Congratulations to Ryan Young who has been nominated in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2025. Vote now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 6th December in Aberdeen Music Hall. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Ryan of Ryan Young the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Ryan Young brings new and exciting ideas to traditional Scottish music, receiving international praise for his spell-binding interpretations on the fiddle. His debut album was recorded with four time GRAMMY winner Jesse Lewis (who has worked with the likes of Bela Fleck and Yo Yo Ma) and launched at Feakle Traditional Music Festival in County Clare, accompanied by renowned guitarist, Dennis Cahill (Martin Hayes; The Gloaming). Ryan was nominated for Album Of the Year at the 2024 MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards; Live Act Of The Year at the 2023 Awards, and for Musician Of The Year at the 2022 Awards.
Ryan brings new life to very old, often forgotten tunes by playing them in his own unique way. He sings through the fiddle and his playing is often described as poetry without words. Ryan’s music is brimming with fresh melodic ideas, an uplifting rhythmic drive and a great depth of dynamics and precision. His sound is very distinctive and takes the listener on an emotional and adventurous journey in any performance. He has toured extensively across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia delighting audiences wherever he goes.
Ryan holds both a first class honours and a Masters degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, was twice a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards, and twice a finalist in the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of The Year. He was awarded ‘Up And Coming Artist Of The Year’ at the Scots Trad Awards in 2017, nominated for the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2018 and awarded Folking.com’s Musician Of The Year title, also in 2018.
Further MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards nominations include Album Of the Year, and Folk Band Of The Year. Ryan Young was also the only UK artist selected to perform at the prestigious World Music conference, WOMEX, in 2019.
“…a force of nature” ***** (5 STARS) The Scotsman
“I have known Ryan for many years and have watched his steady progress from student to accomplished fiddle player. He has created his own unique way of playing and is finding great emotional depth in his native Scottish Music. Ryan Young is an up and coming musician who is gaining more and more well deserved recognition. I feel that he hasthe potential to make a very significant contribution to the Scottish tradition.” – Martin Hayes
“In live performance, Young can appear possessed by his music. This may be a studio recording….but it captures Young in full, zestful flight, crisply accompanied by guitarist Craig Irving. Echoes of Irish mentor Martin Hayes – the swooping lilt and slow burn – can be heard…” ***** (5 STARS) The Scotsman
“Ryan’s music is inflected with a magical, lyrical quality. When he plays he radiates a hypnotic effect that is truly wonderful” – Duncan Chisholm
‘Being a fiddler myself I have heard many, many up and coming fiddlers from Scotland, but I am blown away by this singular musician… Ryan, I feel, is a musician with a great gift. He has followed down a path that is his alone with the music. His playing is unique and soulful. I’ve heard him in concert and can only liken the experience to being lifted and taken on a journey. His playing is at once moving and thrilling, and he sweeps the audience along with him.’ – Liz Carroll 2022
“Hayes has already declared himself an admirer, as has acclaimed Irish- American fiddler Liz Carroll, which pretty much tells you all you need to know about this remarkable musician” – ***** (5 STARS) RnR Magazine
‘Every once in a while a flashing musical comet appears and sweeps everything in its path. This is the case of the young Scottish violinist Ryan Young, virtuoso with precision and inventive playing…’ – Festival No Border, Brest
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
I love Scottish music because of the unique sense of expression inherit to it. It allows for a wide variety of personal interpretation, but remains undeniably traditional music.
Any particular career highlights?
A huge career highlight for me will always be launching my debut album accompanied by the late, great Dennis Cahill who was and always will be one of musical heroes.
What are your plans for the future?
I will shortly be recording my third album which will both be produced and include a collaboration with my fiddle hero, Martin Hayes. This has been my musical dream for as long as I remember.
Ryan Young Social Media
Website: https://ryanyoung.scot
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanYoungFiddle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanyoungfiddle/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RyanYoungfiddle
TikTok:
The 2025 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 6th December 2025 in Aberdeen Music Hall! 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. Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night in the Granite City will also welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including beloved singer Hannah Rarity, UK folk legends The Poozies, trad pop band Mec Lir and BBC Radio scotland Young Traditional Musician and Scots Performer o the Year Ellie Beaton and many 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.