Outlander Soundtrack: How Scottish Folk Music Influenced The TV Series

By Hannah McLaren -

How has Scottish music shaped the Outlander soundtrack? Learn the history behind The Skye Boat Song which features in the title sequence, and how Scottish folk music plays a role in scene soundscapes.

The Outlander soundtrack primarily composed by Bear McCreary is steeped in traditional Scottish music. Many pieces draw directly from historical Scottish folk songs, reels, and jigs.

Instruments like bagpipes, fiddles, and harps evoke the spirit of 18th-century Scotland, where much of the story unfolds.

Each new season of Outlander opens with a rendition of the popular Scottish folk tune The Skye Boat Song, which has taken on a whole new meaning for fans of the show.

The History of The Skye Boat Song

The Skye Boat Song is a traditional Scottish folk song written in the late 19th century by Sir Harold Boulton, with the melody adapted from a Gaelic rowing tune called Cuachag nan Craobh, which translates in English as “Cuckoo of the Tree”. Cuachag nan Craobh was composed by William Ross in 1782 and is lament of unrequited love.

While Sir Harold Boulton’s lyrics recount Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Disguised as a maid, he fled to the Isle of Skye with the help of Flora MacDonald.

The song captures Scotland’s Jacobite history, parts of which are depicted (inaccurately at times) by the Outlander TV series. Its haunting melody and evocative imagery have made it an enduring Scottish song.

Adapted by Bear McCreary and singer Raya Yarbrough for the Outlander soundtrack, the lyrics shifted from the original 19th-century text about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape to instead reflect Claire’s disorientating journey through time.

Let’s take a look at all the different versions of The Skye Boat song composed for the show. There is, of course, a Scottish thread throughout the series’ opening sequences, however, the setting of each season often led the musical direction.

Season 1: The Original Song

Traditional elements like the fiddle, bagpipes and snare drums establish the connection to Scotland’s musical heritage.

A haunting orchestral arrangement underscores the mystical and romantic aspects of Claire’s time-travel adventure. This version reflects Claire’s initial displacement and her connection to the Scottish Highlands, embodying themes of longing and adventure.

Season 2: French Twist

As the story moves to France, the theme adopts a French Baroque flair. The use of harpsichord and strings introduces an air of 18th-century France. The tempo becomes lighter and more elegant, aligning with the courtly and political intrigue of the French setting.

This variation mirrors the shift in the series’ tone and location while maintaining the song’s Scottish roots.

Season 3: Sea Voyage Version

Reflecting the voyage to the Caribbean, the theme incorporates maritime instrumentation with accordion and percussion evoking the sound of Scottish sea shanties.

The arrangement feels more adventurous and expansive, aligning with the themes of exploration and survival. This adaptation captures the vastness of the ocean and the perilous journey undertaken by the characters.

Season 4

In season 4 of Outlander, the story moves to colonial America, so the theme adjusts.

Banjo and Appalachian-style strings evoke the early American soundscape, a nod to the influence of Scottish folk music on Appalachian music. The vocals retain their haunting quality and the thread of longing for Scotland as the setting changes.

Season 5

The arrangement in season 5 is very paired back to the point it arguably loses any distinctive Scottish quality. The sound becomes more introspective, paralleling the Fraser family’s struggles experienced this season.

Simpler instrumentation and the softer dynamics of choir singing emphasise the fears and personal high stakes of the characters.

Season 6: The Duet

Scottish Gaelic singer Griogair Labhruidh joins Raya Yarbrough in a duet for season 6. His deep, resonant Scottish voice sets the tone and contrasts beautifully with Yarbrough’s ethereal vocals.

This creates a rich, layered rendition that feels the most Scottish of the whole series. There is also a Gaelic solo of The Skye Boat Song recorded by Griogair Labhruidh, which also feature this season.

Season 7: War Themes

Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor lent her vocals to the theme song for the Season 7 Outlander soundtrack. The show-runners decided to keep this version for Season 7, Part 2 following the singer’s death last year.

With the American Revolutionary War as a backdrop, the theme slips away from Scotland, growing more intense and filled with a sense of loss. Percussion and bold strings evoke the sound of conflict, reflecting the brewing tensions and the Fraser family’s entanglement in history.