Scotland’s Finest Shine at MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024 | World Music Central

(headline image: Skipinnish perform at Trad Awards 2024, Inverness)

The 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, Scotland’s premier celebration of traditional music, honored outstanding talent at a dazzling event in Inverness. Held on St. Andrew’s Day at Inverness Leisure, the ceremony marked a milestone in Scotland’s cultural calendar, highlighting achievements from across the trad music community.

With over 1,000 attendees, including musicians, industry professionals, and fans, and a live broadcast on BBC ALBA, the 22nd edition of the awards spotlighted the best in the field. Out of 116 nominees, 26 winners were chosen through public voting and expert evaluation by a judging panel.

Since its inception in 2003, the event, organized by Hands Up For Trad and affectionately known as “Na Trads,” has celebrated artists, bands, and industry leaders who contribute significantly to Scotland’s rich musical heritage.

Returning to Inverness for the first time in a decade, the awards reflected the ambition and creativity of Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene.

The 2024 winners are:

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

Club of the Year, sponsored by Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd
Ardersier International Folk Club, Moray

Community Project of the Year, sponsored by Isle of Barra Distillers
Fèis air an Oir

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

Music Tutor of the Year, sponsored by Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative
Douglas Montgomery

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 Dance Band of the Year, sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs
Pure Scotch Ceilidh Band

Scottish Folk Band of the Year, sponsored by Threads of Sound
The Paul McKenna Band

Scottish Pipe Band of the Year, sponsored by National Piping Centre
Skye Youth Pipe Band

Trad Music in the Media, sponsored by Glasgow Caledonian University
Crùnluath / Piping Sounds with Michael Steele & Ewen Henderson

Up and Coming Artist of the Year, sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Falasgair

Venue of the Year sponsored by MacGregor’s Bars
Eden Court, Inverness

This year’s event saw the introduction of a new award:

Gaisgich na Gàidhlig (Hero of the Highlands)
Cultarlann Inbhir Nis

This new honor seeks to recognize a notable voluntary organization based in Inverness which is making an invaluable contribution to Gaelic and Highland cultural life. Cherished local Gaelic cultural center Cultarlan Inbhir Nis was selected as a worthy recipient of the inaugural title. The award is supported by The Highland Council.

Album of the Year was this year awarded posthumously and collected on behalf of Eamonn Nugent by his friends and family who paid tribute to his incredible creativity and love of music in what was a moving moment for all in attendance.

Other notable awards include Live Act of the Year which, following a series of spectacular final shows saw Skye legends Niteworks take the title for the first time.

Skipinnish’s epic Edinburgh Castle show earned them Event of the Year, while Beth Malcolm picked up Scots Singer of the Year for the second time in her blossoming career and Royal National Mòd double gold medallist Emma MacLeod of Scalpay was crowned Gaelic Singer of the Year.

A number of special prizes were also awarded on the night, selected by a panel of distinguished industry judges, for services to traditional music and culture. These are:

Services to Gaelic Award, sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Niteworks

The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award, sponsored by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland
Christine Martin

The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Award, supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland
Rab Wilson

A number of supporters of the scene who have dedicated their lives to the development of music in Scotland are each year added to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, sponsored by Fèisean nan Gàidheal.

Among this year’s inductees are distinguished Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band leader Richard Parkes MBE, Skye Gaelic singer Anne Martin and influential traditional singer Sylvia Barnes.

The awards also highlighted the accomplishments of those working behind the scenes and throughout the industry’s creative pipeline. Those winners were:

Industry Person of the Year
Gary Innes

Production Company of the Year
Pro Sound

Recording Studio of the Year
Castlesound

Sound Engineer of the Year
Carla Feuerstein

Stage Technician of the Year
John McFarlane

Scots Trad Music Awards organizer 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.

“Just now our musicians, venues, festivals, and organizations face unprecedented uncertainty. This year, more than ever, we celebrate not just excellence, but resilience. Not just tradition, but innovation. Not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going – together.”

Catriona Hawksworth, Traditional Arts Officer at Creative Scotland shared: “Na Trads is always a vibrant celebration of the ongoing innovation and diversity within Scotland’s traditional music scene. This year is no exception, showcasing an exciting lineup of award winners and performers that highlight the dynamism of our thriving community. The Trad Awards are a fantastic opportunity to come together and honor the dedication and hard work of individuals across all roles within the sector throughout the year.”

Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner said: “It is a great honor to host the MG ALBA Scots Traditional Music Awards in the Highland Capital. It was last held in Inverness in 2014, and has since grown exponentially over the last ten years. Na Trads returning to the ‘home’ of Gaelic and traditional music is important to Highland Council as its ethos supports our fourth Gaelic Language Plan which has now been approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

“As the first Highland Council Leader who is fluent in Gaelic it’s important to state that our language and culture is not only hugely significant but it is an intrinsic part of our education, environment, economy and our health and wellbeing. I would like to thank Highland Council, Inverness Common Good, the UK Prosperity Fund, High Life Highland, Scottish Government and many other organizations for their support. The Na Trads really does provide a focus for awarding and acknowledging our Gaelic language and traditional music which spans many generations. Suas Leis a’ Ghàidhlig!”

Margaret Cameron, Director of Content at MG ALBA, stated: “The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are a highlight of Scotland’s cultural calendar and it was wonderful to see them return to Inverness for the first time in a decade. As headline sponsor, MG ALBA is proud to support this celebration of the remarkable talent and hard work that drives Scotland’s traditional music scene. Congratulations to Hands Up For Trad on organising such a fantastic event, and to all the nominees and winners, whose achievements were rightly recognized and celebrated. Broadcasting the ceremony on BBC ALBA, including a world-wide stream, iPlayer catch-up and short form digital content, ensures these incredible moments reach a wide audience, showcasing the richness of our culture at home and internationally.”

Craig Collin, Senior Manager at Shure UK, expressed: “We are proud to be sponsoring Live Act of the Year and are privileged to be involved in the wider Na Trads movement. Being here in Inverness with all the nominees, winners and supporters has been amazing and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It’s been great to meet and chat with so many talented musicians and dedicated followers of the Trad Scots Music scene. Congratulations to all the winners of tonight’s awards and we are already looking forward to next year!”

A diverse lineup captivated audiences in Inverness, featuring Hebridean-born singer and musician Julie Fowlis, renowned globally for her award-winning talent; Skipinnish, celebrating their 25th anniversary; and 2024 BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Calum McIlroy.

The event also presented performances by Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, a tribute to bothy ballad legend Joe Aitken by Aberdeenshire folk singer Ellie Beaton and Scott Gardiner, and energetic sets from young talents such as the Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers. An Dannsa Dub brought the night to a lively close with their dynamic performance.

Support from Creative Scotland, Inverness Common Good Fund, Highland Council (via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund), and the Scottish Government made the event’s return to the Highlands possible. The awards, hosted by Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, were broadcast live on BBC ALBA and are available to watch on BBC iPlayer or via bbc.co.uk/alba. For more information, visit www.scotstradmusicawards.com.

Author: World Music Central News Room

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