Ceilidh is an important part of both Scottish and Irish cultures, and its role within the traditions is central to the onward transmission of music, poetry and lore. There has been a renaissance in Scottish traditional music in recent years, and this article examines the learning processes and means of transmission in traditional music that have significant implications for the teaching of music in higher education. The ways in which traditional musicians learn and the values that the people bring to the music, while not unique to Scottish culture, are of significant interest to higher education institutions. This article reflects on how traditional musicians learn their craft and examines how participating in the traditional arts helps young people to learn music and gain both confidence and pride in their own culture. (Contains 1 table.)