The instrument most strongly associated with the Highlands is the Highland bagpipe, a reed instrument with three drones and a chanter. Typical repertoire includes laments, gathering, marches, dance music and slow airs. Bagpipe playing is widespread and several towns have their own pipe bands, regular performers at Highland Games and other local events. Another traditional instrument associated with this part of Scotland is the clarsach or Scottish harp, a triangular-framed instrument smaller than the classical harp. Visitors are more likely to hear a clarsach played at a formal concert.

The traditional format for music-making in Gaeldom of old was the ceilidh, a gathering for story telling as well as dancing and music-making. Today, ceilidh-type events in the Highlands range from the more formalised concert to gatherings where everyone takes part in the dance. There are also folk music venues in various parts of the Highlands where traditional music may be heard.

See our events section for traditional music events around the Highlands.