There are some songs that every Scot knows (“Da Da Da, Dun Diddle Un Diddle Un Diddle Uh Da Da”, need we say more?) However, there are many talented artists scattered around Scotland that are lesser-known to the wider music-loving community.
For tourists visiting our capital, being greeted by the bagpipers’ moving Scottish melodies is one of the Edinburgh attractions that makes the trip so memorable. For local Scots who are well-acquainted with bagpipes, cities famous for their music scenes like Glasgow may be of greater interest as the talent pool is even more diverse meaning there’s something for everyone.
Either way, enjoying music while you’re out and about (and not just on Spotify) is a fun novelty that has the power to uplift us. So, when we asked our Scotsman readers for their favourite ‘little-known musicians’ of Scotland, we were delighted to receive a treasure trove of responses; some more abundant than others, looking at you Andy.
Here are 18 of those responses for the “best buskers” in Scotland. Disclaimer: many artists who busk are not limited to street performance alone, be sure to check out any names you’re interested in and see what else they’ve been up to.
9. Daniel Ladds
Daniel Ladds is a fingerstyle acoustic guitarist and popular busker in Glasgow. His profile on ‘The Busking Project’ reads: “I am from East Kilbride just outside Glasgow and I've been a guitarist for upwards of almost 10 years now and I have expanded that passion into busking and performing at events!” Photo: Alan Falconer
10. Saffron Hanvidge
Frequently spotted in the centre of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, Saffron is a native Gaelic speaker and a music student of Sabhal Mor Ostaig. Last year, Saffron was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician. Photo: via Saffron Hanvidge
11. Bobby Nicholson
Bobby Nicholson is a guitar-playing singer-songwriter based in Edinburgh. In recent years, Nicholson has played at The Royal Oak during the Fringe in Edinburgh where his music has been received well by enthusiastic audiences. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via John Foley
12. The Wheeled Piper
Despite suffering difficulties with her arthritis and scoliosis, Katie Robertson or “The Wheeled Piper” has wowed audiences across Scotland. The talented musician has even won awards for her bagpiping brilliance. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via The Wheeled Piper