Congratulations to Dàna who has / have been nominated in Scottish Folk Band of the Year sponsored by Threads of Sound in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for Dàna now! It’s going to be another great night at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 5th December in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre. Why not join us for a brilliant night of music and awards. Buy a ticket here.
We asked Laura of Dàna the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Dàna are an all-female, traditional folk band based in Glasgow. Their name, derived from the Gaelic word meaning "bold" or "audacious," perfectly captures their vibrant sound and approach to performance. They have swiftly made a name for themselves in Scotland’s rich musical scene, winning a Danny Kyle award at Celtic Connections and Up and Coming Artist of the Year at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2025.
Founded by a group of musicians who met and honed their craft at
the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Dàna features a traditional
blend of fiddle, clarsach, whistle, and piano. Each member contributes
their individual style and influences, drawn from their diverse regional
backgrounds and dialects, creating a sound that is both rich and
exciting.
Dàna have quickly established a strong presence in
the Scottish music scene. They have performed at several prominent
festivals and events, including Celtic Connections, The Reeling, MOKFest, and Under Canvas. These appearances have showcased their ability to captivate and energise audiences, solidifying
their reputation as one of Scotland’s most exciting new acts.
In May 2026, they released their debut album, ‘The Deep End’ which
gained glowing reviews and radio play across the UK. They toured the album across Scotland, performing at festivals including The Edinburgh International Festival, Belladrum and Hebcelt.
Any particular career highlights?
Winning Up and Coming Artist of the Year at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2025 was a huge milestone for us as a band, and has led on to so many other wonderful opportunities.
We released our debut album, 'The Deep End' this year, and the response we have had to it has been brilliant. A highlight from our tour was performing one of the tracks on the album,
'Blackford Hill', with Nicola Benedetti at the Edinburgh International Festival.
What are your plans for the future?
We have loved the various collaborative projects we have been a part of so far, including working with singers and Breton musicians, and would like to continue exploring new projects, as well as building on our local and international connections.
We hope to return to the studio in the near future to record and release some new music, and continue performing the music we love across Scotland and beyond!
Dàna Social Media
Website: https://www.dana-band.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80Mzc2MjYzMTY5NzM3ODgAAR6ViI3pvKQ2eR0PIvqsXz-es9Azr-v42XxlhZ0gfJ8VNagum1VD4ZFtYz44Jg_aem_hY8QXc78yf9Gl3ef-PYfDA
Facebook: @danaceol
Instagram: @danaceol
YouTube: @danaceol
TikTok: @danaceol
Listen to music: https://danaceol.bandcamp.com
The 2026 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards are on the 5th December 2026 in Paisley Arena, Lagoon Centre! You will be able to watch it live in person (buy a ticket here).
Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night will welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including Valtos, Gnoss, Sian, Fèis Phàislig, Spodo Komodo and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Rachel Groves 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.