The Beautiful, Rhythmic Scottish Music
Scotland is a modern and traditional country. Their kilts, bagpipes, Celtic music are symbols for their country as we know it today. Scotland is a truly remarkable country which greatly values their traditions and cultural heritage. It is an interesting and extraordinary fact that the Scottish heritage is widely spread and safely kept not only at home, but also abroad, where descendants of Scottish emigrants live in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Scottish and Irish music are grouped in the Celtic genre that is probably the most sold kind of folk music in the world.
The Scottish Celtic music, as the Irish, also varies greatly, from traditional folk music, to modern music with Celtic overtones. In Scotland, Loreen McKennitt, Enya and Clannad and bands and are very popular, but they play very limited kind of Celtic music, especially for abroad listening. The Scottish people prefer traditional music or modern Celtic songs which are realistically connected to their lives.
Their main purpose during festivals and celebrations is entertainment, which is why the Scottish dancing is very rhythmic, enthusiastic, exuberant and easy to learn. Music is usually provided by bands that play live. The instruments they use are typical of Celtic music such as violins and Fiddle, flutes, tin whistles, the typical Irish hand drums made from goatskin – bodhrans and smaller bagpipes. Without any doubt, the most famous Scottish Gaelic music band with a career spanning over 20 years is Capercaillie. They have increased the masses interest in Scottish traditional music by modern influences. The singer, Karen Matheson is of the most popular Gaelic female voices. They usually play slow but rhythmic songs, mostly in Gaelic but many of them are in English too. They have a very varied discography and perfect as an accompaniment for a trip in Scotland, but not necessarily.