1. Traditional and Folk Music:
- Bagpipes: The bagpipes, particularly the Great Highland Bagpipes, are iconic to Scotland and are used in traditional music, parades, and military ceremonies.
- Ceilidh: Lively gatherings involving traditional Scottish music and dancing, featuring instruments such as fiddles, accordions, and drums.
- Fiddle Music: Fast-paced and intricate fiddle playing is a prominent feature in Scottish music, with traditional tunes and melodies passed down through generations.
2. Gaelic Song: Traditional songs in the Scottish Gaelic language, often accompanied by acoustic instruments like guitars and fiddles.
3. Clarsach: The clarsach is a traditional Celtic harp used in Scottish folk and classical music.
4. Strathspey and Reel: These are specific dance rhythms found in Scottish music, played with upbeat tempos for lively dances.
5. Waulking Songs: Traditional work songs sung by women while waulking (fulling) woolen cloth.
6. Burns Songs: Songs composed by Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, often sung at Burns Suppers and other cultural gatherings.
7. Military and Pipe Band Music: Scotland has a strong tradition of pipe bands, with military, police, and civilian bands performing traditional and contemporary pipe music.
8. Celtic Rock and Alternative Music: In recent times, Scottish musicians have fused traditional music with rock, pop, and alternative genres, creating unique sounds like Celtic fusion, folk-rock, and indie-folk.
9. Contemporary Classical Music: Scottish composers have contributed to classical music, with works incorporating traditional elements or composed for Scottish instruments.
10. Scottish Jazz and Blues: These genres also have dedicated scenes in Scotland, showcasing talented jazz and blues musicians.