BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2025 WINNER
Photo by Alan Peebles
Singer Ellie Beaton (22) from Aberdeenshire, is the winner of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2025.
Broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC ALBA on Sunday 2 February, the evening saw six young traditional musicians compete for the coveted title at Glasgow’s City Halls.
Originally from the small village of Rothienorman, Ellie was brought up immersed in the deeply rooted traditions of the North-East of Scotland and is well acquainted with the rich and vibrant Aberdeenshire styles of singing. Her music has taken her across the UK and Europe, performing at festivals such as Celtic Connections and Festival Interceltique de Lorient. A recent graduate of Classical Vocal Studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Ellie became the youngest recipient of the MG Alba Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year in 2021 and plans on releasing her debut album in 2025 whilst working towards a Masters degree.
Ellie said “I am delighted to have won this prestigious title – it’s an incredible recognition. This award has been instrumental in supporting young talent in Scottish traditional music and I feel so privileged to be counted among the inspiring past winners.”
Presenter Joy Dunlop said “All tonight’s finalists gave exceptional performances. It was an honour to present this award to Ellie, who thoroughly deserves the prestigious title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2025. She gave an outstanding performance, and we hope this accolade allows Ellie’s traditional music career to continue to go from strength to strength.”’
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the BBC Radio Scotland award is renowned as one of the most sought-after platforms for up-and-coming talent in traditional music. Ellie joins an esteemed roster of past winners, including singer, mandolin and guitar player Calum McIlroy, pianist Amy Laurenson, fiddler Eryn Rae, pianist Michael Biggins, piper Ali Levack, and singer Hannah Rarity.
Ellie competed alongside five other talented musicians, including:
Laura Penman – Clarsach
Initially introduced to the clarsach at a Gaelic primary school in Edinburgh, Laura went on to study on the BMus Traditional Music course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Laura has performed at festivals including Celtic Connections and The Scots Fiddle Festival and has recently formed a Gaelic song band called Duan as well as an all-female band with fellow RSC students called Dàna.
Miguel Girão – Guitar
A recent graduate of the BMus Traditional Music course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Miguel has been immersed in traditional music for over a decade. Born in Portugal, Miguel completed his first degree in classical guitar performance at Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa before moving to Scotland to pursue his traditional music studies further. His way of playing combines techniques like strumming, flatpicking and fingerpicking and has classical, traditional, jazz and contemporary influences.
Noah Scott – Piano
Noah first learned traditional music through listening to recordings and picking up the tunes by ear. Born in France, Noah moved to Glasgow aged 14 to pursue his interest in Scottish traditional music. He went on to study at the National Centre for Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton and at Juniors at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before joining its Traditional Music degree course. Recently, Noah formed a Clarinet and Accordion duo CaN Dubh with Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul.
Clelland Shand – Accordion
A student of the BEd Music Course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Clelland grew up with traditional music listening to his grandad playing his two-row button box for him as a child in Dunfermline. Beginning accordion lessons aged 8, Clelland learned a variety of different genres including Scottish, Irish & French traditional music. Along with his younger brother & sister, Clelland formed a band called The Shands and has played various gigs throughout the country including BBC Radio Scotland’s Take The Floor and the All Scotland Accordion & Fiddle Championships. Recently, The Shands were awarded the Up & Coming Artist of the year at the 2023 MG ALBA Music Awards.
Roo Geddes – Fiddle
Roo first became involved with traditional music aged 11 at Alasdair Fraser’s fiddle camp on the Isle of Skye. The first ever violinist in the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Jazz Department, Roo joined the RCS initially in their Juniors and last year completed his Masters degree. Roo from Glasgow is kept very busy with his many musical projects including his duo Roo & Neil, the Americana trio Awkward Family Portraits, and his band Jonny Mac and the Faithful.
As well as winning the prestigious title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2025, Ellie also won a recording session and appearance on Radio Scotland’s ‘Travelling Folk’, an opportunity to perform at the Scots Trad Music Awards, and one year’s membership of Musicians Union.
For 25 years, the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician award has celebrated Scotland’s vibrant traditional music scene and been a springboard into the industry for so many young traditional musicians.
