Congratulations to John Lowrie who has / have been nominated in Production Award: Record Producer of the Year sponsored by Paul McGeechan in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for John Lowrie 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 John of John Lowrie the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Originally from Dumfries and now based in Orkney, John Lowrie is an established pianist, percussionist and record producer working across Scotland's folk, traditional and contemporary music scenes.
Since graduating from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2013, John has built a varied career as a touring and recording musician, performing and collaborating with some of the UK's most respected artists, including Kris Drever, Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, Siobhan Miller, Hannah Rarity, Kim Carnie, Blue Rose Code, Phil Bancroft and Paul Towndrow.
Alongside his work as a performer, John has developed a strong reputation as a record producer, collaborating on acclaimed releases with artists including Gnoss, James Duncan Mackenzie and Mairi McGillivray. Notable projects include co-producing James Duncan Mackenzie's Sròmos and producing Mairi McGillivray's debut album Mo Thìr (2026).
Working across a broad range of musical styles, from traditional Scottish music to indie and contemporary folk, John has developed a distinctive approach to performance and production, with a particular interest in creative collaboration.
Any particular career highlights?
A recent career highlight was John's involvement in Canntaireachd, a specially commissioned project for the 2023 Piping Live! festival in Glasgow. Bringing together the contemporary folk collective Staran with acclaimed Gaelic singers Kathleen MacInnes and Kim Carnie, alongside pipers Brìghde Chaimbeul and Ailis Sutherland, the project explored the close relationship between traditional piping and Gaelic song. Combining centuries-old melodies, songs and stories with newly created material, the collaboration offered a fresh and atmospheric interpretation of Scotland's musical heritage. The project premiered at Piping Live in August 2023, as part of the festival's 20th anniversary celebrations and it's international premiere is scheduled for 2027.
What are your plans for the future?
I'd like to continue working with like-minded musicians and artists, both as a performer and producer, and to keep developing creatively through new collaborations and projects. Ultimately, my aim is to continue making and releasing music that I'm genuinely proud of, while challenging myself to explore new ideas and approaches.
John Lowrie Social Media
Website: http://www.johnlowriemusic.com
Instagram: @johnlowriemusic
Listen to music: https://staran.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.