Congratulations to Trail West 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 Ian of Trail West the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
An explosive six-piece line-up with strong links to the Western Highlands and Islands, Trail West are a band who continue to rise in popularity from their modest roots as a four-piece West Coast Ceilidh Band to a formidable Live Act worthy of any festival stage.
In 2025, Trail West celebrated their 15th Anniversary with a run of shows throughout Scotland, including the flagship celebration, Trail West Fest, which consisted of two sell-out shows at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom.
Why are you involved in Scottish music?
We were fortunate to grow up around the music, language and traditions of the Western Isles and Western Highlands of Scotland. We have a deep sense of identity with the place we come from and the music associated with the Highlands and Islands.
We love traditional music and, as well as enjoying playing tunes and singing songs, we want to do our bit for the tradition that raised us. We want to bring the excitement and beauty of it to our audiences with high energy concerts and we want to encourage our younger fans to embrace Gàidhlig and traditional music and also to show that the tradition is very much alive and kicking.
Any particular career highlights?
Trail West Fest 2025!
What are your plans for the future?
To continue to produce new music and to grow as a band to perform for bigger audiences across Scotland.
Trail West Social Media
Website: http://www.trail-west.com
Facebook: facebook.com/trailwestband
Instagram: instagram.com/trailwestband
YouTube: youtube.com/trailwest
TikTok: tiktok.com/@trailwest
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.