Quote Originally Posted by Nathan View Post
Irish stuff is enjoying a period of popularity. Bands like the Pogues made it cool to a wide range of people and inspired other bands to remake the music in a punk mould.

Scottish folk stayed more traditional and their crossover acts aimed more to the adult contemporary and country markets. The folk rock influenced groups like Runrig and Silly Wizard appealed to the rockers rather than the punks and so that's a separate strand. You'll find a lot of Scottish folk in soft-seat theatres and folk festivals than in Irish pubs.

I play both Irish and Scottish music in order to stay busy. In fact, I grew up with Scottish Gaelic and instrumental music along side Anglo-Irish ballads and pub songs.

Scottish music doesn't seem to be as comfortable promoting the drinking music stereotype. It is, generally speaking, slower and more plaintive. We like being sad. The Irish have this kind of music also, but they balance that with the rousing drinking songs. Scottish music has some of these but far fewer than say, the Irish or Newfoundland traditions.

One main difference between Irish and Scottish pubs here is that all of the Irish pubs have a sound system or stage for live music and the Scottish pubs don't.

They make their money selling single malt and don't want to give up the table space I suppose.

The best way to find Scottish folk music is to check out the tour schedules of artists you like to see when they'll be coming your way.

Some to check out:

Natalie MacMaster
Julie Fowlis
Mary Jane Lamond
Ashley MacIsaac
Barry Shears
The Barra MacNeils
Cathy Anne MacPhee
Beolach
Alasdair Fraser
The Rankins
Old Blind Dogs
Ecosse
Wolfstone
Battlefield Band
Capercaillie
Enter the Haggis
Hadrian's Wall
Heb Celt offers many kinds of Scottish music, and beyond, but you'll have to travel to Stornoway

http://www.hebceltfest.com/index.php

Terrific line up by the way