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The Skye Boat Song sheet music

Sheet music titled The Skye Boat Song appears in several different guises in this catalogue: a large wind-ensemble arrangement credited to arranger H. Hubley, a piano solo listed as the Outlander theme song, and a piccolo, flute and piano version issued under the title The Birds. Because the listings differ so widely in scoring, key and stated tempo, players should treat each one as a separate arrangement to check rather than assuming they contain the same music. The catalogue does not supply verified information about the song's origins, its authors, or the relationship between these arrangements and any published or broadcast version, so details of that kind should be confirmed against an authoritative reference before being relied on.

Scores 1–20 of 41

Sheet music

Page 1 of 3

The versions listed in this catalogue

Three listings currently appear. One is a substantial wind-ensemble score arranged by H. Hubley, with parts running from flute, oboe and bassoon through clarinets, saxophones, horn, trumpets, trombones, euphonium and tuba, plus timpani, glockenspiel, marimba and percussion. A second is a piano solo titled The Skye boat song (Outlander theme song). A third, titled The Birds, is scored for piccolo, flute and piano. Titles and credits in a catalogue can be inaccurate or incomplete, so read the first page of any score before committing to it.

Matching an arrangement to your players

The wind-ensemble version suits a band with a full woodwind, brass and percussion section and a conductor; it is not a reduced or flexible scoring. The piano solo is the only listing here that a single keyboard player can take on alone. The piccolo, flute and piano scoring calls for two flautists plus a pianist, so decide first which forces you actually have, then look at the parts rather than the title.

Check key, metre and tempo before you begin

The listings show noticeably different starting points. The piano solo is given with one sharp and in 3/4; the piccolo, flute and piano version with two flats and in 2/2; the ensemble score carries several different key signatures across its parts, from no sharps or flats up to five sharps, in 3/4. Stated tempos also vary between listings. These details describe the individual score and may not survive proofreading, so confirm the key and time signature from the music itself and set your own sensible tempo.

Attribution and what remains unverified

One listing credits the music to Bear McCreary, and two titles link the song to the Outlander television series. Other listings carry no composer credit or a generic traditional attribution. Nothing supplied with this page documents the song's authorship, date of composition, or the editorial history of these arrangements, and a catalogue credit is not proof of who wrote what. If attribution matters for a programme note, exam submission or recording, check a reliable published source first.

Scores to open first

Related collections

Common questions

What instruments are needed for the wind-ensemble arrangement of The Skye Boat Song?

The wind-ensemble score arranged by H. Hubley lists flute, oboe, bassoon, three B-flat clarinet parts plus bass clarinet, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, horn in F, two B-flat trumpet parts, trombones, euphonium, tuba, timpani, glockenspiel, marimba and percussion. That is a full concert-band scoring rather than a small ensemble, so it needs a conducted band with a complete brass and percussion section.

Is there a piano solo version of The Skye Boat Song?

One listing, titled The Skye boat song (Outlander theme song), is scored for piano alone. It is given in 3/4 with one sharp and a stated tempo of 160 BPM. Because catalogue credits can be unreliable, check the opening pages to confirm the arrangement is at the level and in the key you want.

Why do some versions of The Skye Boat Song mention Outlander?

Two of the titles in this catalogue present the song as the Outlander theme, and one of those credits the music to Bear McCreary, who is associated with the series' music. That credit describes how the particular score is labelled; the catalogue does not verify whether the arrangement reproduces the broadcast version or how it differs from other settings of the song.

What key is The Skye Boat Song in?

Listings here do not agree on a key. The piano solo is given with one sharp, the piccolo, flute and piano version with two flats, and the ensemble score shows different key signatures across its parts, ranging from no sharps or flats to five sharps. Since the key affects range and difficulty for singers and transposing instruments, confirm it from the score you intend to use.

How can I tell whether a listing is really the tune I want?

Compare the first few bars of the score with a recording or reference copy of the song you have in mind, and check the title page, arranger credit and instrumentation. The listings here carry different titles, scorings and credits, including a piccolo, flute and piano version called The Birds, so the title alone is not a reliable guide to the contents.