaf
• Duncan Johnstone (1925–1999), bagpiper and composer
• Ged Johnston (GED AND THE WAKE) Lead Singer, Rock Guitarist. And Known For Many Top Collaborations
• Jonny, two-person band
• Josef K, band
• Kathryn Joseph, singer/songwriter
• Ruarri Joseph, singer/songwriter
• Jackie Joyce, also known as Helicopter Girl
• JSD Band, Celtic and folk rock band
• The Just Joans, indie pop band

K

• Ramsey Kanaan, singer
• Pat Kane, lead singer of Hue and Cry
• Richard Kass, session drummer
• Kassidy, band
• The Kazoo Funk Orchestra, band
• Johnny Keating
• David Keenan
• Brian Kellock, jazz pianist
• Eugene Kelly, founding member of The Vaselines and Eugenius
• Calum Kennedy (1928–2006), singer
• David Kennedy (1825–1886), church musician and concert giver
• Mary Ann Kennedy, singer
• Marjory Kennedy-Fraser (1857–1930), singer, composer and arranger
• Ally Kerr, singer/songwriter
• Jim Kerr (born 1959), singer and founding member of Simple Minds
• Keser, band
• Mary Kiani, singer
• Kid Canaveral, band
• Carol Kidd, jazz singer
• Jim Kilpatrick, pipe band drummer
• Sandy Kilpatrick, singer/songwriter
• Alan King, lead singer of the rock band Walk on Fire
• King Creosote, singer/songwriter
• Niki King, jazz and soul-funk singer/songwriter
• Alison Kinnaird, harpist
• Kinnaris Quintet
• Kloe, singer-songwriter
• David Knopfler, co-founder of the rock band Dire Straits
• Mark Knopfler (born 1949), guitarist, Dire Straits frontman
• Kode9, electronic musician
• Konx-Om-Pax, electronic musician

L

• Ally Laing, songwriter
• Griogair Labhruidh, Scottish Gaelic poet, musician, and hip-hop producer/MC
• The LaFontaines, band
• La Paz
• Hannah Laing, disc jockey and record producer from Dundee
• Chris Lake, house musician, mau5trap
• Frederic Lamond (1868–1948), classical pianist, second-to-last surviving pupil of Franz Liszt
• Land, Christian music band
• The Last Battle, indie alt-pop band
• Lau, folk band featuring Kris Drever
• Harry Lauder (1870–1950), music hall singer
• The Law
• William Lawrie (1881–1916), bagpiper and composer
• Mary Lee (1921–2022), singer
• Storm Lee
• Durward Lely (1855–1944), opera singer
• Lemonescent, girl group
• Annie Lennox, singer, formerly in the Eurythmics
• Jackie Leven, folk musician
• Stuart Liddell, bagpiper
• Life Without Buildings
• Alex Ligertwood, formerly vocalist with Santana
• Rona Lightfoot (born 1936), piper and singer
• Linus Loves, dance music remixer/producer
• Little Eye
• Little Fire, singer/songwriter
• Gav Livz
• Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
• Jaz Lochrie, bass guitarist with Bad Company
• Cecilia Loftus (1876–1943)
• Logan, rock band
• Craig Logan, former bassist of the pop band Bros
• Ella Logan (1913–1969), singer
• Loki, rapper
• Lone Pigeon
• Long Fin Killie (1993–1998)
• Alan Longmuir (1948–2018), bass guitarist, a founding member of the Bay City Rollers
• Looper
• Lord Cut-Glass
• Roddy Lorimer, musician who plays trumpet and flugelhorn
• Love and Money
• Gerard Love, Teenage Fanclub
• Lulu (born 1948)
• Lungleg, indie band
• The Luvvers, rock group
• Billy Lyall (1953–1989)
• Graham Lyle, singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer, half of Gallagher and Lyle
• Lyn-Z, bass guitarist of Mindless Self Indulgence
• Yvonne Lyon

M

• Hector MacAndrew (1903–1980), fiddler
• Ishbel MacAskill (1941–2011), Scottish Gaelic singer and teacher
• Jimmy MacBeath (1894–1972), singer
• Lauren MacColl, fiddler
• Donald Ban MacCrimmon (d. 1746), bagpiper
• Red Donald MacCrimmon (d. 1825), bagpiper
• Black John MacCrimmon (d. 1822), bagpiper
• Hamish MacCunn (1868–1916), composer, conductor and teacher
• Amy MacDonald, singer
• The MacDonald Brothers
• Calum MacDonald, percussionist of the band Runrig
• Catriona MacDonald, fiddler and teacher
• Finlay MacDonald (born 1978), bagpiper and composer
• Roddy MacDonald (born 1956), pipe major, bagpiper and composer
• Rory Macdonald, bassist of the band Runrig
• Sydney MacEwan, singer (1908–1991)
• Bruce MacGregor, fiddler and broadcaster
• Jimmy MacGregor, folk singer
• Kathleen MacInnes
• Maggie MacInnes, folk singer and clàrsach player
• Colin MacIntyre, also known as Mull Historical Society
• Angus MacKay (1813–1859) bagpipe player
• Graeme Mackay, Accordion composer and player
• Jim Mackay (1939-2022) Accordion composer and player
• Mike Mackay, Accordion composer and player, drummer
• Tom Mackay (1960-2021) Scottish folk drummer
• Alexander Mackenzie (1847–1935), composer, conductor and teacher
• Billy Mackenzie, singer
• Fiona J. Mackenzie, Gaelic singer
• Talitha MacKenzie
• The Mackenzies, indie band
• Maeve Mackinnon, folk singer
• Dave Mackintosh, DragonForce drummer
• Robert Mackintosh (c. 1745–1807), violinist and composer
• Jessie MacLachlan (1866–1916), Gaelic soprano
• Dougie MacLean (born 1954), contemporary folk songwriter
• Mary Macmaster, harpist and singer
• Flora MacNeil, Gaelic singer (1928–2015)
• Catherine MacLeod (1914–2000), Gaelic singer and school teacher
• Donald MacLeod (1917–1982), bagpiper
• Jim MacLeod (1928–2004), bandleader, musician and broadcaster
• Roddy MacLeod (born 1962), bagpiper, principal of the National Piping Centre
• James MacMillan, contemporary classical composer
• Catherine-Ann MacPhee, Gaelic singer
• Mac-Talla, Scottish Gaelic "supergroup"
• The Magnificents, electro rock band
• Alan Mair, bassist from The Only Ones
• Make Model, band
• Steven Malcolmson, songwriter, record producer
• Malinky, folk band
• Jo Mango, alternative folk and acoustic band
• Mànran, band
• Shirley Manson (born 1966), singer/songwriter, Garbage frontwoman, formerly of Goodbye Mr Mackenzie and Angelfish
• Kelly Marie, singer
• Marmaduke Duke
• Marmalade, pop/rock band and first Scottish group to ever top the UK chart
• Helen Marnie, lead singer of Ladytron
• Michael Marra (1952–2012), singer/songwriter and musician
• Lena Martell, singer
• The Martians, rock band
• Bill Martin
• Sarah Martin
• Malcolm Martineau (1960–), pianist
• John Martyn (1948–2009), folk/rock/jazz singer and guitarist
• Sonny J Mason, singer, songwriter, and producer, also known as Justin Osuji
• Steve Mason
• Hans Matheson
• Karen Matheson, lead singer of Capercaillie
• Muir Mathieson (1911–75), conductor and composer
• Lauren Mayberry, lead singer of Chvrches
• MC-VA, rapper, record producer, songwriter and entrepreneur
• Dan McCafferty, lead singer of Nazareth
• The McCalmans
• Willie McCallum, bagpipe player
• Angela McCluskey (1960–2024), lead singer in Wild Colonials
• Alyth McCormack, singer
• Stevie McCrorie, singer-songwriter, won the fourth series of The Voice UK in 2015
• Gordeanna McCulloch (1946–2019), folksong and ballad singer with The Clutha
• Jimmy McCulloch (1953–1979), musician with Paul McCartney and Wings; former member of One in a Million, Thunderclap Newman and Stone the Crows
• Kevin McDermott, singer/songwriter
• Terry McDermott, rock singer with Driveblind
• Alastair McDonald (musician)
• Horse McDonald, singer-songwriter
• Nicholas McDonald, singer
• Shelagh McDonald
• Rose McDowall, vocalist, most notably of Strawberry Switchblade and Sorrow
• Jai McDowall
• Johnny McElhone, founding member of Altered Images, Hipsway and Texas
• Alan McGee, founder of Creation Records; former member of The Revolving Paint Dream and Biff Bang Pow!
• John McGeoch (1955–2004)
• Gerry McGhee, singer in the band Brighton Rock
• Gwendolen McGill (born 1910), Scottish musician, composer and music teacher
• Raymond McGinley, Teenage Fanclub
• Matt McGinn (1928–1977)
• Kerry McGregor (1974–2012)
• Lorraine McIntosh, singer with Deacon Blue
• Catriona McKay, harpist and composer
• Kevin McKay, DJ, electronic musician, record label owner and record producer
• Licorice McKechnie
• Frances McKee, singer and songwriter in The Vaselines
• Kenneth McKellar, singer
• Jackie McKeown, lead singer and guitarist for The Yummy Fur and 1990s
• Murray McLachlan, concert pianist
• Morag McLaren, soprano singer of opera, musicals and cabaret
• Marie McLaughlin
• Ewan McLennan, folk musician and singer-songwriter
• G. S. McLennan (1883–1929), bagpipe player
• Michelle McManus, Pop Idol winner
• Tony McManus, steel-string guitarist
• Andy McMaster, bass, keyboards, vocals, songwriter for The Motors (1977–1980)
• Colin McMaster (1960–1990), lead singer for Heart Industry and The Steel Chain
• Brian McNeill, a founding member of the Battlefield Band
• Meat Whiplash
• Mendeed, Glaswegian metal band
• Mercury Tilt Switch, rock band
• Martin Metcalfe, founder Goodbye Mr Mackenzie (band) and The Filthy Tongues (band)
• Meursault, indie folk band from Edinburgh
• Middle of the Road, pop group
• Malcolm Middleton
• Frankie Miller, blues/rock singer, guitarist and songwriter
• Siobhan Miller, folk singer
• Lisa Milne, soprano
• Peter Milne (1824–1908), violinist and composer
• Miniature Dinosaurs, pop/rock band
• Miss le Bomb
• George Mitchell (1917–2002), creator of The Black and White Minstrel Show
• Aidan Moffat
• Mogwai, post-rock band
• Hudson Mohawke, electronic music producer/DJ
• Momus
• Andrew Montgomery, singer
• Shona Mooney, fiddle player
• Hamish Moore, maker and player of Scottish smallpipes
• PJ Moore, singer and musician The Blue Nile
• Roderick Morison, Gaelic poet and harpist
• Fred Morrison (born 1963), bagpiper and composer
• Iain Morrison, musician and singer/songwriter
• Euan Morton, Broadway actor, singer, voice artist
• Tom Morton, broadcaster and musician
• Mother and the Addicts
• The Motorcycle Boy, indie pop band
• Paul Mounsey
• Mouth Music
• Mr Egg (born 1959), formerly known as James McDonald, singer/songwriter, Egebamyasi, progenitor of acid house music
• Jim Mullen, jazz guitarist
• Mungo's Hi Fi
• Donnie Munro, former lead singer of Runrig
• Stuart Murdoch (born 1968), singer/songwriter, Belle & Sebastian frontman
• Neil Murray, bass player, best known for his work in Whitesnake, The Brian May Band and Black Sabbath
• My Latest Novel, melodic indie pop band
• Mylo, DJ

N

• Na Gathan, indie rock band
• Nalle, psychedelic folk trio
• Findlay Napier
• Peter Nardone, countertenor, organist, choirmaster and composer
• National Park, band
• Natural Acoustic Band, acid-folk band
• Nazareth, band
• The Nectarine No. 9, indie band
• The Needles, band
• Simon Neil, lead singer and guitarist with Biffy Clyro
• Nina Nesbitt, singer/songwriter
• New Celeste, folk rock band
• Rachel Newton, singer and harpist
• Nicolette, singer/songwriter
• Maggie Nicols
• Nightcrawlers, band with DJ and producer John Reid
• Niteworks, electronic Celtic fusion band
• No Way Sis, band
• Rab Noakes, singer, songwriter and producer
• North Atlantic Oscillation
• Paolo Nutini, singer/songwriter
• Nyah Fearties, band

O

• Maeve O'Boyle, singer and songwriter
• Octopus, Britpop band
• Mike Ogletree, drummer and guitarist
• O'Hara's Playboys, pop group
• Oi Polloi, anarcho-punk band
• Old Blind Dogs, folk/blues
• One Dove
• One in a Million, psychedelic rock band
• Barrie-James O'Neill, singer and songwriter
• Jimme O'Neill, singer and guitarist, lead singer of The Silencers
• Orange Juice, Glasgow-based post-punk band
• The Orchids
• Aidan O'Rourke, contemporary folk music fiddle player and composer
• Ossian, band
• Justin Osuji, singer, songwriter, and producer, also known as Sonny J Mason
• Over The Wall
• Dean Owens
• Owl John

P

• Pallas, progressive rock band
• The Pastels, band
• Alistair Iain Paterson, musician and composer
• David Paton, singer, guitarist and bassist with Pilot, The Alan Parsons Project, Camel
• Davey Pattison, lead singer of Gamma
• Paul McKenna Band, folk musical group
• Owen Paul, singer
• Dougie Payne, bassist and backing vocalist of Travis
• PAWS, alternative rock band
• Pearl and the Puppets
• Pearlfishers
• Peat and Diesel
• Peatbog Faeries
• The Phantom Band
• The Pictish Trail
• Pilot, band
• The Poets, band
• Political Asylum, punk band
• Emma Pollock, singer, songwriter, and guitarist; a founding member of The Delgados
• Karine Polwart
• The Poozies, traditional folk band
• The Porridge Men
• Positive Noise
• Frankie Poullain, bass player for The Darkness
• Ian Powrie, country dance musician and fiddle player
• Prides, indie band
• Primal Scream, band
• The Primary 5, band
• The Primevals, rock group
• Christine Primrose, Gaelic singer and music teacher
• Neil Primrose, drummer of Travis
• The Proclaimers
• Pumajaw

Q

• QFX, dance group
• Finley Quaye
• Monica Queen
• The Questions, pop band
• Paul Quinn, vocalist and songwriter

R

• Jesse Rae
• John Rae, drummer, band leader, composer
• Gerry Rafferty, singer/songwriter, Stealers Wheel
• Chris Rainbow (1946–2015)
• Randolp's Leap, indie pop band
• Billy Rankin, guitarist
• The Raphaels, alternative country music band
• Hannah Rarity, singer-songwriter
• Eddi Reader
• Red Hackle Pipe Band
• Red Hot Chilli Pipers
• Rick Redbeard, musician, singer and songwriter
• Jean Redpath (1937–2014), folk singer
• Alan Reid, folk multi-instrumentalist and songwriter
• Jenna Reid, fiddle player
• Johnny Reid, country singer
• Meston Reid (1945–1993), opera singer
• Neil Reid, child singing star
• Maggie Reilly, singer/songwriter
• Tommy Reilly
• The Reindeer Section
• Remember Remember, instrumental band
• Robert Rental
• The Revolving Paint Dream, Andrew Innes' first band, also featuring Alan McGee
• The Rezillos, Edinburgh nu wave punk band
• The Rich, Edinburgh indie band
• Rico
• Manda Rin, singer/songwriter with band bis
• Billy Ritchie, musician and composer of Clouds
• Ian Ritchie, saxophonist, producer and composer
• The River Detectives
• Alasdair Roberts, folk musician
• Arthur Scott Robertson (1911–2000), fiddle player
• B.A. Robertson, songwriter
• Brian Robertson, guitarist for Thin Lizzy and Motörhead
• Eric Robertson, composer
• Jeannie Robertson (1908–1975), folk singer
• Stanley Robertson (1940–2009), storyteller and ballad singer
• Harry Robertson
• Seb Rochford, drummer and bandleader, Polar Bear
• Annie Ross, jazz singer
• Malcolm Ross, guitarist
• Ricky Ross, lead singer of Deacon Blue
• Rote Kapelle, post punk/indie pop band
• Roys Iron DNA, indie band
• Runrig, Gaelic rock band
• RURA, folk band
• David Russell, classical guitarist
• Rustie
• Louise Rutkowski, singer

S

• Sacred Paws, rock band
• Isla St Clair
• Saint Jude's Infirmary, indie band
• Salsa Celtica, Latin/folk fusion band
• Emeli Sandé, singer
• Mary Sandeman (aka Aneka), traditional singer, solo and with Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, Gaelic Mod gold medallist
• Michael Sandison (born 1970), electronic musician, Boards of Canada
• Saor Patrol, folk band
• Paul Savage, drummer in The Delgados
• Scars, band
• Scatter, band
• Bon Scott (1946–1980), singer for band AC/DC
• David Scott, founder and leader of The Pearlfishers
• Mike Scott (born 1958)
• Tommy Scott, songwriter, producer and singer
• Scottish Chamber Orchestra
• ScottishPower Pipe Band
• The Secret Goldfish
• Patsy Seddon, harpist, violinist, and traditional singer
• Shuna Scott Sendall, dramatic soprano opera singer
• The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
• Sergeant, band
• Rachel Sermanni
• Serpico, punk/metal band
• The Shamen
• Jimmy Shand (1908–2000)
• Gordon Sharp. singer with The Freeze and currently Cindytalk as well as a contributor to This Mortal Coil
• Donald Shaw
• Eilidh Shaw, fiddle player and singer
• Rebecca Shearing, pop singer
• The Shermans
• Shetland Fiddlers' Society, group of fiddlers
• Sean Shibe, classical and electric guitarist
• Scott Shields, film composer, musician and record producer. Best known as a member of Joe Strummer's band The Mescaleros
• Shooglenifty, Celtic fusion band
• The Shop Assistants, indie pop band
• Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, grade 1 pipe band
• Derek Shulman, lead singer for Simon Dupree and the Big Sound and Gentle Giant
• SHY & DRS
• The Side, band
• Sìleas, harp duo
• The Silencers
• Silibil N' Brains, hip-hop duo
• Silly Wizard, folk group
• Simple Minds
• Habbie Simpson (1550–1620), town piper in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire
• Tom Simpson, keyboardist for Snow Patrol
• The Singing Kettle, folk music group
• The Singing Scott Brothers
• Sister Vanilla, singer-songwriter
• Skerryvore, Celtic rock group
• Skids, band
• Grahame Skinner
• Skipinnish, traditional Scottish band
• Slam, house and techno DJs and producers
• SleepResearch_Facility
• Slik, Midge Ure's first band
• Sluts of Trust
• Emily Smith, singer
• Martin Smith (1957–1994)
• Tommy Smith, jazz saxophonist, composer, educator and bandleader (Scottish National Jazz Orchestra)
• Alex Smoke, music producer and DJ
• David Sneddon, singer/songwriter
• Snow Patrol, band formed in Dundee
• Snowblood, sludge/post-rock/doom metal band
• The Snuts, indi band
• Jimmy Somerville
• Sons and Daughters, band
• Soom T, reggae singer and rapper
• SOPHIE (1986–2021), musician, record producer, singer, songwriter, and DJ
• Soup Dragons, band
• Spare Snare, band
• Spirea X, Greenock psychedelic band
• Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band
• Sharleen Spiteri, singer, songwriter, guitarist and lead vocalist of Texas
• The Spook School, indie pop band
• Barry St. John (1943–2020), singer
• Adam Stafford, lead singer of Y'all is Fantasy Island
• Stanley Odd, alternative hip-hop group
• Stapleton, rock band
• Robyn Stapleton, singer
• Mike Starrs
• Star Wheel Press
• Stealers Wheel
• Colin Steele, jazz trumpeter, composer
• Steg G
• Freddie Stevenson, singer-songwriter
• Al Stewart
• Andy Stewart (1933–1993)
• Andy M. Stewart, singer, formerly of Silly Wizard
• Belle Stewart (1906–1997), traditional singer
• Calum Stewart
• Duglas T. Stewart, leader of BMX Bandits
• Ian Stewart, keyboardist and co-founder of The Rolling Stones
• Rachel Stewart, singer and folk dancer, a founding member of Beauty School
• Sheila Stewart, Traditional singer (1937–2014)
• Stiltskin
• Stone The Crows
• Chris Stout, fiddle/violin player
• Strawberry Switchblade, band
• Stretchheads, punk band
• Hamish Stuart
• Sucioperro, rock band
• Suckle, indie pop band formed by Vaselines member Frances McKee
• The Supernaturals
• Superstar
• The Sutherland Brothers, folk and soft rock duo
• Stuart Sutcliffe (1940–1962), original bass player of The Beatles
• Katie Sutherland, vocals/guitar with Pearl and the Puppets
• Swanee, rock singer, elder brother of Jimmy Barnes
• Swimmer One, band

T

• Talisk, folk band
• Malachy Tallack, singer/songwriter
• The Tannahill Weavers, folk group
• Katie Targett-Adams, singer/songwriter-MC and Celtic harpist
• John Taylor, fiddler
• Julienne Taylor, singer/songwriter
• Teenage Fanclub
• Telstar Ponies
• Joe Temperley (1929–2016), jazz saxophonist
• Ten Tonne Dozer, groove metal band
• Terra Diablo
• Texas, Rock band
• Sandi Thom
• Ali Thomson
• Chris Thomson singer/songwriter musician and founder Friends Again (band) and The Bathers (band)
• Dougie Thomson, bass player of Supertramp
• Inge Thomson, singer and multi-instrumentalist, a founding member of Harem Scarem
• Paul Thomson, drummer of Franz Ferdinand,
• William Thomson (1695–1753)
• The Little Kicks, band in Aberdeen
• The Threats, UK82 punk band from Edinburgh/Dalkeith
• Thrum, indie rock band
• Tide Lines, four-piece band
• The Time Frequency, dance group
• Tom McGuire & The Brassholes, funk soul band from Glasgow
• Torphichen and Bathgate Pipe Band
• Torridon, folk rock band
• Stuart Tosh, drummer, songwriter and vocalist
• Trashcan Sinatras
• Travis, band
• Treacherous Orchestra, 12-piece Celtic fusion band
• Trembling Bells
• Len Tuckey, musician, songwriter, composer and record producer
• KT Tunstall
• Alison Turriff, classical/folk fusion clarinettist
• The Twilight Sad
• Twin Atlantic
• Two Wings, rock band

U

• Ultra-Sonic, electronic music band
• The Uncle Devil Show, pop-rock guitar band
• Uncle John & Whitelock, horror punk band
• Under the Dome, ambient music band
• Unicorn Kid, Oliver Sabin, DJ / chiptune producer
• Unkle Bob, indie rock band
• The Unwinding Hours, alternative rock band
• Midge Ure
• Urusei Yatsura, band

V

• The Valves, band
• The Vaselines, band
• Ewen Vernal
• The View, band
• Peter-John Vettese, keyboardist of Jethro Tull (1982–1986)
• Dougie Vipond, TV presenter and musician Deacon Blue
• VUKOVI, rock band

W

• Julian Wagstaff, contemporary classical composer
• The Wake
• Gordon Walker, bagpiper and pipe major
• Tom Walker, singer-songwriter
• Gordon Waller (singer) half of the duo Peter and Gordon
• Sheila Walsh
• Keith Warwick
• The Waterboys
• Colin Waterson, electronic musician
• Bruce Watson, member of Big Country
• Lori Watson, fiddle player and folk singer
• Anna Watt (1923–2009), singer from Fran and Anna
• Fran Watt (1922–2003), singer from Fran and Anna
• Kerri Watt, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
• We Are the Physics, indie band
• We See Lights, alternative indie pop band
• We Were Promised Jetpacks, Glasgow based indie band
• Sheena Wellington, traditional Scottish singer
• Bobby Wellins, jazz saxophonist
• Bill Wells, bassist, pianist, guitarist and composer
• Euan Wemyss, lead singer of Captain Face
• The Wendys
• Wensdy
• John Harley Weston, singer-songwriter
• Wet Wet Wet
• Nancy Whiskey (1935–2003), folk singer
• Alasdair White, folk musician
• Andy White, session drummer, famously stood in for Ringo Starr
• Doogie White
• Tam White, blues singer
• White Trash, signed to Apple Records, later changed their name to Trash
• Whiteout
• Astrid Williamson
• Duncan Williamson (1928–2007), storyteller and singer
• Robin Williamson, a founding member of The Incredible String Band
• Roy Williamson, founding member of The Corries and writer of Flower of Scotland
• Paul Wilson, bass guitarist for Snow Patrol
• Ray Wilson, lead singer in Stiltskin and in Genesis between 1996 and 1998
• Robert Wilson
• Thomas Wilson, composer
• Win, pop band
• Withered Hand, solo and band vehicle for Dan Willson of Edinburgh
• Wolfstone
• Stuart Wood, guitarist for the Bay City Rollers
• Eric Woolfson, The Alan Parsons Project's founder member, vocalist and lyricist
• Roddy Woomble
• Writing on the Wall, rock band

X

• The Xcerts, band
• Sophie Xeon (1986 –2021), musician, record producer, singer, songwriter, and DJ. Better known as Sophie

Y

• Y'all is Fantasy Island, alternative folk band
• Yashin, post-hardcore band
• Yasmin, DJ, singer, songwriter
• James Yorkston
• Alexander Young, eldest of the Young brothers, founding member of Grapefruit
• Angus Young, lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the hard rock band AC/DC
• Young Fathers, alternative hip hop group
• George Young, musician, songwriter and co-founder of The Easybeats
• John Paul Young
• Kenneth Young, video game composer and musician
• Malcolm Young, founding member, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and co-songwriter for the hard rock band AC/DC
• Stevie Young, rhythm guitarist and member of AC/DC, former member of Starfighters
• The Yummy Fur, indie rock band

Z

• Lena Zavaroni (1963–1999)
• The Zephyrs, indie band
• Zoey Van Goey, band
• Zones, power pop and new wave band

References

1. Fish, Bob (10 September 2021). "Heisk: Heisk". Folk Radio UK . Retrieved 21 December 2023.