Top 10 Tartan Army Songs Every Scottish Pub Performer Should Know
During the last round of Scotland football qualifiers, I stumbled upon a shocking revelation…
A surprising number of pub performers don’t have key Tartan Army tunes in their back pockets!
With more matches coming up, it’s worth brushing up on your Scottish football anthems before the Tartan Army descends upon pubs across country. These are the tunes that will fill pubs with roaring voices, and the odd spilt pint (worth it!). The kind of moments that make live music magic.
Here’s my top ten Tartan army songs to get your match day crowd going:
1. Flower of Scotland
Unofficial Scotland National Anthem (although some would prefer alternatives). Essential for any crowd before kick-off.
2. Loch Lomond
Instant crowd pleaser and singalong that will bring a tear to the eye of the hardest men and women in the pub, and they’ll thank you for it.
3. We’ll Be Coming Down the Road
A Tartan Army favourite that’s dead easy, and there is really no excuse not to know.
4. Doe a Deer (or Do-Re-Mi to the Musical Buffs)
Yes, from The Sound of Music. Adopted by fans to rile up Austrian fans and players back in 1998 and loved due to how out of place it is
at a football match. It simultaneously bewilders and probably pisses off opponents. This song sums up the Scottish fan perfectly -
playful, loud, and absolutely unpredictable
5. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Obvious one here. A classic Scottish party anthem that we all kid on we hate, but can’t resist when that chorus comes round…
6. Yes Sir, I Can Boogie
A newer addition to the album. The song went viral thanks to a video of the boys celebrating their Euro 2020 celebrations by singing and
dancing to the song in the dressing rooms. There is previous history with Andrew Considine and a stag do video.
7. Ally’s Tartan Army
A throwback to the 1978 World Cup, this song was written and sung by Andy Cameron. A well-loved nostalgia trip for older fans.
8. We Have A Dream
An emotional ballad from 1982, if you want to slow things down a bit.
9. No Scotland, No Party
The most recent addition to the Tartan Army’s playlist. Made popular in Germany 2024, where Scotland’s friendliness and enthusiasm
earned them praise across Europe and adoption by the home nation.
10. Caledonia or Will Ye Go Lassie Go (Wild Mountain Thyme)
I couldn’t decide as they are both very moving traditional Scottish folk songs that we all feel every lyric to (cue more greetin’).
That is a good starting point, and it will allow you to get the crowd on your side. Even if you don’t know a requested tune, one of the above will be a close enough match to appease the room and get everyone singing along.
If you want to really go for it, enhance your set list with tunes by famous Scottish bands and artists:
Simple Minds, Deacon Blue, Paolo Nutini, Texas, Amy Macdonald, KT Tunstall, Aztec Camera, Annie Lennox, AC/DC and not forgetting anything by the icon that is Billy Connolly.
And, we can’t finish up without a few notable mentions:
Bonus crowd-pleasers:
Scotland the Brave
Que Sera Sera
Shang-a-Lang
We’ve Got McGinn
Chelsea Dagger
Bits & Pieces
Get your setlist match-day ready with these iconic Scottish football songs that guarantee a sing-along!