Scotland may be very old (formally founded in 843 AD under King Kenneth MacAlpin), but the Scottish culture is alive and well and living in numerous entertainments here in America’s Semi-Quincentenial year of 2026.
Pop Superstar Ed Sheeran
U.K. musician Ed Sheeran regularly sings about “the bloomin’ Heather” with the traditional Irish/Scottish folk song “Wild Mountain Thyme,” often as a guest collaboration, at his concerts. Ed Sheeran emerged from Suffolk, rising to fame in 2011 with his debut album ‘+’ and cemented his superstar status with hits like “Shape of You,” “Thinking Out Loud,” and “Perfect,” selling over 200 million records! Having a major award winning pop star perform a Scottish ballad at concerts is another indication that Scottish cultural influences are strong and can “pop” up anywhere. He even dresses Scottish, as the popular Ed Sheeran “look” features casual, layered, tartan shirts.
Joni Mitchell – “Chelsea Morning”
Lyrics include the lines “woke up, it was a Chelsea morning and the first thing that I heard was a song outside my window and the traffic wrote the words. They came ringing in like Christmas bells and wrapping up like pipes & drums.” Joni’s marvelous music is available online and on CDs.
It’s not surprising Joni Mitchell would reference bag pipes & drums in one of her hit songs. While Joni was born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, she spent her childhood primarily in Saskatchewan. The strong Scottish influence in Saskathewan dates back over 200 years and began with the fur trade. By 1941, citizens of Scottish origin in Saskatchewan was over 35% of the population.
Pop Super Stars ABBA
Even a Swedish pop group’s hit songs included Scottish references. “Super Trouper” includes the line “. . . when I called you last night from Glasgow.” The “B Side” of the record was song about a bagpiper. While ABBA (Agneta, Bjorn, Benny, Anni-Frid) disbanded in 1982, their hit songs, including “Super Trouper” have been incorporated into a long running stage musical called “Mamma Mia.”