Roots and Branches 60:27

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Scottish music extends far beyond the Great Highland Bagpipe that we've come to associate with men in kilts and big bearskin hats. The beautiful sounds of the Gaelic tradition have remained in Scottish folk music throughout the ages, and pieces today retain many of the traditional aspects gleaned from the past. The music of Scotland started life in singing and harp playing, which is currently in revival with contemporary players. Later developments centred around dance, especially stepdance, when the fiddle came into vogue. Witty ditties, lively rhythms and toe-tapping tunes conjure up the scene of Scottish country dances, ceilidhs, Highland balls and flings. In contrast to all this jolly song and dance, traditional Scottish songwriters have also created many haunting ballads and laments, often sung by a solo singer over a delicate musical background (usually on harp, fiddle, accordion or bagpipes). These kinds of songs have more of a feeling of the Scottish landscape, the harsh winters and the solitude of the rural Highlands. As for those ubiquitous bagpipes, it's interesting to note that they only became the national instrument in the 15th century

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