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30th November 2024: Gaelic Singer of the Year Award at The Trads, Inverness
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, the most prestigious night in Scotland’s traditional music calendar, crowned this year’s winners at an impressive ceremony in Inverness last night. Held on St. Andrew’s Day, the awards showcased the exceptional talent and achievements within the trad music scene over the past year as Inverness Leisure was transformed into a glittering hub of celebration bursting with talent from across Scotland.
Attended by more than 1,000 musicians and industry supporters and hundreds of trad fans, and watched live on BBC ALBA by thousands more, the 22nd edition of the awards saw 116 nominees whittled down to 26 winners, selected by 25,000 members of the public and a panel of expert judges.
Organised by Hands Up For Trad and launched in 2003, The Trad Awards, or ‘Na Trads’, celebrate musicians, bands, and industry professionals who have made significant contributions to Scotland’s cultural heritage. The first time in a decade it has been held in Inverness, the event represents the ambition, passion and determination of all those who have enriched Scotland’s vibrant musical landscape over the last year.
The 2024 winners included:
Album of the Year, sponsored by Birnam CD: The Waiting Room by Eamonn Nugent
Event of the Year, sponsored by VisitScotland: Skipinnish at Edinburgh Castle
Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland: Beth Malcolm
Composer of the Year, sponsored by PRS for Music: Alec Dalglish
Gaelic Singer of the Year, sponsored by Highland Society of London: Emma MacLeod
Live Act of the Year sponsored by Shure: Niteworks
Musician of the Year, sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands: Ciorstaidh Beaton
Original Work of the Year, sponsored by Musicians’ Union: Ar Cànan ‘s ar Ceòl by Trail West
Scottish Pipe Band of the Year, sponsored by National Piping Centre: Skye Youth Pipe Band
Up and Coming Artist of the Year, sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: Falasgair
Scots Trad Music Awards organiser Simon Thoumire said: “When you look around the Trad Awards, what you see is resilience in action. Despite not knowing what tomorrow brings, our sector continues to innovate, to create, to find new ways forward. This spirit of determination is supported by crucial partnerships. We are incredibly grateful to our hosts in Inverness for their warm hospitality and all those who made coming back to the capital of the Highlands possible. To our audiences, artists, nominees and sponsors: thank you. Your support for these awards allows us to promote the strength, creativity and ingenuity of our traditional music and highlight the positive impact it has on the lives of so many.”
Presented by Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the awards were broadcast live on BBC ALBA and can be watched back on BBC iPlayer or via bbc.co.uk/alba. For more information visitwww.scotstradmusicawards.com.
17th August 2024: Glenfinnan Gathering Highland Dancing Competitions, Glenfinnan
The prizes for the Highland Dancing competitions at the Glenfinnan Gathering, supported by the Highland Society of London, were presented by Andrew Macdonald of Boisdale, a trustee of the Society.
The winner of the MacKellaig Cup for the Adult Open competitions was Rachel Walker, who won the Highland Fling, Strathspey & Reel, Sword Dance, and Jig; and jointly won the Highland Scottische with Laura Smith. The winner of the Glenfinnan House Cup for 12-15 Open competitions was Eilidh Smith, who won the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Sean Truibhas, and Flora MacDonald’s Fancy; and was second in the Strathspey & Reel. Finally, the winner of the MacGuire Cup for 8-11 Open competitions was Isla Campbell, who won the Strathspey & Reel, Sword Dance and Sean Truibhas.
Congratulations to all of the dancers who took part in the competitions throughout the day. Photos courtesy of Mairi Illsley, Dancing Steward of the Glenfinnan Gathering.
12th June 2024: Highland Dancing prize, Queen Victoria School
Each year, the Highland Society of London supports the Queen Victoria School Highland Dancers’ prize. This year the recipient is principal dancer Saskia Russell.
Stephanie Stinson (Highland Dancing Instructor, Pipes Drums and Dancing Dept) writes: “Saskia has been a committed and dedicated member of the school dance team since she joined QVS 7 years ago. Throughout her time, she has successfully completed her bronze, silver and gold level awards in dancing and she has gone on to achieve her NPA level 4 in dancing as a subject. Outwith these achievements, Saskia has represented the school to the highest standard at various events throughout her school career. Within her role as principal dancer, she has lead her team from the front, always instilling pride in the discipline of dancing and setting high standards for those in the junior years. The dance team wishes Saskia every success as she ventures off to pastures new.”
2nd December 2023: Gaelic Singer of the Year award at The Trads, Dundee
The esteemed winners of the 21st MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards have been announced at a celebratory ceremony at Dundee’s Caird Hall.
The prestigious awards night saw 22 awards handed to a talented group of musicians, promoters, individuals and venues, who were honoured out of over 110 nominees for their valued contributions to Scottish music and culture. This year a record number of over 100,000 votes were cast by fans and followers of the traditional music scene, illustrating the escalating popularity and support the genre commands within Scotland and beyond. Over the past two decades, its expansion has captivated broader audiences with new festivals and more events year on year.
Supported by Creative Scotland, the Trad Awards, or ‘Na Trads’, inaugurated in 2003, stand as a testament to the innovation and dedication of the individuals and organisations whose valuable contributions continue to enrich Scotland’s vibrant musical landscape. Presented by Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the awards were broadcast live on BBC ALBA and can be watched back on BBC iPlayer.
One of the country’s most recognised and accomplished fiddle players Duncan Chisholm won the award for Album of the Year, sponsored by Birnam CD, for his record Black Cuillin. Duncan’s seventh studio album to date, the beautiful body of work draws inspiration from the mountain wilderness on the Isle of Skye. Celebrated singer and multi-instrumentalist Julie Fowlis was honoured as Musician of the Year, sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands. A well-kent face on the Scottish music scene, Julie has been singing, dancing and piping since she was a child and has released six solo albums to date, and a further eight with various musical groups.
The talented Iona Fyfe was hailed Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year, the award sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland, while acclaimed songstress Eilidh Cormack was named Gaelic Singer of the Year, sponsored by Highland Society of London.
West Coast natives Trail West were named Live Act of the Year, sponsored by Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust. A band renowned for their energetic performances, Trail West have continued to rise in popularity over the past decade, from their modest roots as a four-piece ceilidh band to a formidable live act, worthy of any festival stage.
Scottish Dance Band of the Year, sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs was awarded to Iain MacPhail; Scottish Folk Band of the Year, sponsored by Threads of Sound was won by Blazin’ Fiddles, and Scottish Pipe Band of the Year, sponsored by National Piping Centre was awarded to The Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band. Up and Coming Artist of the Year, sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland was awarded to Dunfermline siblings The Shands. The talented trio have been playing together since a young age and have their sights set on a bright, musical future.
The Clearances Again by Donald Francis MacNeil and Skipinnish was named Original Work of the Year, sponsored by Musicians’ Union. The powerful protest song was penned in response to plans to ban inshore fishing and all marine activities, and was Isle of Vatersay fisherman Donald’s recording debut.
The Gaitherin South Sessions in Glasgow was named Club of the Year, while The Tolbooth in Stirling took home the title for Venue of the Year. Event of the Year, sponsored by VisitScotland was awarded to Orkney Folk Festival. Community Project of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, was awarded to Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail for the organisation’s ongoing support of young musicians in the trad scene.
BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk took home the prize for Trad Music in the Media, sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian University. Composer of the Year, sponsored by PRS for Music was named Heidi Talbot and Music Tutor of the Year, sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative, was awarded to Domhnall Bàn MacDonald. A new award was created this year in honour of the late, beloved folk writer and critic Sue Wilson. The Sue Wilson New Writer Award, sponsored by Songlines Magazine, was awarded to Angus MacPhail of The Oban Times.
A number of special prizes were awarded, selected by a panel of esteemed industry judges, to those whose services to traditional music and culture have made significant impact. John Urquhart received the Services to Gaelic Award, sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig; Donald Smith was presented with The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award; while Frieda Morrison received The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Award, sponsored by Creative Scotland.
A raft of industry awards which recognise those individuals and organisations who support the creative pipeline of the trad music sector were also awarded. Somhairle MacDonald was named Graphics Designer of the Year; Mhari McLeman of Shetland Folk Festival took home the title of Traditional Music Enabler of the Year; Euan Robertson Photography was awarded Photographer of the Year and Gary at the Ceilidh Place was honoured as Venue Technician of the Year.
Photo credit: Hands Up for Trad
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards champion top Scottish traditional musicians of all genres and this year’s ceremony both showcased and celebrated Scotland’s flourishing music scene in style. A host of incredible performances delighted the Dundee audience, with stand out sets from acclaimed Gaelic songstress Joy Dunlop and her band, Album of the Year winner Duncan Chisholm, legendary Skye folk-fusion group Peatbog Faeries and Scottish trad party-starters Mànran.
Simon Thoumire, organiser of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the 2023 ‘Na Trads’ such a resounding success. From the passionate audience members and all of our incredibly talented performers to everyone who voted and our generous sponsors and supporters, we truly couldn’t hold these awards without you. Congratulations to all the deserving award winners; your dedication and artistry continue to elevate and inspire the scene as a whole.
“Our 21st year has felt like a coming of age and it’s been wonderful to celebrate this milestone with those across Scotland and beyond who share our love of Scottish traditional music and its profound cultural impact. The enduring appeal of our music is heartening to see, and I’m deeply grateful to be part of this vibrant community, celebrating the rich tapestry of our musical heritage while embracing new waves of creativity.”
The ceremony can be viewed on BBC iPlayer now.
19th August 2023: Glenfinnan Highland Games
It was a typical West Coast weather afternoon at for the 2023 Glenfinnan Highland Games! However, there was a reasonable turnout of visitors and competitors across all the day’s events, despite the weather, so everyone was pleased.
The Committee thank the Highland Society of London for its continued support in sponsoring the Highland Dancing competitions at the Games, and look forward to keeping in touch over the course of the year in advance of next year’s Games on Saturday 17th August 2024.
2023 prize winners included Molly Anna Smith and Laura Boyle (Adult), Ellie Kilfedder (12-15) and Caitlin McBain (11-15).
