Congratulations to Valtos who has / have been nominated in Live Act of the Year sponsored by SHURE in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for Valtos 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 Jen of Valtos the following questions.
Tell us about yourself
Valtos are Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald, a duo from the Isle of Skye who blend traditional Gaelic and Highland music with electronic production. We played our first shows in December 2021, and on stage we’re a six piece with Lana Pheutan, Eilidh Cormack, Finn MacPherson and Euan McLaughlin. The live show is the heart of what we do: we want a room full of people dancing to music that has its roots in the islands. We also tour High Water Mark, a DJ and live fiddle set, alongside the full band shows.
Any particular career highlights?
– Performing a 75 minute set at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony at the OVO Hydro in July 2026, with collaborators from across the Commonwealth.
– Releasing our second album, The Last Light, in April 2026, launched with a sold out show at the Barrowland, and then moving on to o2 Academy Glasgow this December and so many of our UK headline dates selling out.
– Receiving the Sound of Scotland Award at this year’s Scottish Music Awards at the Barrowland.
– Playing on the pitch at Murrayfield to 67,000 people before Scotland’s match against France, and then getting to celebrate a Scotland win.
– The Last Light being longlisted for the SAY Award.
– Reaching the finals of BBC Introducing Scottish Act of the Year and being included in The List Hot 100 in 2024.
– Playing High Water Mark at the top of Cairngorm Mountain (filmed by BBC for Valtos Aig a’ Mhullach)
– Our High Water Mark sold out UK and Ireland tour this year
What are your plans for the future?
This December we’re on a UK album tour, with most dates already sold out, including a Valtos & Friends headline show at the O2 Academy Glasgow. We’re also playing the Scottish Music Awards at the Barrowland in November. In 2027 we’ll be playing festivals across the UK and Europe, touring High Water Mark, and heading back out on a full band tour in September. We've also got lots of new music coming both as Valtos and High Water Mark.
Valtos Social Media
Website: https://www.valtosband.co.uk/
Facebook: @valtosband
Instagram: @valtosband
YouTube: @valtosband
TikTok: @valtosband
Listen to music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6gh1HzdxwTgfznOANixjNQ?si=I8G8hRhlQHOPSuiawR1sZQ
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.