Early music

Stringed instruments have been known in Scotland from at least the Iron Age. The first evidence of lyres were found on the Isle of Skye (dating from 2300 BCE), making it Europe's oldest surviving stringed instrument.

Bards, who acted as musicians, poets, story tellers, historians, genealogists and lawyers – relying on an oral tradition that stretched back generations – were found in Scotland; accompanying themselves on the harp, they can also be seen in records of the Scottish courts throughout the medieval period.

During the Middle Ages “the Kirks” attempted to supress dancing and traditional music at Penny Weddings and events, particularly in the Lowlands.

There is evidence that there was a flourishing culture of popular music in Scotland during the late Middle Ages, which saw the creation of the ceòl mór (the great music) of the bagpipe, which reflected its martial origins, with battle-tunes, marches, gatherings, salutes and laments.

Of course, all traditional notions were prohibited after the Act of Proscription 1746, especially the bagpipe.
From the late nineteenth century there was renewed interest in traditional music, which was more academic and political in intent. This revival began to have a major impact on traditional, classical and cultural music, with the development of what was in effect a national school of orchestral and operatic music in Scotland.

Did you know the origins of the word “Tattoo”?

According the BuchananBanner #16 page 14 (PDF page6) “On duty in the Netherlands… soldiers were housed in hamlets and villages bordering the battlefields. At day's end, the troops usually relaxed at local inns. When closing time approached, drummers marched through the streets lo remind innkeepers to stop selling beer, saying, "Doe den tap toe," which meant "turn off the taps". But the young soldiers learned only the last two words - tap toe. And like servicemen through the ages who have combined words to create their own specialized vocabulary, "tattoo" soon became their accepted term for "tap toe". As the custom evolved, other musicians joined the drummers. Eventually, entire bands played for the garrison.

Ceilidhs

Ceilidhs usually involve dancing and playing Gaelic folk music, either at a house party or a larger concert at a social hall or other community gathering place.

Music at Highland Games

For many Highland games festival attendees, the most memorable of all the events at the games is the massing of the pipe bands.

Normally held in conjunction with the opening and closing ceremonies of the games, as many as 20 or more pipe bands will march and play together. The result is a thunderous rendition of Scotland the Brave or Amazing Grace, and other crowd-pleasing favourites.

And now, within Modern Rock and Celtic World Music, Scotland well-and-truly punches above its weight.

Reference: Wikipedia