Top 10 Best Scottish Bands

Scotland has never needed a huge population to make a ridiculous amount of noise. For a country better known in travel brochures for mountains, castles, lochs, and weather that seems personally offended by sunshine, its band scene has been anything but small. You get acts that filled arenas, cult favorites that rewired whole corners of indie music, and groups whose songs still sound like they were beamed in from some foggy, brilliant alternate universe.

As you move through this list, you will hear how wide that range really is. Scottish bands have pushed post-punk, synth-pop, folk rock, dream pop, alternative rock, and stadium-sized anthems in directions that traveled far beyond Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, and all the moody rehearsal rooms in between. Not bad for a place where half the year looks like it was lit by a single desk lamp.

This is your chance to vote for the Scottish bands that deserve the loudest applause, the most loyal defense, and maybe a polite argument or two in the comments. Because if there is one thing music fans do well, it is agreeing peacefully about band rankings.

The Top Ten

Runrig

No other band stirs my soul and fills me with such love for my country! The music just takes you straight to the place intended! Fantastic songwriting and the live shows are just incredible! Donnie, Rory, Bruce, and Brian have magical voices. Malcolm makes that guitar sing like no other!
Simply in a class of their own! There will never be another Runrig!

Love this band, but they are not my #1. That is Big Country. However, had it not been for my love for Big Country, I would never have found this fabulous band.
I was once asked what my dream concert would be to see. I said, Logan to open for Runrig, and Runrig to open for Big Country. Now that would be the ultimate.
Underneath the Lights

Absolutely superb live, and their new EP Wasted Time is unreal! Give it a listen! You won't regret it. I've seen them live too! Definitely the best new band in Scotland right now and deserving to top the list!
They've come so far in so little time. They're going to go very far!

Great original songwriters and a fresh new sound. Great following and bundles of energy and charisma. They are going to go far and one day top this list!

I have the pleasure of knowing these guys. They are incredible and very much deserve this. Watch out, these guys will lift off!
Big Country

Big Country has been and will always be my favorite band of all time. America lost out not knowing more from them than what VH1 dubs as a one-hit wonder. Luckily, I loved this band enough to follow them to date and have witnessed many great tracks from them.
I was so stoked when Mike Peters from The Alarm took on the vocals for Stuart. Then, when Derek Forbes took over bass for Tony Butler, I was happy with the match. I do miss my Tony and, of course, the man who was just a man, Stuart Adamson.
I can't help liking the direction the band has taken with their music and how they are evolving. I'm just very happy that Bruce Watson and Mark Brzezicki are still remaining. Many do not know this, but Mark Brzezicki played with The Cult for a short time. Bruce played in The Skids, a band in which Stuart also played. Bruce also played in a band called Fish.
Yes, I did say Big Country is my all-time favorite band.
Simple Minds

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band that formed in 1977. They achieved major commercial success during the 1980s with albums like New Gold Dream and Once Upon a Time. Despite changes in the band's lineup, they have continued to release new music and tour internationally.

Talented, musical, powerful, melodic, atmospheric, and charismatic. They taught U2 all they know about captivating stadium fans as well as reaching individuals.
From their early raw sound to their current material, they have never failed to deliver. Have a re-listen to Live in the City of Light. By FAR the best Scottish band. Period. (Although there have been many other fantastic bands from our wee nation).

It's Simple! Minds. Love Runrig! BUT Simple Minds went past the great Scottish tradition and put the best of the West into the great Scottish tradition. They injected Lou Reed and The Doors into their Scottish veins, and the result kicks ass!
Great rock music with a Scottish touch. These guys knew the musical landscape and added a Scottish touch that I truly value. Thank you, Glasgow buddies!
Belle and Sebastian

Not just the best Scottish band, to me they're the greatest. They are my life, but at the same time, they saved my life. I listen to a pretty diverse type of music (from classical to electronica), but there's nothing like B&S. Stuart Murdoch writes so many great lines that make me want to quote them every time.
The music is as lovely as the lyrics.

The most underrated band ever. No competition. So many great songs.
Stuart Murdoch is a genius, there's no other way about it. Simply incredible. And bloody good live.

Agreed. Severely underrated. The more music I listen to, the more I become convinced of this. Stuart Murdoch is one of the two great writers of the English language, the other being Virginia Woolf.
The Jesus and Mary Chain

The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride in 1983. The group centers around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid. Known for their fusion of feedback-heavy guitar sound with pop melodies, the band became a defining act of the noise pop... read more

It's a rare trick to uphold the sacred tenets of rock and roll while simultaneously tearing them down. The Mary Chain rock!

Discordant, dissonant, and riotous. One of the best Scottish bands ever. Forget Biffy Clyro, man.

Still remember their '85 gig in Hamburg where they only played for about thirty minutes but blew me totally away with their raw energy and all their noise, which still had beautiful melodies underneath.
One of my top five concerts of all time and the best Scottish band by far.
Nazareth

Nazareth is a Scottish hard rock band that was formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in December 1968. They achieved global recognition in the early 1970s with albums such as Hair of the Dog and hits like Love Hurts and This Flight Tonight. The band continues to record music and tour internationally more than... read more

They have only been around for 45+ years with 22 studio albums. Scottish rock pioneers! They should be number one for sure!

Brilliant band in the seventies. They were probably the best Scottish rock band ever!

Very underrated band. In my opinion, one of the best bands ever.
Biffy Clyro

Biffy Clyro is a Scottish rock band formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. The group consists of Simon Neil on vocals and guitar, and twin brothers James and Ben Johnston on drums and bass, respectively. Since their formation, they have released multiple critically acclaimed albums and established a strong... read more

Amazing live, they put on such a good show! They always have an amazing atmosphere when playing, and when you meet the guys, they're always so nice! So friendly to their fans, best Scottish band around!

Superior musicianship and thoughtful lyrics really do make Biffy Clyro stand out as one of Scotland's greatest bands. Franz Ferdinand have nothing on Biffy Clyro.

Intense visuals in their lyrics and a great sound. They are the only band I know of that constantly keeps me guessing and enjoying each song a hundred times over.
Cocteau Twins

#28? What? In a class by themselves if you ask this New Yorker. But hey, perhaps I am missing something. Perhaps these bands ahead of them on this list need my attention.
All I can say is the Cocteau Twins are ethereal bliss.

One of the most influential bands in the world, let alone Scotland.
The Proclaimers

"I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more!" These guys are just so awesome. Definitely one of the best Scottish bands! I love their accent and just how awesome they make the simple lyrics sound.

The Proclaimers are the best band, in my opinion. They sing songs about themselves and what's on their hearts. People still love them after 29 years.

"Sunshine on Leith", "Then I Met You" and, obviously, "500 Miles". The Proclaimers produce amazing lyrics and tunes, and both are just so easy to listen to. Long may they reign.

The Newcomers

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Alestorm

Alestorm is a heavy metal band originally from Perth, Scotland. Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, earning them the label of "pirate metal" from critics and fans. The band has released several albums and tours internationally, known for their humorous and energetic performances.

One of the biggest pirate metal bands in the world. They helped to thrust the genre into the mainstream, originating from Perth, Scotland.
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We Were Promised Jetpacks

One of the best live Scottish acts today. They're very much about the crescendo, and the wall of sound they hit you with is incredible.
Their 2009 album These Four Walls is a hell of a debut album. 2011's In the Pit of the Stomach is nearly an hour of blissful indie post-punk with the aforementioned walls of sound. 2014's Unravelling shows their experimental side. Excited for what's to come from this group.

These Four Walls is a perfect album from start to finish.

The Contenders

Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish rock band based in Glasgow. The group was formed in 2002 and became known for its energetic style and post-punk revival sound. The original lineup included Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, Bob Hardy, and Paul Thomson.

Not just my favorite Scottish band, but my favorite band of all time. They have released three albums, all of which were masterpieces, and the fourth is set to follow suit.
These guys don't just play rock music. They saved it, deserving of the title of "The Archdukes of Rock."

My all-time favorite band from the UK. I first heard them from my brother and haven't hated a single song from them yet. I recommend this band to all who like alternative and rock.

Franz Ferdinand completely changed my life. Every single song on every single album is just spectacular. I highly recommend this band to any rock lovers!
Deacon Blue

It's a damn shame that this band never hit it big in the United States. "When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)?" may be one of my favorite power pop ballads of all time. Yet, this song is why this band mainly has a niche audience in the States, and the same goes for "Real Gone Kid."
They had a certain blue-eyed soul quality to their sound, which is very similar to all those AM gold acts of the late '70s and early '80s (Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, David Pack, and others) in many ways. The group's harmonies are excellent as well.
Underrated as all hell, sure, but I think Deacon Blue deserves more recognition.

Clearly should be in at least the top 3, if not number 1. They've been around for over 25 years and sell out tour after tour. As good as some of the bands listed in the top 10 here are, most of them have sold only a fraction of the tickets Deacon Blue have.
To put the likes of Belle and Sebastian above them is pure snobbery.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

I'm hooked on this band. I really love this kind of music. I would have loved to see them live, and Alex Harvey is very addictive, drawing you in with great charisma.
They have got to be the most entertaining band of all time. Definitely different, but surely that's what it's all about. Love the way Harvey tries to scare the audience, but I'm more hooked. Pure brilliance.

I was hooked from the first time I heard Next... back in 1973. I went to see them at Christmas in 1975 and they blew me away! They have to be one of the best live acts of all time.

If you think you are a rock'n'roll expert, listen to "Boston Tea Party" and see. Very appropriate for the times. Great underrated Scottish band.
Paolo Nutini and the Vipers

The most well-known young Scottish singer outside Scotland. His voice is unique, powerful, and passionate. He can sing in almost any genre, and he never gets boring. And his band is always quality!

The best voice to come out of Scotland! I love Paolo Nutini. I could sit and listen to him forever. His lyrics are amazing, and he always sings with a touch of pain in his voice. Top guy.

So in love with this man and his voice! Bought EVERY album!
The Fratellis

They suck if you listen to a clip! But if you listen to them carefully, they are going to be your ear porn and then you can't get rid of them.

Great music! I love The Fratellis. It's a pity they split with such a short and promising career.

Although one-album wonders, their first album was a wonder.
The View

Best band in Scotland. Kyle has a very unique and powerful voice. Simple and creative.
The Corries

The harmonies between Roy and Ronnie are so amazing. Some of the songs they sing make great lullabies, and they do some classics as well. Although an older band, they are timeless.

True Scottish hearts. I have been listening to them through my father at the campfire since I can remember.
The Exploited

The Exploited are a Scottish punk rock band from Edinburgh. The group was formed in 1978 by Stevie Ross and Terry Buchan. Terry was soon replaced by his brother Wattie Buchan, who became the band's frontman and has remained the central figure in the group.

I cannot imagine my teen years without Exploited records!
Texas

Texas have such amazing songs, such as Inner Smile, In Demand, and Summer Son, not to mention their other hits. The singer has an amazing voice and charisma. A great musical export to the world.

I cannot understand why Texas are so far down this list. They are probably second only to Runrig.
Sparrow and the Workshop

Top three favorite bands. Never gets old. Best music for fall into wintertime. Keeps your blood flowing.
Bay City Rollers

The Bay City Rollers are a Scottish pop band whose peak popularity occurred in the mid-1970s. British Hit Singles & Albums described them as "tartan teen sensations from Edinburgh" and noted that they were heralded as "the biggest group since the Beatles." The band became one of the most prominent teen... read more

Very underrated. Take a listen to their 80s albums. Completely different band.

Selling millions and millions of records in the 70s should surely get them higher than #67!
Travis

Heard about Travis a month back. Now I have heard each and every track of theirs, and I can surely say that they are one of the best bands that I have ever come across.
Each of their tracks just speaks for itself! They are just an amazing and massively underrated band.

Why the hell is Travis at #10? They are the only Scottish band to have a record within the top 25 best-selling UK albums of all time! No offense to The View, but have they even sold 1 million records in total?
While The Man Who has well and truly passed 6 million.
Arab Strap

Deserve to be in the top ten for "The First Big Weekend" alone.
Hue and Cry

The brothers Kane from Glasgow. Still going strong after almost 30 years in the business. Scotland's most funky dudes.

Sorely underrated. Extraordinary pool of talent in this band and solo projects.

The best singer this side of Sinatra.
Primal Scream

Primal Scream are the Rolling Stones of Scotland, hands down!

They have done nearly every music genre and released so many top-quality albums. Not many bands can say that. They have so many different sounds. Screamadelica is one of the greatest albums around and will be remembered for years.

You'd think they would be higher.