{"id":11377,"date":"2026-11-02T07:47:25","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/?p=11377"},"modified":"2026-11-02T07:47:25","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:47:25","slug":"mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards-2026-blazin-fiddles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/mg-alba-scots-trad-music-awards-2026-blazin-fiddles\/","title":{"rendered":"MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026: BLAZIN' FIDDLES"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Congratulations to BLAZIN' FIDDLES<\/strong> who has \/ have been nominated in Album of the Year\tsponsored by BirnamCD in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for BLAZIN' FIDDLES now!<\/a><\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We asked Jenna of BLAZIN' FIDDLES<\/strong> the following questions.<\/p>\n

Tell us about yourself<\/strong>
\nTake the finest exponents of their native Scottish fiddle styles, the finest backing in folk music, and some of the Highlands and Islands\u2019 famed warmth and craic\u2026 distil for over 25 years, and you get Blazin\u2019 Fiddles!<\/p>\n

One of the most lauded and best-loved acts of the Scottish music scene, from the moment the multi award-winning Blazers take the stage to whisk you on a thrilling musical journey, you\u2019re in the finest of company. The mastery of fiddle virtuosos, Jenna Reid (Shetland), Kristan Harvey (Orkney) and Rua Macmillan (Highlands), grounded by the second to none, driving accompaniment of Angus Lyon (piano) and Anna Massie (guitar), will leave you reeling.<\/p>\n

For over a quarter of a century, no other band has quite captured Scottish fiddle music\u2019s variety, energy and sensitivity like Blazin\u2019 Fiddles. Atop many musical twists and turns, the group\u2019s quicksilver playing is matched by lightning sharp humour and uproarious stories from their many tunes and travels. Whatever the hall \u2013 whether of the Royal Albert or highland village variety \u2013 they\u2019ll turn it into the liveliest and warmest of hootenannies.<\/p>\n

Any particular career highlights?<\/strong>
\nBlazin\u2019 Fiddles are one of Scotland\u2019s best-known traditional music groups, renowned for showcasing the distinctive fiddle styles of the Highlands and Islands. Formed in 1998 by Inverness musician Bruce MacGregor, the band has spent more than 25 years performing internationally, releasing albums and promoting Scottish traditional music.
\nFormation and musical vision \u2014 1998
\nFounded by Bruce MacGregor to showcase the diversity of Scottish regional fiddle traditions.
\nOriginally conceived as a one-off project bringing together leading fiddle players from different parts of the Highlands and Islands.
\nThe success of the initial performances led to the group becoming a long-running ensemble, recognised for combining regional fiddle styles with energetic ensemble playing and contemporary arrangements.
\nMajor awards and recognition
\n2013: Won the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Award for Folk Band of the Year, recognising their contribution to Scottish traditional music.
\n2018: Nominated for Album of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
\n2019: Nominated for Folk Band of the Year.
\n2025: Nominated again for the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, demonstrating their continued prominence in the Scottish traditional music scene. <\/p>\n

Prestigious performances and international touring
\nThe band\u2019s career has included performances at major concert halls and international festivals, including:<\/p>\n

Royal Albert Hall, London, including appearances associated with the BBC Proms.
\n Celtic Connections, Glasgow, one of the UK\u2019s leading winter music festivals.
\n Celtic Colours International Festival, Cape Breton, Canada.
\n Lorient Interceltic Festival, Brittany, France.
\n Ortigueira Festival, Spain.
\n Colours of Ostrava, Czech Republic.<\/p>\n

Performances and collaborations with Karen Matheson, Justin Currie, Eddi Reader and many more! <\/p>\n

Their touring has brought Scottish fiddle music to audiences across Europe, North America and beyond, spanning major festival stages and smaller community venues. <\/p>\n

Almost 30 years of a sold out music school every year in the Highlands, Blazin' in Beauly is an incredible experience for every fiddler!<\/p>\n

What are your plans for the future?<\/strong>
\nBlazin\u2019 Fiddles\u2019 future plans focus on continuing to tour, releasing new music, reaching new audiences and inspiring the next generation of traditional musicians. In their 2025 interview with Hands Up for Trad, the band highlighted their ambition to keep sharing Scottish traditional music with audiences worldwide, developing new projects and encouraging young musicians to pursue their musical ambitions.
\nKey future plans and developments
\nNew music: The band launched their latest album, Incendo, at Celtic Connections in Glasgow in January 2026. It marks a new chapter for the group following founding member Bruce MacGregor\u2019s departure from touring.
\nTouring and festivals: They plan to continue performing throughout Scotland and internationally, bringing their distinctive interpretation of Scottish regional fiddle traditions to established and new audiences.
\nMusic education: Their ongoing teaching activities, including Blazin\u2019 in Beauly, provide opportunities for musicians to develop their playing through professional tuition and shared musical experiences.
\nInspiring future generations: The band has expressed a commitment to encouraging emerging musicians to develop their skills, pursue their ambitions and contribute to the future of Scottish traditional music.<\/p>\n

BLAZIN' FIDDLES Social Media<\/strong>
\nWebsite: http:\/\/www.blazinfiddles.com<\/a>
\nFacebook: @Blazin'Fiddles
\nInstagram: @blazin_fiddles<\/p>\n

Listen to music: http:\/\/blazinfiddles.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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, F\u00e8is Ph\u00e0islig, Spodo Komodo and BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Rachel Groves and many more!<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/strong>. 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Congratulations to BLAZIN' FIDDLES who has \/ have been nominated in Album of the Year sponsored by BirnamCD in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2026. Vote for BLAZIN' FIDDLES 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11378,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11377","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nominee-2026","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/files\/2026\/10\/Blazers-Logo.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11377","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11377"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11379,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11377\/revisions\/11379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/projects.handsupfortrad.scot\/scotstradmusicawards\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}