Inverness will welcome the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday, November 30, marking a decade since the last ceremony was held in the city. The previous event was particularly memorable for us, as we were nominated in the ‘Trad Music in the Media’ category under our former name, Folk Radio. That evening felt like a grand celebration for the Scottish traditional music community, unlike any other award ceremony I’ve attended since.
As the BBC remains quiet about their annual Folk Awards, last held in 2019, the Scots Trad Music Awards continue to thrive after 24 years, thanks to Hands Up For Trad’s ongoing efforts to promote traditional music and culture through talent development, education, and advocacy.
This year’s event coincides with St. Andrew’s Day, and tickets are now available. Nominations for the 21 categories will open on Monday, September 30.
The awards last took place in Inverness in 2014, and this return promises to be a true celebration of Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene over the past year. The Highlands event is supported by Creative Scotland, the Inverness Common Good Fund, Highland Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Scottish Government, and MG ALBA. Sponsors for various categories include VisitScotland, PRS for Music, Youth Music Initiative, and the Highland Society of London.
This year, a special new award, the Gaisgeach na Gàidhealtachd (Hero of the Highlands), will honor a local organization or individual who has significantly contributed to Highland cultural life.
An impressive lineup is set to perform, including Julie Fowlis and her band, renowned worldwide for their award-winning talent. Julie’s daughter, Aoibhe Doorley, will also join the talented Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers for a remarkable performance.
Skipinnish will close their 25th anniversary year at the ceremony, showcasing their powerful Celtic sound, while BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2024, Calum McIlroy, and other acts like An Dannsa Dub, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, and Aberdeenshire folk star Ellie Beaton will also take the stage.
Julie Fowlis expressed, “Hands Up for Trad have been championing traditional Scottish music for years now, and the awards play a pivotal role in showcasing the exciting work being done by artists across the country and beyond. It’s vital to highlight the importance of traditional arts in Scotland and celebrate not just the performers but also the educators and organizations working tirelessly behind the scenes.”
The awards will recognize and celebrate the contributions of various industry figures, with public voting opening on October 28 and winners announced during the event. Categories include Album of the Year, Musician of the Year, Up and Coming Artist, and many more.
Simon Thoumire, organizer of the Scots Trad Music Awards, remarked, “There’s no better date to celebrate the best of Scottish traditional music than St. Andrew’s Day in Inverness. We can’t wait to shine a spotlight on the industry’s top talents as the scene continues to grow in popularity despite challenges.”
Cllr Raymond Bremner, Leader of The Highland Council, added, “I am absolutely delighted that this prestigious event is coming to the Highlands. It will showcase the best traditional talent from across Scotland and provide a boost to local businesses.”
Cllr Calum Munro, Chair of Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee, said, “It is a pleasure to host the Scots Trad Music Awards again after a decade. I’m pleased that funding has been secured to enable this key event in Inverness.”
Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer at Creative Scotland, stated, “The Trad Awards are always a joyous occasion, celebrating Scotland’s traditional music and honoring the winners while highlighting the breadth of talent across the sector. Creative Scotland is proud to support the awards and welcome them back to Inverness.”
Margaret Cameron, MG ALBA Director of Content, noted, “Hands Up For Trad have curated an amazing lineup for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. We’re proud to be the title sponsor and look forward to celebrating the winners live on BBC ALBA.”
Stuart Fleming, Senior Manager at PRS for Music, commented, “Hands Up for Trad ensures our talented community of writers and composers within the Scottish traditional music scene is championed every year. We are proud to support this vital platform that showcases Scotland’s rich musical culture to a global audience.”
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will take place at Inverness Leisure Centre on St. Andrew’s Day, Saturday, November 30, 2024, and will be broadcast on BBC ALBA at 9 PM.
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