Bagpipes, Traditional Scottish Music & Gigs

Pulsating, vibrant, rousing and… electrifying?!? It's safe to say the traditional Scottish music in the 21st century offers a few surprises. You might think you know what traditional Scottish music is all about, but delve into today's dynamic folk music scene and you're bound to find something unexpected yet wholly captivating. Beware: it's pretty easy to get hooked!

Glasgow Music City Tours showcase, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

Scottish Traditional Music

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Are you aged 18 - 26 and involved in traditional music?
Is there a venue near you that could host a traditional music session?
If yes, find out more here!

Traditional songs and Gaelic music have been at the heart of Scottish culture for centuries and it has never been more important to support our many creative talents. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready for some foot-stomping gigs in Scotland and Scottish songs as you travel through the sounds of the most exciting contemporary folk musicians and singers.

Listen to a range of Scottish trad music

Get involved in a jumping trad music event

Celtic Connections

© Glasgow Life / Gaelle Beri

Feel the Beat in Winter 2023

Celtic Connections, 19 January - 5 February, Glasgow

The Old Man of Hoy

© VisitScotland / Colin Keldie

Feel Scotland's Rhythm in Spring 2023

Mull Music Festival, 20 - 23 April, Argyll
Edinburgh Tradfest, 28 April - 8 May, Edinburgh
Shetland Folk Festival, 27 - 30 April, Shetland
SkyeLive, 12 - 13 May, Isle of Skye, Highlands
Orkney Folk Festival, 25 - 28 May, Orkney
Knockengorroch World Ceilidh, 25 - 28 May, Dumfries & Galloway
Islay Festival, 26 May - 3 June, Argyll

Edinburgh's Festival Theatre

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Hear the sounds of Summer 2023

Broadwood - Live by the Loch, TBC, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire
The Eden Festival, June, Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway
Oban Live, TBC, Oban, Argyll
Riverside Rock Summer Party, TBC, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders
Fèis an Eilein, TBC, Isle of Skye, Highlands
Ceòlas Summer School, July, South Uist, Outer Hebrides
Stonehaven Folk Festival, 7 - 9 July, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
Tiree Music Festival, July, Isle of Tiree, Argyll
Hebridean Celtic Festival, 12 - 15 July, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF), 27 - 29 July, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides
ButeFest, 28 - 30 July, Isle of Bute
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, 27 - 29 July, Inverness, Highlands
Mull of Kintyre Music Festival, August, Campbeltown, Argyll

TRNSMT Festival at Glasgow Green

© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

Catch live music in Autumn 2023

Blas Festival, 2 - 10 September, various locations
Ceòl Cholasa, 15 - 18 September, Isle of Colonsay, Argylll
Jura Music Festival, 25 September, Isle of Jura, Argyll
Feis na Mara, 7 - 9 October, Arisaig, Highlands
Royal National Mòd, 14 - 22 October, various locations
Denholm Folk Festival, 3 - 6 November, near Hawick, Scottish Borders
The Islay Sessions, 11 - 13 November, Isle of Islay, Inner Hebrides
SEALL Festival of Small Halls, 18 - 26 November, Isle of Skye, Highlands

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Bagpipes, Traditional Scottish Music & Gigs

Scottish Traditional Music