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News > Scotland’s folk stars in running for top honours as MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards shortlist revealed

Scotland’s folk stars in running for top honours as MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards shortlist revealed

Paisley 2017 Na Trads

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards have unveiled the 2026 list of nominees, with trailblazing folk acts, much-loved festivals, rising stars and unsung heroes of the scene all up for recognition.

An impressive roll call of talent representing the best of the best in Scotland’s thriving traditional music scene sees 94 nominees in the running for sought-after awards across 21 categories.

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards, or Na Trads, reach their 24th edition and will this year be held at Paisley Arena on Saturday 5 December at a glittering ceremony broadcast live on BBC ALBA. 

Dubbed the ‘folk Oscars’, the night recognises the extraordinary creativity, talent and passion powering Scotland’s traditional music community.

The public are invited to have their say on who comes out on top, with voting open now until Sunday 15 November at www.scotstradmusicawards.com.

The nominees are:

Album of the Year, sponsored by Birnam CD

Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year, sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland

Club of the Year, sponsored by Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd.

Community Project of the Year, sponsored by Isle of Barra Distillers

Composer of the Year, sponsored by PRS for Music

Event of the Year, sponsored by VisitScotland

Gaelic Singer of the Year, sponsored by Highland Society of London

Industry Person of the Year, sponsored by An Aird Events

Live Act of the Year, sponsored by SHURE

Music Tutor of the Year, sponsored by the Scottish Government’s Youth Music Initiative through Creative Scotland

Musician of the Year, sponsored by University of the Highlands and Islands

Original Work of the Year, sponsored Musicians’ Union

Scottish Dance Band of the Year, sponsored by National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs

Scottish Folk Band of the Year, sponsored by Threads of Sound

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

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

Venue of the Year

Beyond the public vote, a trio of awards are decided on in advance by an esteemed panel of judges. This year, the Services to Gaelic Award, sponsored by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, this year goes to An Comunn Gàidhealach Chair Maggie Cunningham, while The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award is awarded to the late folklorist Ian Russell. 

Renowned Scots singer and traditional music advocate Sheena Wellington has received The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Award, supported by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

A series of production awards also recognise those helping bring Scotland’s traditional music to the masses, all sponsored by Paul McGeechan Mixing and Mastering. The production award nominees are:

Trad Music in the Media

Recording Studio of the Year

Record Producer of the Year

Sound Engineer of the Year

Scots Trad Music Awards organiser Simon Thoumire said: “It’s been another outstanding year for Scottish traditional music as it continues to evolve, surprise and inspire, while staying true to the communities and traditions that make it so special. It’s always heartening to see the nominations flood in across so many areas of the scene and to see what people have been creating, sharing and doing for traditional arts in Scotland over the last 12 months. 

“All of the nominees are worthy winners and reflect the best of the tradition, congratulations to each of them. Now it’s over to the public, they can have their say and decide who comes away with a trophy. Na Trads haven’t been held in Paisley since 2017 so we can’t wait to be back in such a culturally rich town to celebrate.”

Tony Kearney, MG ALBA Director of Content and Audiences: “As headline sponsor of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, we are delighted that the awards will once again be shown live on BBC ALBA, bringing this celebration of Scotland’s traditional music to audiences across Scotland and beyond. The live broadcast is an opportunity to share the exceptional talent, creativity and ambition of this vibrant community. Through our longstanding partnership, MG ALBA is proud to help bring their music, voices and stories to a wider audience.”

Hosted by Mary Ann Kennedy and Alistair Heather, Na Trads also showcase a host of incredible live performances on the night, with the public able to buy tickets to attend and see their favourite stars up close. Performing in Paisley will be Live Act of the Year nominee Valtos, last year’s Album of the Year winner Sian, Orkney quarter Gnoss, folk fusion act Spodo Komodo, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2026, Rachel Groves and performers from Renfrewshire’s Fèis Phàislig.

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are organised by Hands Up For Trad and made possible with funding and support from Creative Scotland and MG ALBA. 

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will take place at Paisley Arena on Saturday 5 December 2026 and broadcast from 9pm on BBC ALBA.

Voting is open until Sunday 15 November at www.scotstradmusicawards.com. Tickets are on sale now at https://renfrewshireboxoffice.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173677168.