Top 10 Best Scottish Songs of All Time

Music has long been a part of Celtic tradition, and from the Celtic heritage folk music has always been a major part of Scottish tradition.  Music is alive and well in Scotland, from the raging underground music scene in Glasgow to the capital city’s musical namesakes.  But what are some of the best songs of Scotland?  Well – we’ve made a list.  I’ve asked around to find what folk thought were the songs that best represented the nation, and unsurprisingly many artists and tracks came up over and over.  So, without further ado, here are the Edinburgh Guide’s Top 10 Best Scottish Songs of All Time* (and the artist we prefer to hear singing them):

* Yes, some songs aren’t originally Scottish but are by Scottish artists.  Other songs are Scottish but sung by a non-Scot.  But a “top 10 list of random songs that kind of sort of remind you of Scotland” doesn’t sound as interesting, does it?

10 – River by Travis

Travis is one of my favourite rock bands from Glasgow.  They’ve had a number of hits in the underground circles, but one of my personal favourites is their cover of Joni Mitchell’s River.  It’s a low key piece, with just the band and a piano, and while the lyrics aren’t necessarily about Scotland, they easily could be.  But listen to it – they do a smashing job, and it’s a wonderful song to enjoy over a hot cup of tea on a grey day in Edinburgh.

9 – Chelsea Dagger by the Fratellis

The Fratellis are an alternative rock band from Glasgow – of the three members, all of whom are named Fratelli, none of whom were born named Fratelli.   Chelsea Dagger is one of the band’s two UK hit singles, and this song seems to have become a football club’s rant chant theme song.  We’d be here all day if I listed the examples, but just look at this list in Wikipedia - crazy.  (You can picture the over-served football fans dancing and jumping, right?)

8 – Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall

This mega-hit that you might well recognise was written by KT Tunstall, a wee Scottish lass born in Edinburgh and reared in the University town of St Andrews.  You can’t help but think about the wide open plains (and perhaps a tinge of boredom?) that KT references in her song.  She doesn’t attribute it directly to a location in Scotland, but only says that:

It’s about gambling, fate, listening to your heart, and having the strength to fight the darkness that’s always willing to carry you off.

7 – Caledonia by Frankie Miller

Caledonia is the Roman word for Scotland.  It was one of Frankie Miller’s number one hits, but it’s a later entry to his discography; Miller was born in Glasgow and is a rock legend, with such well-known artists as Bob Seger calling him a muse.

I think the lyrics speak for themselves:

Oh, but let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia you’re calling me
And now I’m going home
If I should become a stranger
You know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia’s been everything
I’ve ever had

6 – Polmont on My Mind by Glasvegas

The glam-sounded Glasvegas are a very popular rock band hailing from Glasgow.  Polmont on My Mind is a track from their debut and self-titled album. Polmont is a town between Edinburgh and Glasgow and the title refers to a Polmont prison, one of many prisons that Glasvegas has performed at.  Scotland on Sunday asked the band why they always frequented prisons, and they said:

Because Glasvegas isn’t exclusive to anybody. When we played Cornton Vale it was really heartbreaking. You look about the room and there are all these women with the saddest, saddest eyes. You could probably just run through the performance and get out, but if you let their energy in then it’s overwhelming.

5 – Massacre of Glencoe by Alastair MacDonald

It is terrible that such a horrible piece of history is marked by such a beautiful song.  This lyrical tale (now recorded by over 50 artists) recounts the worst of all clan clashes.  The Campbells came and asked for refuge and shelter from the MacDonalds in Glencoe valley.  As was the custom of the time, even enemies when asked for hospitality were given it – a bond of trust in that day in age.  But one night, the Campbells massacred their friendly host – wiping the clan virtually off the map.  It was a truly unwelcome event, which you can relive listening to this tale.

4 – Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney

Now, just for the record, Paul McCartney (yes, the one of Beatles fame) is English, not Scottish.  We’ll excuse him just this one.  But if you see the music video of Mull of Kintyre, there is no denying that this is a classic Scottish Song.  It’s about the Mull of Kintyre, a part of Scotland on the very very edge of the mainland and the closest point to Northern Ireland.  When heading this way be sure to check out Campbeltown.  (And if you’re curious, here’s some more Beatles trivia about the Mull of Kintyre.)

3 – Loch Lomond by Runrig

The six members of Scottish folk rock band Runrig started rocking the Scottish scene in 1973, and thirteen albums later, they’re still at it.  But you can’t help but shed a little bit of a tear when you hear those classic lyrics in Runrig’s style:

You’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road,

And I’ll be in Scotland afore you.

Where me and my true love will never meet again,

On the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

In case you don’t know, Loch Lomond is Northwest of Glasgow and its one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland.  Simply stunning and if you can make it there during your visit, go!

2 – Sunshine on Leith by the Proclaimers

The Proclaimers are a well-known pair of Scottish twins who took the world by storm back in the 80s.  Their most well known song is probably “I’m Gonna Be 500 Miles” but we prefer Sunshine On Leith.  Nothing to sneeze at, this was their second most popular song (and album by the same name) which spawned a musical, has become Hibernian F.C. Football club’s signature tune, and was a movie soundtrack song as well.  The duo were born in Leith, hence the reference.

1 – Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

Oh, come on – you aren’t shocked are you?  We couldn’t overlook the fact that Auld Lang Syne is the probably the only song in history everyone sings at the same time on the same day every year.  Even if nobody knows the lyrics.  It’s a Scottish artist’s stamp on the world, one that might just go on forever.  And for that, Robert Burns, we salute you.  We’ll do better on the lyrics next year, we promise.

photo by ajanssen