In terms of classical music, there has long been a rich seam of talent running through Scotland which is regularly mined to produce gems such as the conductor Sir Alexander Gibson, percussionist Evelyn Glennie and composers Thea Musgrave, James MacMillan and Craig Armstrong. Individual talents like these are ably supported by orchestras and ensembles of international standing and benefit from being able to perform in a variety of first-class venues in each of the cities.

While producing its own musicians and composers of the highest calibre, Scotland has also been able to attract some of the biggest names in the classical firmament to live, work and be inspired here: Sir Peter Maxwell Davis, Lyell Cresswell, Sally Beamish, Alexander Lasarev, Neeme Järvi to name only a few in recent years. Scotland is also a major attraction for visiting companies, not least for the Edinburgh International Festival, one of the premier festivals on the international circuit.