Bagpipes

When people think of Scottish music, their minds go to the sound of the bagpipes amidst a military tattoo or the lone piper sharing the sounds across the Highlands. As a musical instrument of war, the first mention of the bagpipes appears to date from 1549 at the Battle of Pinkie, when the pipes replaced trumpets to help inspire the Highlanders into battle. In the Scottish Lowlands, pipers were part of the travelling minstrel class, performing at weddings, feasts and fairs throughout the Border country, playing song and dance music. Highland pipers on the other hand, appear to have been more strongly influenced by their Celtic background and occupied a high and honoured position. Since the 1960s, bagpipes have also made appearances in other forms of music, including rock, metal, jazz, hip-hop, punk, and classical music, for example with Paul McCartney’s “Mull of Kintyre”, AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”, and Peter Maxwell Davies’s composition An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise.

Online Academy of Irish Music
10 Best Bagpipe Lessons Near Me 2018
North American Academy of Piping & Drumming
Eastern United States Pipe Band Association
Western United States Pipe Band Association

Scottish Drumming

Scottish drumming is a unique and demanding discipline. It borrows elements from Swiss and American rudimental drumming, traditional Scottish musical idioms, and jazz phrasings. Scottish drumming is a unique and demanding discipline. It borrows elements from Swiss and American rudimental drumming, traditional Scottish musical idioms, and jazz phrasings. The full sonority of bagpipes is not complete without the unique feel and style of the drums.

North Georgia Pipes and Drums
Free Percussion Lessons
Bodhran Tutor

Scottish Fiddle

Scottish fiddling is performed with energy, enthusiasm, and varies from region to region. There is a mention of the fiddle in documents dating 1497 so it’s not a surprise that the titles of fiddle tunes truly reflect the history and people of Scotland.

Hardanger Fiddle Assoc. of America–Teachers
Fiddler Magazine
Fiddlevideo
Fiddling Around the World

Celtic Harp

The Celtic harp is traditional to Wales, Brittany, Ireland and Scotland; in Scottish Gaelic, it is known as clársach. There is evidence that the musical tradition of the clàrsach may have influenced the use and repertoire of the bagpipe.

The Harp Connection-National Teacher Directory
Clive Morley Harps Beginners Guide

Scottish Dance

Known in Gaelic as dannsa Gàidhealach, Highland dancing is a competitive and technical dance thatsome describe as based on Gaelic folk dances  infused with the conventions of ballet. The dance requires technique, stamina, and strength and is often performed to bagpipe music. Interesting fact – Highland Dance is recognized as a sport by the Sport Council of Scotland.

Discover Scottish Dancing
Scottish Dance Groups USA
Scholarship for Highland Dance
Dance Place