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Inverness confirmed as host of MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards for first time in a decade





Skipinnish will be appearing on stage. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Skipinnish will be appearing on stage. Picture: James Mackenzie.

Inverness will play host to the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards for the first time in a decade this autumn, it has been confirmed.

The awards will return to the Highland capital for the first time since 2014 on Saturday, November 30, with the ceremony set to celebrate and showcase Scotland’s flourishing traditional music scene.

The single most important awards ceremony for folk and trad musicians, bands and artists, the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards have become the gold standard for industry achievement.

The event was created and is delivered by Hands Up For Trad – an organisation which stands at the forefront of Scotland's cultural landscape, promoting both traditional music and culture for the last 24 years, through talent development, education and advocacy.

Tickets for the much-anticipated event at Inverness Leisure Centre are on sale now and nominations across the event’s 21 categories are open from Monday next week, with the public then getting the chance to vote for the shortlisted nominees from October 28.

An outstanding line-up of talent is set to take to the stage over the course of the evening, with audiences treated to performances from an array of huge names including the Hebridean-born and Highland-based singer and musician Julie Fowlis and her band, whose award-winning talent is recognised the world over.

The event will be a family affair for Julie as her daughter Aoibhe Doorley joins the talented line up of Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers also putting on a fantastic performance for Inverness audiences.

Skipinnish will take to the stage also, rounding off their 25th anniversary year in a fitting fashion.

Performances will also come from BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2024 Calum McIlroy, party-starters An Dannsa Dub, the inimitable duo of Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, and Aberdeenshire folk star Ellie Beaton.

Categories at the awards include Album of the Year, Musician of the Year, Scottish Pipe Band, Up and Coming Artist, Venue of the Year, Community Project of the Year, Music Tutor of the Year, Photographer of the Year, and Venue Technician of the Year.

The event will also be marked with the introduction of a special new award. The Gaisgeach na Gàidhealtachd, which means Hero of the Highlands, award will be bestowed upon a notable local organisation or figure who has made an invaluable contribution to Highland cultural life.

Scots Trad Music Awards organiser Simon Thoumire said: “There is no better date to be celebrating the very best in our Scottish traditional music scene than St. Andrew’s Day and no better location than the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.

“We can’t wait to return and shine a spotlight on the industry’s best and brightest from the past year, as the scene continues to weather a difficult cultural landscape and grow in popularity. I would like to express how grateful we are for the support of Creative Scotland, MG ALBA, Highland Council, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Scottish Government and all of our category sponsors, for their recognition of the value the awards bring to the sector and host region – what we do wouldn’t be possible without their contributions.

“We’re thrilled to share the jam-packed line-up of talent performing at this year’s ceremony, as well as to launch tickets for the event. Na Trads, as they are affectionately known, are an unmatched opportunity for fans of traditional music to be part of the genre’s biggest celebration, and to see its stars perform live and be awarded for their outstanding contributions. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Inverness Leisure Centre this November.”

Leader of The Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “I am absolutely delighted that this prestigious event in the calendar of Scottish and Traditional Music is coming to Highland. Not only will it showcase the very best of traditional talent from across the country, for Highland artists this will mean a great deal to have the ceremony once again on our own doorstep. It will also be a welcome boost to local businesses, hotels, and restaurants.”

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will take place at Inverness Leisure Centre on St. Andrew’s Day, Saturday, November 30. The awards will be broadcast on BBC ALBA from 9pm.

Tickets are on sale now at https://tickets.highlifehighland.com/events/highlifehighland/1374627. Nominations will open Monday and run until Sunday, October 13 at projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmusicawards.

The ceremony’s return to the Highlands is made possible with funding and support from Creative Scotland, Inverness Common Good Fund, Highland Council via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Scottish Government and MG ALBA. Category sponsors include VisitScotland, PRS for Music, Youth Music Initiative and the Highland Society of London.


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