Congratulations to Roddy MacKay who has been nominated in Production Award: Industry Person of the Year in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2024. Vote for Roddy MacKay now!. It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 30th November in Inverness Leisure. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Roddy of Roddy MacKay the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
I am the founder of the Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) in Benbecula. EDF has now been going for 7 years and was this year named as the Cultural Event of The Year at the Thistle Awards.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I want to give young musicians a chance to perform on the big stage alongside established musicians that they can mix with in a Green Room situation and glean as much information from them as possible. I want to preserve the culture and heritage of the islands while at the same time giving as many people as possible the opportunity to progress their careers and build their confidence.
Any particular career highlights?
Our biggest highlight to date was probably launching the careers of Peat & Diesel and seeing them grow into the phenomenon that they have become. It's the very reason i started the festival and shows that if people are given an opportunity it can indeed change their lives. They have also made Gàidhlig song trendy again which is an absolute win win on so many levels. Bringing the likes of the Vengaboys onto the same stage as Trail West and Beinn Lee was also a surreal experience!!
What are your plans for the future?
My plans are to continue to promote the youth scene and give as many opportunities as possible to local musicians and performers to achieve their dreams. It is so important to support the youngsters from as early as possible to build their confidence and show them that their culture is important and that they can go far with a bit of encouragement.
Roddy MacKay Social Media
Website: http://www.edffestival.com
Facebook: @edffestival
Twitter: @
Instagram: @edf_festival
YouTube: @
TikTok: @
The 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 30th November 2024 in Inverness Leisure Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here). Watch it live in the UK at 9pm (GMT) on BBC ALBA and and around the world here. Bands performing on Saturday 30th November include Julie Fowlis, Skipinnish, Laura Wilkie and Ian Carr, Highland Young Musicians and Arc Fiddlers, An Dannsa Dub, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award winner 2024 Calum McIlroy and more!
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish trad music and musicians why not become a friend of Hands Up for Trad. In addition to our high profile events like the Scots Trad Music Awards, we also deliver a less well known, education programme for young people from 8yrs right through to young adults at the start of their careers. Read more here.
