 Music in early modern Scotland includes all forms of musical production in Scotland between the early sixteenth century and the mid @-@ eighteenth century . In this period the court followed the European trend for instrumental accompaniment and playing . Scottish monarchs of the sixteenth century were patrons of religious and secular music , and some were accomplished musicians . In the sixteenth century the Scottish church was dominated by the Protestant Reformation and the Scottish Reformation Parliament of 1560 . The church in Scotland was largely disestablished , and many church buildings were demolished . The church in Scotland was largely disestablished , and many church buildings were demolished . The