There have been few pop acts before or since that captured the zeitgeist of their era quite like the Bay City Rollers did in the mid-1970s. The tartan clad lads' cover of the Four Seasons' "Bye, Bye, Baby" stayed at number one in the UK for six weeks in March and April 1975There have been few pop acts before or since that captured the zeitgeist of their era quite like the Bay City Rollers did in the mid-1970s. The tartan clad lads' cover of the Four Seasons' "Bye, Bye, Baby" stayed at number one in the UK for six weeks in March and April 1975
There have been few pop acts before or since that captured the zeitgeist of their era quite like the Bay City Rollers did in the mid-1970s. The tartan clad lads' cover of the Four Seasons' "Bye, Bye, Baby" stayed at number one in the UK for six weeks in March and April 1975

15 times Scotland ruled the top of the UK music charts, from Billy Connolly to Bay City Rollers

For any aspiring new music act, there can be no greater feeling than scoring that first UK number one.
Thomas Mackay
By Thomas Mackay
Published 9th Apr 2021, 18:33 GMT
Updated 27th Jun 2023, 07:32 GMT

According to data compiled by the Official Charts Company, there have been a total of 46 songs by Scottish artists that have hit number 1 in the UK since the charts began in 1952.

From the days of Glasgow-born skiffle legend Lonnie Donegan ruling the charts in the 1950s, right up to the present day and the likes of sea shanty icon Nathan Evans and Lewis Capaldi, us Scots are no strangers to being crowned kings and queens of the charts.

Following our recent poll on famous songs that every Scottish person knows, we now take a look at 15 times us Scots were top of the pops.

Following our recent poll on famous songs that every Scottish person knows, we now take a look at 15 times us Scots were top of the pops.

No other Scottish artist has tasted number one success as many times as Calvin Harris. The Dumfries-born superstar DJ has notched an incredible 10 chart-toppers, and collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business, including Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Pharrell Williams.

13. Calvin Harris: Various (2008-2018)

No other Scottish artist has tasted number one success as many times as Calvin Harris. The Dumfries-born superstar DJ has notched an incredible 10 chart-toppers, and collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business, including Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Pharrell Williams. Photo: Other

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With the Snuts and Lewis Capaldi taking the UK charts by storm, t appears that Whitburn is the new epicentre of pop. Capaldi shot to stardom in early 2019, when debut single Somone You Loved enjoyed a six-week run at number one. Follow-up Before You Go (2020), also reached the top.

14. Lewis Capaldi: Someone You Loved (2019)

With the Snuts and Lewis Capaldi taking the UK charts by storm, t appears that Whitburn is the new epicentre of pop. Capaldi shot to stardom in early 2019, when debut single Somone You Loved enjoyed a six-week run at number one. Follow-up Before You Go (2020), also reached the top. Photo: Other

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As the latest Scot to score a UK number one, Nathan Evans was also the unlikeliest. The former postie and TikTok star went viral at the start of the year with his rendition of 19th century sea shanty Wellerman and released the song as a single. Or should that be shingle?

15. Nathan Evans: Wellerman (2021)

As the latest Scot to score a UK number one, Nathan Evans was also the unlikeliest. The former postie and TikTok star went viral at the start of the year with his rendition of 19th century sea shanty Wellerman and released the song as a single. Or should that be shingle? Photo: Other

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