AFTER a record 180,000 public votes, MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards announced 2021’s winners as it returned in front of a live studio audience.
The annual gala evening champions top Scottish traditional musicians of all genres in a glittering ceremony, recognising and celebrating the "wealth of talent" in the industry.
The event this year took place at Glasgow’s Engine Works and was streamed live around the world from BBC Alba.
Alan Morrison, head of music at Creative Scotland, said: “This year’s Trad Awards have provided a welcome opportunity to celebrate the individuals and organisations who, online and in person, have kept the flames of our traditional music burning in the darkest of times.
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"Congratulations to each and every one of the winners, from our most respected tradition bearers to the artists whose names are now beginning to create a buzz.
"The range of work done across so many award categories is extraordinary and inspiring. It’s this bigger picture - the momentum that has taken us through lockdown and out the other side - that makes the Trads of 2021 so special and so very important.”
Denise Hill, head of engagement at VisitScotland, said: "This has been another challenging year, during which time we have been able to celebrate exceptional music events - and the skill and ingenuity that has brought them to us - both live and online.
"For visitors to Scotland, our vibrant and exceptional trad music scene has long opened the door to experiencing Scotland’s culture – alive, exhilarating and embraced by Scots of all ages."
Margaret Cameron, commissioning editor and head of Creative Collaborations, said: “Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners – every year, it’s an absolute pleasure to see the amazing wealth of talent coming up through the ranks and gaining recognition for their creativity and commitment to the Scottish traditional music scene.
"MG Alba is proud to continue to support these artists, who have been put to the test over the past 18 months, and to help acknowledge the most innovative and exciting ways they contribute to the trad music scene.”
Featuring performances from Imar, Daimh, Hannah Rarity, The Canny Band, The Strathspey Band, Kim Carnie and Ellen MacDonald, and the Gary Sutherland Scottish Dance Band, the highly regarded annual Awards give recognition to excellence within Scotland's thriving traditional musical culture.
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The awards showcases various aspects of making and playing music from composing, Gaelic song, folk and Scottish dance music to pipe bands and a host of others in between.
Each year sees some of the biggest names in the industry and audiences join to honour singers, instrumentalists, composers, and songwriters, including the prestigious Gaelic singer of the year, and musician of the year awards.
Anna-Wendy Stevenson, senior lecturer and programme leader, said: “As the music industry re-groups and adapts after the disruption of the pandemic it is crucial that we celebrate and showcase the incredible talent that drives the music industry and connects communities in a myriad of ways.
"The University of the Highlands and Islands is delighted to continue to sponsor the Musician of the Year Award and recognise the importance of the MG ALBA Scots Traditional Music Awards, in bringing together organisations across music in Scotland to support the development of and recognise the work and talent of our musicians.”
The winners of the twelve MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2021 are:
Original Work of the Year sponsored by PRS for Music
Calum MacPhail - 7 Years Old
Community Project of the Year sponsored by Greentrax Recordings R
Riddell Fiddles’ Two Towns Housing Estate Youth Musical Outreach
Programme Event of the Year sponsored by VisitScotland
Celtic Connections
Gaelic Singer of the Year sponsored by The Highland Society of London
Kim Carnie
Musician of the Year sponsored by The University of the Highlands and Islands
Iona Fyfe
Online Performance of 2021 sponsored by Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust
Norrie "Tago" MacIver
Live Streams Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year sponsored by Traditional Music and Song Association
Ellie Beaton
Trad Video of the Year sponsored by Threads of Sound
Doddies Dream - Bruce MacGregor
Trad Music in the Media sponsored by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
Ceol is Cradh (Mental health in musicians’ documentary) (BBC Alba)
Up and Coming Artist of the Year sponsored by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
The Canny Band
Music Tutor of the Year Award sponsored by Creative Scotland's Youth Music Initiative
Craig Muirhead, Director of Piping and Drumming at Strathallan School
Album of the Year sponsored by Birnam CD
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