This thesis is a data-based examination of the intonation system in Scottish English. As an introduction to the thesis I examine briefly the physical and psychophysioal correlates of intonation. I then go on to discuss the work of two of the main investigators in the field of British intonation - D. Crystal and M.A.K. Halliday. An initial analysis of the data-base with reference to the analyses proposed by Crystal and Halliday led me to set up a series of experiments to test the reality of the notion 'tonic'. These experiments are described in detail. Six readings of a text are then examined with specific reference to pause duration and fundamental frequency measurements. The results of the 'tonic' experiments and the measurements of the texts prompted me to propose a contour system analysis of intonation. I propose that there is a neutral contour in Scottish English (specifically Edinburgh Scottish English) which is typified by two stressed peaks of prominence which deviate from a baseline of unstressed syllables. This contour varies its realisation according to its function e.g. the initial peak is boosted when a new topic is introduced. Support for such a contour system analysis is provided from the literature of various languages (specifically Dutch, German, Russian and Danish).