Eden Court wins venue of the year at Scots Trad Music Awards held in Inverness
Inverness held the most prestigious night in Scotland’s traditional music calendar on November 30.
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards showcased the exceptional talent and achievements within the trad music scene over the past year as Inverness Leisure was transformed into a glittering hub of celebration bursting with talent from across Scotland.
Eden Court took home venue of the year, whilst Cultarlan Inbhir Nis was given the hero of heroes award.
Attended by more than 1,000 musicians and industry supporters and hundreds of trad fans, and watched live on BBC ALBA by thousands more, the 22nd edition of the awards saw 116 nominees whittled down to 26 winners, selected by 25,000 members of the public and a panel of expert judges.
Organised by Hands Up For Trad and launched in 2003, The Trad Awards, or ‘Na Trads’, celebrate musicians, bands, and industry professionals who have made significant contributions to Scotland's cultural heritage.
For the first time in a decade it has been held in Inverness, the event represents the ambition, passion and determination of all those who have enriched Scotland's vibrant musical landscape over the last year.
The 2024 winners are:
Album of the Year
The Waiting Room by Eamonn Nugent
Event of the Year
Skipinnish at Edinburgh Castle
Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year
Beth Malcolm
Club of the Year
Ardersier International Folk Club, Moray
Community Project of the Year
Fèis air an Oir
Composer of the Year
Alec Dalglish
Gaelic Singer of the Year
Emma MacLeod
Live Act of the Year
Niteworks
Music Tutor of the Year
Douglas Montgomery
Musician of the Year
Ciorstaidh Beaton
Original Work of the Year
Ar Cànan 's ar Ceòl by Trail West
Scottish Dance Band of the Year
Pure Scotch Ceilidh Band
Scottish Folk Band of the Year
The Paul McKenna Band
Scottish Pipe Band of the Year
Skye Youth Pipe Band
Trad Music in the Media
Crùnluath / Piping Sounds with Michael Steele & Ewen Henderson
Up and Coming Artist of the Year
Falasgair
Venue of the Year
Eden Court, Inverness
This year’s event saw the introduction of a new award: Gaisgich na Gàidhlig (Hero of the Highlands).
This new honour seeks to recognise a notable voluntary organisation based in Inverness which is making an invaluable contribution to Gaelic and Highland cultural life. Cherished local Gaelic cultural centre Cultarlan Inbhir Nis was selected as a worthy recipient of the inaugural title.
Album of the Year was this year awarded posthumously and collected on behalf of Eamonn Nugent by his family who paid tribute to his incredible creativity and love of music in what was a moving moment for all in attendance.
Skipinnish’s epic Edinburgh Castle show earned them Event of the Year, while Beth Malcolm picked up Scots Singer of the Year for the second time in her blossoming career and Royal National Mòd double gold medallist Emma MacLeod of Scalpay was crowned Gaelic Singer of the Year.
A number of special prizes were also awarded on the night, selected by a panel of esteemed industry judges, for services to traditional music and culture. These are:
Services to Gaelic Award
Niteworks
The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award
Christine Martin
The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Award
Rab Wilson
A number of stalwarts of the scene who have dedicated their lives to the development of music in Scotland are each year added to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, sponsored by Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
Among this year’s inductees are distinguished Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band leader Richard Parkes MBE, Skye Gaelic singer Anne Martin and influential traditional singer Sylvia Barnes.
The awards also highlighted the accomplishments of those working behind the scenes and throughout the industry’s creative pipeline. Those winners were:
Industry Person of the Year
Gary Innes
Production Company of the Year
Pro Sound
Recording Studio of the Year
Castlesound
Sound Engineer of the Year
Carla Feuerstein
Stage Technician of the Year
John McFarlane
Scots Trad Music Awards organiser Simon Thoumire said: “When you look around the Trad Awards, what you see is resilience in action. Despite not knowing what tomorrow brings, our sector continues to innovate, to create, to find new ways forward.
“This spirit of determination is supported by crucial partnerships. We are incredibly grateful to our hosts in Inverness for their warm hospitality and all those who made coming back to the capital of the Highlands possible.
“To our audiences, artists, nominees and sponsors: thank you. Your support for these awards allows us to promote the strength, creativity and ingenuity of our traditional music and highlight the positive impact it has on the lives of so many.
“Just now our musicians, venues, festivals, and organisations face unprecedented uncertainty. This year, more than ever, we celebrate not just excellence, but resilience. Not just tradition, but innovation. Not just where we've been, but where we're going – together.”
Catriona Hawksworth, Traditional Arts Officer at Creative Scotland said: “Na Trads is always a vibrant celebration of the ongoing innovation and diversity within Scotland's traditional music scene.
“This year is no exception, showcasing an exciting lineup of award winners and performers that highlight the dynamism of our thriving community. The Trad Awards are a fantastic opportunity to come together and honour the dedication and hard work of individuals across all roles within the sector throughout the year.”
Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Raymond Bremner added: “It is a great honour to host the MG ALBA Scots Traditional Music Awards in the Highland Capital. It was last held in Inverness in 2014, and has since grown exponentially over the last ten years. Na Trads returning to the ‘home’ of Gaelic and traditional music is important to Highland Council as its ethos supports our fourth Gaelic Language Plan which has now been approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
“As the first Highland Council Leader who is fluent in Gaelic it’s important to state that our language and culture is not only hugely significant but it is an intrinsic part of our education, environment, economy and our health and wellbeing.
“I would like to thank Highland Council, Inverness Common Good, the UK Prosperity Fund, High Life Highland, Scottish Government and many other organisations for their support. The Na Trads really does provide a focus for awarding and acknowledging our Gaelic language and traditional music which spans many generations. Suas Leis a' Ghàidhlig!”
