Scottish Music (Traditional)

While most people think only of the Scottish bagpipe (which after centuries is still a vibrant form of music) Scottish music is much more varied and expansive than that limited viewpoint. Today's post deals with Scottish musical genres over the centuries -- all of which are still played and enjoyed today.

Traditional Scottish Musical Genres

Clarsach (Scottish harp music)

One of 3 surviving medieval harps -- Museum of Scotland

One of the earliest forms of music in Scotland, the Scottish harp is first seen in the stone carvings of the Picts in the 600s and 700s.

Using horsehair for strings, the clarsach (it's Gaelic name) spread from Scotland to England and Ireland and on to Europe. Harpists were highly prized in the medieval periods, playing for kings, featured on royal regalia, and playing for coronations and other official functions. Today, Edinburgh hosts the International Harpists Festival.

Tin Whistle music

Dating back in Scotland to at least the medieval period (although similar whistles have been discovered going all the back to the Neanderthals), tin whistles are a mouth-blown, six-holed woodwind. Below, a performance of Loch Lomond played on a tin whistle.

Bagpipe music
 

Although most closely identified with Scottish culture, bagpipes are actually found in many parts of the world. Initially a Highlands instrument dating back to the 1400s and 1500s, it spread throughout the British Isles and colonies in the 1700s and 1800s with the British army, when large numebrs of Highlanders joined up post-1745. Most of what's played todya is on the Great Highland Bagpipe although many different bagpipes were found in Scotland

Scottish fiddle music

First mentioned in a Scottish publication in 1680, Scottish fiddling became very popular in the 1700s in both Scotland and the British colonies. While it formed the basis for much of American folk music, traditional Scottish fiddling is still quite popular today. Below is a performance by Katie Boyle from Glagsow:

Scottish Accordion music

Usually played for dances, Scottish accordions have long been popular. Below is a performance by Sandy Brechin of Edinburgh playing accordion dance tunes.

Cèilidh (country dance music)

The word (pronounced "kay-lee"), which originated in Ireland, means "companion" and originally referred to any social gathering. But later it came to mean specifically dances. As should be clear by now, much of Scottish music involves dancing and communal celebration.

Bothy Band music

From 19th Century Scottish farming communities where married couples lived in cottages called touns and single men lived together in a bothy (shelter). Often these single men formed bands for dances and celebrations. They utilized fiddles, accordions, bagpipes, and tin whistles. Below is a folk revival band from 1977, The Bothy Band

Scottish Music (Rock and Pop)

Annie Lennox

One of my all-time favorites, Annie Lennox of Aberdeen, Scotland first gained fame as part of the 80s duo Eurythmics, with hits such as "Sweet Dreams", "Here Comes the Rain" and "Who's That Girl".  She then emerged as a successful solo artist in 1990s and 2000s with hits such as "Why," "Little Bird," and "Walking on Broken Glass" (see video below, which also features Hugh Laurie).

KT Tunstall

A popular singer-songwriter from Edinburgh. Below are her two most well-known songs. The first, "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" is from her first TV performance, which was her breakout performance.

Franz Ferdinand

This band from Glasgow formed in 2002. They've had several hits including "This Fire," Do You Want To," and "Take Me Out".

Simple Minds

From Glasgow, Simple Minds were a major Eighties band, selling 40 million records since 1979. Their hits included "Alive and Kicking," "Belfast Child," "Sanctify Yourself," and their biggest hit  -- from the 1985 film Breakfast Club -- "Don't You Forget About Me." (see below)

Susan Boyle

Perhaps the most unlikeliest pop star of all time, Susan Boyle became a hero to us "regular" folk the world over when she wowed judges and audiences on Britain's Got Talent back in 2009. The Glasgow-native has since sold millions. To see her first appearance, go to the link below. It's well worth it.

The Fratellis

An indie band form Glasgow that released two hit albums in the 2000s (Here We Come and Costello Music).  For no they seem to be on permanent hiatus. Below is one of the bigger hits, "Chelsea Dagger."

Bay City Rollers

There was a brief period between 1974 and 1975 when the Bay City Rollers were so popular that the success of the "tartan teens from Edinburgh" was being compared to Beatlemania (and was called appropriately enough Rollermania.) Their two biggest hits were "Saturday Night" and "Bye Bye Baby". (By the way, the person in the center in the above photo is not a Bay City Roller but rather Witchiepoo from HR Puffnstuf)

The Proclaimers

Comprised of idential twins Charlie and Craig Reid from Leith (near Edinburgh), The Proclaimers had a huge hit in 1993 in the US with "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"  -- which had been a huge hit in the UK earlier in 1988.

For many in Scotland, "Sunshine on Leith" is a sentimental favorite.

Sheena Easton

From Bellshill, Scotland, Easton had several hits in the 1980s including "Strut", "For Your Eyes Only" (from the 1981 James Bond film), "The Lover in Me," and "Sugar Walls."  Below is her first hit, "Morning Train" (called "9 to 5" in the UK)

Gerry Rafferty

Singer-songwriter Rafferty, a Glasgow-native, had several hits in the 1970s, first with his band Stealers Wheel ("Stuck in the Middle With You") then had several solo hits, such as "Right Down the Line," "Days Gone Down," and his biggest hit (#2 in the US), "Baker Street".

Amy MacDonald

While not as well-known in the US, MacDonald from Bishopbriggs, Scotland is huge throughout Europe (especially in Germany, Denmark and Sweden). Her album, This is the Life has sold 3 million copies.

Donovan

Briefly considered the UK's answer to Bob Dylan, Donovan (full name: Donovan Philips Leitch) of Glasgow had several hits in the 1960s, including "Sunshine Superman," "Wear Your Love Like Heaven," "Atlantis" and the "Hurdy Gurdy Man" (below), which was used quite effectively in the film Zodiac.

Big Country

A staple of "Best of the 80s" compilations, this Dunfermline-based band formed in 1981. Their biggest hit was "In a Big Country.

Del Amitri

From Glasgow, this band's hit "Roll to Me" was ubiquitous in the 1990s.

Maeve O'Boyle

One of Scotland's newest singer-songwriters, O'Boyle is from Glasgow, where she often performs at local clubs.

Nazareth

The group was from Dumfermline, Scotland. Their biggest hit was 1976's "Love Hurts," one of the original "power ballads" this is now a staple of Hollywood soundtracks.

Mark Knopler (of Dire Straits)

Knopler was born in Glasgow, Scotland and is best known for the 1985 Dire Straits song, "Money for Nothing."

Jesus and Mary Chain

A Glasgow-based alternative band from the late 1980s and 1990s. Below is one of the bigger hits, "Head On."

Emma's Imagination

The stage name of Edinburgh-native Emma Gillepsie. While not well-known in the US yet, she has had two hit songs in the UK, "Focus" and "This Day" (see below). She got her break when she won the Sky-TV talent program Must Be the Music.

Lulu

A star in the 1960s and early 1970s, Lulu (real name Marie McDonald McLaughlin, from Glasgow) was  most famous for the theme song to the James Bond hit Man With the Golden Gun and for starring in and singing the title song to To Sir, With Love.

Cultural Matters: Scottish TV

To me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of travel is to immerse oneself into the culture before arriving at your destination. And for Britain, there are so many ways to do this – through books, magazines, radio (btw, all BBC Radio programs are free on the web for Americans), films, and especially television.

Earlier this year, I posted clips and trailers for several mainstream British shows (i.e., those shown throughout the UK). But today, let's look at some shows produced by STV (Scotland Television) and BBC Scotland for primarily a Scottish audiences (although a few of these became hits in the UK and beyond). This will give you a flavor of the diversity of accents, attitudes, and cultures we'll be encountering.

Case Histories

Based on the novels by Kate Atkinson, and stars Scottish actor Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies), this a crime mystery series based in Edinburgh. Here's a trailer for it (and it is available in the US on DVD).

Rebus

Based on the worldwide bestselling crime novels by Edinburgh-native Ian Rankin, these STV shows adapted several novels featuring Detective John Rebus. He was played by two actors (John Hannah, pictured, and then Ken Stott). Filmed primarily in Edinburgh. They are currently streaming on Netflix.

Great shots of Edinburgh from the Ken Stott version

Burnistoun

This is a popular comedy sketch show from BBC Scotland starring Glasgow comedians Iain Connell and Robert Florence. It's a series of short sketches all based in a fictional West Scotland town. They are in their third season (called series in the UK).

Clip 1: Scottish History

Clip 2: Burnistoun Rap (Who's Shoe is That?)  (contains some mild language)

 

 Chewin the Fat

Another Glasgow-based BBC sketch comedy show that ran from 1999 to 2002, yet still has a big following. Starred Greg Hemphill and Karen Dunbar (more with her below).

Clip 1 Those Who Can and "Can't"

 Clip 2 Shakira parody (mild language)

Single Father

A 4-part 2010 mini series about a newly widowed father of three (played by David Tennant of Doctor Who and Harry Potter fame). Excellent, emotional drama. Filmed in Edinburgh and Glasgow by BBC Scotland. (Can you tell that the BBC Scotland is based in Glasgow?)

Trailer

The Karen Dunbar Show

A BBC Scotland produced comedy sketch show from 2002-2005 that is still popular. Stars the popular comedian from Ayr, Scotland, Karen Dunbar (from Chewin the Fat).

Clip 1: Paperclip as a Q-tip

Clip 2 Group photo

Bob Servant

A 6-episode comedy that aired last year, based on a series of hilarious articles and books by Neil Forsyth. Bob Servant is a former hamburger restaurant owner in the small town of Broughty Ferry who decides to run for the British Parliament. The show is about his inept campaign and his decidedly poor handle on political matters. Stars Scottish actor Brian Cox (of X-Men, Troy, Bourne films and who played the original Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter). Most of the shows are currently available on Youtube.

River City

A Glasgow-based soap opera from BBC Scotland  that began airing in September 2002. Based in a fictional area of the West End of Glasgow (an area we will visit), the hour show airs each Tuesday 9it originally aired twice a week in half-hour shows). Forget Brave and Braveheart -- this is the real Glasgow (minus the murders, affairs, and crimes

Opening theme:

A typical episode:

British Christmas Traditions

Many of the Christmas holiday traditions in Britain are similar to ours (stockings, decorations, carols, Christmas trees, etc.) but there are also some uniquely British ones. Scotland becomes even more complicated since Christmas was almost entirely eliminated after the Protestant Reformation and did not completely resurface until the 20th Century (Hogmanay was instead celebrated -- more on that in another post.) The following are some typical British Holiday traditions.

Father Christmas

Since the late 1800s, Father Christmas has become almost identical to our Santa Claus. But because of the Catholic origins of Christmas (the Mass of Christ) and Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas, a Turkish priest), Britain turned away from some of the Christmas traditions after the Protestant Reformation. St. Nick became Father Christmas, a pre-Christian figure (sometimes called Old Man Winter) who wore green robes and had red hair. The Ghost of Christmas Present in Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol (see above image) is the supposed to be Father Christmas. Incidentally Dicken's novel popularized the then radical idea of people getting off from work on Christmas.

The Queen's Christmas Message

Since 1932 with King George V, the reigning British monarch makes an holiday speech to the Commonwealth nations. It started by the head of the BBC as a way to launch its World Service. Today, the message is giving by Queen Elizabeth II. Originally on the radio, but since 1957 (see image below), it has been televised, and now is also webcasted. While often derided by the British as quaint and outdated, it is still considered a tradition to gather with one's family to watch it.

The queen's first message in 1957

Here is last year's Christmas message:

Christmas crackers

Begun by Thomas Smith in 1846, after seeing bon-bons in Paris, they originally were candies wrapped in colorful paper. In 1850, a poem/motto was added. In 1860, "bangers" were added so that it 'popped' when opened. (Hence the name "crack"-ers). In the early 1900s, paper hats (crowns) were added, and it is now common for holiday revelers to wear the crown around the Christmas dinner table (which may be a throwback to 12th Night celebrations, see below). By the 1930s jokes and games were added.

Students wearing crowns from Christmas crackers

Mince meat pies

Made from fruit instead of meat (although shredded meat was used in the 1500s), these are 2" to 3" pastry pies. Ingredients include raisins, spices, apples, honey, apricots, candied citrus peel, and cherries. It is often left out for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.

Christmas TV shows

The BBC and many other TV channels in Britain often present special episodes of their hit shows, or premiere original films on Christmas. It is one of the biggest days of the year to watch TV. Hit show Doctor WHo hs had a Christmas show for the past 6 years. Below are trailers for this year's Christmas shows and for Doctor Who.

Yule log

Traditionally, a large log that was kept burning for the 12 days of Christmas. Sometimes wine was poured on it before being lit. The name comes from the Germanic winter holiday of Yule-tide, the start of their year. it has long since been a part of Christmas throughout Northern Europe. Today, the Yule log is usually represented as a chocolate cake rolled up into a "log".

Christmas Panto

A humorous play presented during the holidays (traditionally starting on Boxing Day, 26 December). Involving audience participation and cross dressing for humorous effects (often starring famous --or at least, once-famous -- actors, singers and other celebrities), it is usually a fairy tale (Cinderella, Snow White, Aladdin). While aimed at families, the humor at times can be quite campy with lots of double entendres. It evolved out of the earlier Mummer's plays (the word refers to the fact they were once silent plays) involving masks and lots of humor. These plays go back over a thousand years. The story is usually the tale of St. George defeating the dragon. (The English flag is the St. George cross).  These purposely silly plays were done during the 12 Days of Christmas. Today in London, a traditional mummer play is still presented.

Below is a video of the 2010 Mummer play on the River Thames in front of Shakespeare Globe
Here is Scottish actor John Barrowman talking about doing a panto and his Christmas traditions
And here is favorite Scottish comedian Karen Dunbar talking about doing panto in Glasgow

Twelfth Night

Celebrated on the night before the 12th Day of Christmas, which is Epiphany (i.e., 6 January). (Why night BEFORE -- back in the Middle Ages, the day ended when the sun went down. The next day did not start at midnight, like now, but rather at sundown. Hence, why we so many "eve" celebrations).  This was when Jesus was visited by the wise men with their Gift of the Magi. As it is 12 days from 25 December, hence the Twelve Days of Christmas.  In Britain, this is when all Christmas decorations come down. It was also a feast day and time of celebration and entertainment. And that is what William Shakespeare play was -- a Twelfth Night entertainment. Part of the feast is spiced ale, ginger snaps, and a cake. If one gets the bean hidden in the cake, then one is king for the day (hence the crowns in the Christmas crackers above).

Candlemas

While Twelfth Night is now considered the end of the holiday season, traditionally it used to be 2 February with Candlemas (the mass of candles), when all of a church's candles were blessed. Candles were once not just for light, but also as a way to ward off evil spirits; Jesus was seen as a spiritual candle in the dark. Some churches and communities still celebrate it.

Wassail and Wassailing

Wassail is a spiced ale with apples and honey from the 1400s. It was presented in a communal bowl (a "loving cup"). One passed it around or went from house to house, often while singing (origins of the modern caroling tradition). Comes from the Old English word "waes hael", which meant "be well." Ingredients can include eggs, cream, ale, sugar, spices, crab apples, and bits of bread on top. It is an essential feature of 12th Night celebrations, although is enjoyed throughout the holiday time.

Here is a performance of a wassailing song:

 Boxing Day

Sometimes called The Second Day of Christmas, this is a secular holiday (although it is also St. Stephen's Day in Ireland) during which people traditionally gave money and gifts to the needy. It is a bank holiday (the British term for a public holiday, what we might call a Federal holiday like President's Day). In recent times, it is also a major shopping day.

Christmas pudding

A tradition going back to the 1400s, a dessert (which the British call pudding) served on Christmas. Usually a plum pudding (thanks to King George 1, the "Plum King" who preferred it). Traditionally has 13 ingredients. Made on "stir up" Sunday, the last church service before Advent. The term "stir up" comes from the 1549 Prayer Book: "Stir up, we beseech thee O Lord..."

Posset

A drink for Christmas eve that includes hot milk, ale, spices, lemon, sugar and oatcake or bread.