MG ALBA SCOTS TRAD MUSIC AWARDS 2008 NOMINATIONS
You can vote here.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY BIRNAM CD

Farrar:  Duncan Chisholm: Copperfish Records: CPFCD003
Duncan Chisholm’s fiddle playing is one of the most sensitive and beautiful sounds today. He delivers exquisite tone, technique and control, shaping these slow airs and song tunes, mostly of Gaelic provenance and many self-penned. This is Duncan's third album and a classic.

Elevate: Fiona MacKenzie: Linn Records AKD407
Although a large part of Fiona's musical background draws upon her Gaelic culture, she has always taken an interest in music from other genres.  Co-produced by The Blue Nile producer Calum Malcolm, traditional acoustic instruments and electronic elements blend to create a forward-thinking music that remains rooted in heritage.

Starfish: Catriona McKay: Glimster Records GLIMCD02
Harpist Catriona McKay’s debut solo album confirms her high standing among those in the harp world. Her experimental approach to sound is beguilingly contemporary, but her melodic and rhythmic approach maintains clear connections with her roots in traditional music.

Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seòid: Mary Ann Kennedy & Na Seòid: Watercolour Music WCMCD033
Na Seòid (The Heroes) is Mary Ann Kennedy's gathering of a seven-strong ensemble showcasing today's finest young male Gaelic talent. Featuring James Graham, Calum Alex MacMillan, Tormod MacArthur, and Gillebrìde MacMillan, Norrie MacIver, Griogair Lawrie, and Angus MacPhail. Traditional Gaelic song from some of the finest voices of a new generation.

CLUB OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY LIVING TRADITION MAGAZINE

Campsie Accordion and Fiddle Club
Campsie Accordion and Fiddle Club is a popular club which meets at the Glazert Country House Hotel, Lennoxtown the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. The club extends a warm welcome to visiting musicians, and enthusiasts of accordion and fiddle can enjoy an excellent evening of entertainment at this club.

Haddington Accordion & Fiddle Club
Haddington Accordion & Fiddle Club meets Oct – April in The Railway Hotel, Court Street Haddington. The club, which has been established for a number of years, was awarded the accolade ‘Best in Scotland’ in a national poll of enthusiasts. The club afternoons are compered by Bobby Colgan and attract a full house for their monthly Sunday sessions. They provide a platform for performers from far and near and feature a guest star of national repute. Everyone associated with the club is delighted with its success.

Denholm Folk Club
The folk club is based in the beautiful Borders village of Denholm, Roxburghshire. The meeting place for the club is the Auld Cross Keys, a picturesque hotel overlooking the village green. Sessions and guest nights take place on the second Thursday of each month. Start time for the folk club is 8:30pm, and the local nights and guest night are free entry (all welcome - performers especially welcome).

The Wee Folk Club, Edinburgh
The Wee Folk Club meets in the Royal Oak, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh every Sunday at 8:30pm. It is probably the smallest folk club in the world with a capacity of only 30.  Every year during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe the Wee Folk Club hosts a month-long nightly programme of folk music. This wonderful wee folk club and festival is run by the inimitable Paddy Bort. The Royal Oak is also an excellent session venue throughout the week.

COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY BBC RADIO SHETLAND

The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society have been dancing and developing the country dances of Scotland for over 80 years. It has a word-wide network of "branches" and affiliated groups, with an office in Edinburgh. Members form branches, and these branches run classes (particularly for beginners) and social events for their members and the general public in their particular area. The Society organises national and international events on a regular basis and runs schools in Scotland and elsewhere to bring Scottish dancing within the reach of anyone and everyone, whatever their age or ability.

Wrigley Sisters’ Centre of Music
The Wrigley Sisters’ Centre of Music, in Kirkwall, Orkney, started in 2004. Run by noted musicians Jennifer (fiddle) and Hazel (guitar, piano), the centre has a complement of 19 tutors teaching some 600 students, with around 70 percent of the latter aged under 20.today incorporate. As well as the Reel’s busy daytime trade, it serves as a meeting-place for a number of community and youth music groups, including the Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society, and has become an important social and networking hub for local music musicians.

Ceolas
Ceòlas is a wonderful music and dance summer school featuring expert tuition in piping, fiddling, singing, step dancing and the Gaelic language. Under the artistic direction of Iain MacDonald, it is set within the Gaelic-speaking community of South Uist. Ceòlas explores the vital connections between Scottish traditional music, Gaelic song and dance, allowing ample opportunity for participants to enjoy all these art forms in cèilidhs and in homes, the places which fostered them. This approach leads to a fuller appreciation of the riches of individual traditions, and how they connect and interact with each other.

Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin
The main focus is on a 4 day event during the Easter school holiday break  which offers children from Primary 5 up to Secondary 6 the opportunity to have a great time and enjoy Scottish music through a series of workshops and classes. Participants can be complete beginners or experienced players. Lots to choose from with excellent, experienced tutors. Edinburgh Youth Gaitherin also runs a series of workshops throughout the year.  The group is a wing of Edinburgh's Scots Music Group.

DISTIL COMPOSER OF THE YEAR

Blair Douglas
The Skye based musician and composer is internationally acclaimed, with musical compositions such as Kate Martin's Waltz and Solus m'Aigh that have resonated across the globe and across the genres, Blair Douglas released his fifth studio album Stay Strong in June 2008. Blair is still, in many ways, Gaelic culture’s best kept secret.

Sandy Wright
With an ITV documentary Gold Fever, and a Channel 4 drama "Gamerz" under his musical belt Sandy's songs have been on TV, in a movie, on the airwaves and recorded by Gina Rae, Kris Drever, Sophie Bancroft, Niki King and Aberfeldy to name a few. Now with his own band, he is set to perform his own songs and release his first album.

Adam Sutherland
Adam is the fiddler with the groups The Peatbog Faeries and Session A9. Fellow musicians love his brilliant tunes many of which have passed into the session scene including Road to Errogie which has also been recorded by artists such as Sharon Shannon and Troy MacGillivray. The 2008 Session A9 CD Bottlenecks and Armbreakers include five of Adam's compositions.

James Ross
Wick born pianist and composer James Ross studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, and graduated with a BA in Scottish Music in 2000. Noted for his beautiful playing and creative settings of traditional and contemporary tunes, he premiered his Blas 2008 commission, Chasing the Sun in September this year. Written for Ross himself on piano, the McFalls Chamber string quartet and Fraser Fifield's soprano saxophone, whistles and smallpipes, the piece depicted a journey along the north coast of Caithness and Sutherland.

EVENT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY VISITSCOTLAND

Gordon Duncan Memorial Concert
“A National Treasure” – “A Celebration of the Music of Gordon Duncan” in Perth Concert Hall was the first event organised by The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust to pay tribute to the music and memory of piper and composer Gordon Duncan who died aged 41 in December 2005. Gordon was one of the most skilled and innovative bagpipers the piping art has ever known and an inspiration and role model for a whole generation of pipers across the world. The concert featured artists Dougie MacLean, Session A9, Kris Drever, Duncan Chisholm, Maggie MacInnes, Jock Duncan, Allan MacDonald, Ross Ainslie , Jarlath Henderson, Ali Hutton, Gerry O'Connor, Sylvain Hamon, Xose Manuel Tejedor, National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, The Atholl Highlanders Pipe Band. "... here was confirmation - if any were needed - of tribute being paid to a national treasure."..Rob Adams..The Herald

The Jura Music Festival
The Jura Music Festival takes place each year on the last weekend in September and is now a well established favourite for lovers of the traditional music scene. Friday night features a concert of music performed by island residents, with bands from outside performing on Saturday and Sunday. It’s a weekend packed with fantastic performances, stimulating workshops, spontaneous sessions and great craic.

Piping Live! Festival
Over the last few years, Piping Live! has established itself as one of the most exciting celebrations of Scottish culture, offering a refreshing twist on traditional piping events. A week long event that makes Glasgow the centre of the world stage for piping brilliance, it is exciting and challenging, traditional and contemporary and very much alive. The Festival fosters both the experimental energy of today's newest talent and the awesome accomplishment of established musicians from across the globe as well as a programme of recitals, talks, competitions and much else.

Shetland Fiddle Frenzy
Fiddle Frenzy is a celebration of the music and musicians that have made Shetland one of the worlds most highly acclaimed fiddle playing regions. A seven-day (and night) event, Fiddle Frenzy offers 'students' from all over the world the opportunity to learn, and immerse themselves in, fiddle music Shetland style with some of our best and most famous tutors and musicians. The festival offer everything from 'absolute beginners' courses, to those aimed at more experienced players.

GAELIC SINGER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY MACMEANMNA

Margaret Stewart
Margaret Stewart is one of Scotland's finest Gaelic singers. She comes from the Island of Lewis, is a native Gaelic speaker and a natural singer from childhood who has also won the accolade of a Gold Medal at the Mod. Margaret has recorded two acclaimed albums with piper Allan MacDonald  and in 2008 her many fans were delighted when Greentrax released her first solo CD,Togaidh Mi Mo Sheolta (Along The Road Less Travelled). "Margaret’s singing comes from her heart, and the knowledge and understanding she has of the oral tradition of the Gael comes through so clearly in her singing"....The Scotsman

Gillebrìde MacMillan
A fine young singer from South Uist, Gaelic is Gillebrìde MacMillan's first language and he was brought up in a Gaelic speaking family and community
Gillebrìde is one of the few people to have won all major prizes at the Royal National Mod as an adult and as a child. He won the Traditional Gold Medal at the 2000 Mod in Dunoon and The Royal National Gold Medal in Perth in 2004. Gillebride's first recording 'Thogainn ort fonn' was released in 2006. He is a member of  the acclaimed Gaelic singing group Mary Ann Kennedy and Na Seoid.

Maeve Mackinnon
Maeve Mackinnon is one of Scotland's foremost young singers. She  is fast making a name for herself in the folkworld with her fresh and contemporary interpretations of traditional Gaelic  songs. Maeve became a learner of Gaelic language and song at the age of 17, and was motivated to study Gaelic song at RSAMD.   Her decision to interpret the songs she learned from tradition bearers including Christine Primrose, Flora MacNeil and Kenna Campbell in her thoroughly modern, very elegant manner is exactly right. In 2007 Maeve released her first CD and was awarded 'Best Up and coming Artist'  at the Scots Trad Music Awards. Maeve performs regularly on national radio and television programmes and has recently completed projects for the new Gaelic digital TV channel.

Griogair Labhruidh
Griogair Labhruidh is a traditional Gaelic singer with a strong expressive voice who sings mainly in the style of the Southern Hebrides. He is also piper and composer of both bagpipe music and Gaelic song/poetry. He draws much of his material from Argyllshire's incredibly rich Gaelic tradition but also has a huge interest in the bardic tradition of South Uist where he has spent most of his adult life so far. As well as having a wealth of traditional material, he also writes original music and his original Gaelic songs have gained much praise from some of the leading experts in the field. Griogair is a member of  the acclaimed Gaelic singing group Mary Ann Kennedy and Na Seoid.

SERVICES TO INDUSTRY AWARD SPONSORED BY SCOTTISH ARTS COUNCIL

Donna Macrae
Donna Macrae (Cunningham), runs her ‘Firefly productions’ company from a base just outside Beauly in Inverness-shire. She has 24 years of experience in the music and media business, including music agency and management for artistes, television production and production management, recording studio administration, Arts project Management and music business training courses for musicians. As well as administering events such as the Highland wide Blas Festival, Donna has represented top musicians Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham exclusively in Scotland since 1988.

Dr. Fred Freeman
Dr Fred Freeman currently Hon Fellow in English at the University of Edinburgh, is the author of a book on the 18th-century Edinburgh poet Robert Fergusson and upwards of 100 articles on Scottish literature and folk music. Over the past decade he has produced (and served as musical director for) over 20 traditional/folk CDs including the highly acclaimed Complete Songs of Robert Burns (12 volumes, 13 CDs, Linn Records), Borders Fiddles, Borders Sangsters, Borders Boxes (Tradition Bearers), A' The Bairns of Adam: A Tribute to Hamish Henderson (Greentrax), several solo CDs of Ian Bruce, Gordeanna McCulloch, Jim Reid and other leading lights of the folk movement in Scotland. He is also working on recording the complete songs of the much neglected song-writer and poet  Robert Tannahill of Paisley.

Arthur Cormack
Also known as the busiest man in the Highlands, Arthur Cormack is the director of Feisean nan Gaidheal, the organisation which supports the development of community-based Gaelic arts tuition festivals throughout Scotland. He is also proprietor of Gaelic recording company Macmeanmna  as well as a one of the finest Gaelic singers of his generation.  Arthur who lives on the Isle of Skye, is a passionate advocate for the Gaelic language and was recently appointed to the position of Interim Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Foot Stompin'
Foot Stompin' is a Scottish music and culture website and CD label based in Edinburgh. Through its lively discussion forum, fortnightly newsletter, music podcasts and information it has created an invaluable resource and gathering place for anyone interested in the Scottish music scene. Foot Stompin' is a family business fronted by musician and industry mover and shaker Simon Thoumire.

INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY TEMPLE RECORDS

Anna Massie
An extraordinarily gifted multi-instrumentalist, Anna Massie (from Fortrose) excels in playing the fiddle, mandolin and tenor banjo. She is also a particularly impressive guitar player - equally at home either accompanying in her unique rhythmic style or flatpicking tunes. As well as leading her own award-winning band, Anna has toured with Donald Shaw, the Karen Matheson Band and, recently her amazing skills saw her invited to join the Kate Rusby Band.

Marc Duff
Marc Duff, currently traditional musician in residence for Falkirk Council, was a founder member of the folk band Capercaillie with whom he has toured and recorded in many countries.  A distinct style of playing has kept him in demand as a session musician and teacher. Since leaving Capercaillie in 1995, he has worked with many prominent artists, playing whistle, low D whistle, bodhran, bouzouki and wind synthesizer. He has toured in Scotland with Dr Fred Freeman, presenting a series of successful workshops in connection with the complete songs of Robert Burns series and has recently been performing with the folk band Deaf Shepherd.

David Milligan
David Milligan is a pianist whose musical imagination flows freely between the traditional airs and dance meters of his native Scotland and jazz improvisation. His interest in traditional & folk music inspired a unique crossover piano style which has featured most prominently in the critically-acclaimed Bachué, with harpist and singer Corrina Hewat, in the duo with concertina virtuoso Simon Thoumire, as a core member of the Catriona Macdonald band, and in the 22-piece folk orchestra The Unusual Suspects. David has earned himself an enviable reputation as one of the UK’s most individual voices.

Kris Drever
As well as a being a rising singing star Kris Drever is an inspired and inventive guitarist. His style - a highly individual blend of rhythm and harmony, folk, jazz, rock and country inflections - finds him in near-constant demand as a session player. Kris is a member of acclaimed band Lau and the trio Drever, McCusker & Woomble.

LIVE ACT OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY GREENTRAX

The Peatbog Faeries
Formed in 1994, Skye's Peatbog Faeries now rank among the veterans of contemporary Celtic fusion, but far from slackening off they're sounding mightier than ever. With their signature sound of fiddle, pipes and whistles allied to electric guitar, bass keyboards and drums, the Peatbogs have always had a large and varied musical palette to draw from, mixing reels and jigs with the colours and rhythms of rock, world and dance music, to headily powerful effect. Since they added a three piece brass section a couple of years ago, their sound has taken on several new dimensions, in terms of both its scale and its multi-layered complexity. And with the nine-piece line-up now fully bedded in, this wealth of fresh possibilities has not only been thoroughly explored, but honed into resplendently slick, taut, intricate arrangements, and one of the best live shows on the current Celtic scene. The Peatbog Faeries are the most pumping, uplifting and exciting Scottish fusion you're ever likely to come across.

Lau
LAU have been described as a formidable union of three of the finest and most innovative exponents of modern traditional music in Scotland today; Lau are Kris Drever (guitar and vocal), Martin Green (piano accordion) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle). In the last year Lau have continued to take the music scene by storm winning the award "Best Group" at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in February and in October being nominated for a Spirit of Scotland Award. Live, however, is when the band really thrill; playing with the kind of dexterity and intensity that drops jaws.

Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson
One of the most thrilling traditional acts to emerge in many years, pipers Ross Ainslie (Border Pipes and whistles) and Jarlath Henderson (Uilleann Pipes and whistles) have blazed a trail to the top of the pile with a string of scorching live performances and the release of their hugely acclaimed debut CD, Partners In Crime. Ross & Jarlath who first started playing together in 2003 at the William Kennedy Piping Festival, have since joined forces to create a pipe sound that pushes the boundaries of what both instruments can achieve together.

Julie Fowlis
Julie Fowlis burst onto the wider music scene in 2006, when she became the first ever Scottish Gaelic singer to win a prestigious BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award for best newcomer. Since then she has won the hearts of audiences around the globe, played every major festival in Britain, showcased in Texas and New York, and is in constant demand as a performer of Gaelic music. The songs she was brought up with in the Hebrides can now be heard just as regularly on more mainstream BBC Radio and other stations throughout the world as they can be at home on Gaelic radio. In 2008 Julie was named Folk Singer of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

CITTY FINLAYSON SCOTS SINGER OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND SONG ASSOCIATION

Mick West
Mick West is considered by many to be one of the foremost exponents of Scottish Folk Song in the World.  He has performed in England, France, Germany, Ireland, Russia, Estonia, Italy and Japan to critical acclaim and has recorded many of Scotland's best loved songs.  Mick West is a traditional singer of great depth and substance.

Fiona Hunter
A member of the band Malinky, Fiona has a particular enthusiasm for the songs of Scottish Travellers, she has been working with members of the Perthshire-based Stewart family, learning her craft first-hand from the last tradition-bearers of this celebrated folksong dynasty. Still only in her early twenties, she has performed extensively around the world, including appearances with former RSAMD course leader and ex-Battlefield Band stalwart Brian McNeill, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

Emily Smith
Multi award winning singer and songwriter Emily Smith has firmly established herself as one of Scotland’s leading lights in folk music through her performances at concerts and festivals around the world. Emily is an advocate for the music of her native Dumfries and Galloway homeland through the material, whether it be traditional or her own songs.  Emily writes, “I try to portray the beauty and diversity of where I come from. I love being able to sing a song and picture the exact setting of where the event took place, or to sing some of Robert Burns’ material and know that he travelled the same roads and admired the same landscapes as I do today.”

Jim Malcolm
Jim is one of Scotland’s finest singer/songwriters.  He was the lead singer of the Scottish band Old Blind Dogs for seven years and is now focusing on his solo singer-songwriter music. With Jim Malcolm you can expect to hear traditional songs and ballads, his own compositions, and compelling stories, told both through singing and on their own. He is also a fine interpreter of material by Robert Burns. “Given the right song, Jim Malcolm will just melt you in your seat.” – The Scotsman.

SCOTTISH DANCE BAND OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ACCORDION AND FIDDLE CLUBS

Graeme Mitchell Scottish Dance Band
Based in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Graeme Mitchell formed his band in 1982.  A typical line-up is Graeme Mitchell and Gordon Duguid: accordion, Brian Cruickshank: Bass Guitar, Duncan Christie: Drums. Fiddle and Piano can be added to become a full six-piece. The band is in great demand for ceilidh dances, weddings, old time dances and accordion club appearances. On a regular basis they play mostly in the North of Scotland but do some gigs in the Edinburgh and Border area. The band have recorded several CDs and Graeme has many fine compositions, most of which are published in the book "Graeme Mitchell's Collection".

George Meikle & the Lothian Dance Band.
Much travelled, much acclaimed, the Lothian Scottish Dance Band led by George Meikle have been playing for dancing for at least 25 years. The band's musical talents are recognized, and requested, throughout the dancing world. One of the features which makes the Lothian Scottish Dance Band so special is their particularly close involvement with the dances, not just the dancing. Careful selection of the appropriate tunes, and a broad working knowledge of the Scottish Country Dance scene give the Lothian Scottish Dance Band the firm foundation upon which they build their very popular tune sets.

Skipinnish
The band "Skipinnish" was formed in early 1999 when accordionist Angus MacPhail from Tiree and piper Andrew Stevenson from Achnacarry joined musical forces. After the formation of "Skipinnish", their popularity snowballed, and they very soon became in demand for festivals, concerts, dances, weddings and many other events throughout the U.K. and abroad. Both Angus and Andrew have a verve and vitality for their music which bursts through the jigs, reels & schottisches. If this music doesn't drive you to the dance floor then nothing will!

Bill Black Scottish Dance Band
Based in Perth, Bill Black has been playing Scottish dance music for more than fifty years and has travelled extensively with his band during that period. He has made many radio broadcasts and recorded lots of CDs. Their style is strict Scottish Country Dancing, Old Time Dancing or Ceilidh Dancing and they are in demand for weddings, dances, concerts and theatre shows. Their brand of Scottish dance music, played with a rich style and a solid enthusiasm, has ensured that the popularity of Bill and the band just goes on and on.

SCOTTISH FOLK BAND OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY FOOT STOMPIN' SCOTTISH MUSIC

Malinky
In 2008 Malinky celebrated their tenth anniversary. While retaining their hallmark song-based repertoire, performed by three superb lead vocalists and arrayed with tastefully inventive instrumentation, Malinky today unite seasoned maturity with sparkling freshness, casting their musical net wider than ever. Given the quintet’s multifarious talents, the vocal tracks are rounded out with a wealth of first-class instrumental work. Malinky are: Steve Byrne (vocals/bouzouki/guitar), Mark Dunlop (vocals/whistles/bodhrán), Fiona Hunter (vocals/cello), Dave Wood (guitar/bouzouki) and Mike Vass (fiddle). The fourth Malinky album Flower and Iron was released in 2008.

The Chair
The 8-strong 'The Chair' from the Orkney Islands set the floor alight with their superb brand of high energy "stomp" music. It's been a busy time for The Chair's eight band -members: Gavin Firth on guitar, Fionn McArthur on fiddle, Bob Gibbon on accordion, Brian Cromarty banjo and vocals, Chas Milne on bass guitar, Erik Laughton on drums, Douglas Montgomery on fiddle and mandolin, and Robbie Thomson on percussion with several festival appearances and the release of their popular first album Huinka (an Orkney Norn word for 'On the Prowl'). The Chair are dynamic, energetic, exciting and innovative.

Session A9
Originally formed by fiddler Charlie McKerron (of Capercaillie fame) as an album project, Session A9 have been thrilling audiences throughout the UK as a top tunes band, earning them the title “Scotland's Supergroup" for their live performances.  The band line-up consists of; Adam Sutherland, Charlie McKerron, Gordon Gunn and Kevin Henderson on fiddles; Tim Edey on melodeon/guitar;  Brian McAlpine on keyboards and David Robertson on percussion. Their second album ‘Bottlenecks and Armbreakers’ was released in 2008.

Breabach
Coming from all different parts of Scotland, the Breabach combination of strong traditional tunes with original arrangements produces a sound that has made them one of the most talked about bands on the Scottish scene. Blending tunes, songs and dance with brilliant musicality, Breabach's essentially Scottish traditional repertoire featuring double bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, song and Scottish stepdance, brings to the stage, flare, excitement and diversity. Breabach are, Calum MacCrimmon (highland pipes, whistles), Donal Brown (highland pipes, whistles, stepdance), Patsy Reid (fiddle, voice) and Ewan Robertson (guitar, voice).

SCOTTISH PIPE BAND OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL PIPING CENTRE

Johnstone Pipe Band
Based in the town of Johnstone Renfrewshire, near Glasgow, the band led by Pipe Major Keith Bowles has two sections which compete on a regular basis with the adult band in Grade 2 and the Juvenile band in Novice.  The Pipe Band was founded by Ex-Provost of Johnstone Burgh, James McKay, in 1942, and has been going strong ever since, wearing the Blue McKay tartan in recognition of its founder.  As well as regularly competing, the band turns out for street parades, and other public events. Spirit of Scotland

Bucksburn and District N/J Pipe Band
It has always been recognised that youth is essential to the well-being and future of the Band. From very early on young players such as Ian Blair, Billy Cruickshank, Billy and Bobby Forrest, John McDougall Jnr, Jock Proud and Alistair Webster, helped provide that valuable mix of youth with experience. A long association with the Boys' Brigade and the Bucksburn Band has resulted in young players being drafted to the band. The 1990's were particularly successful for the Band with numerous prizes being won in the Major contests. The Novice/Juvenile band over the last 3 years has again climbed its way up the Grade over a 3 year period to reclaim the Scottish, British, and World Champions titles in 2008. Runnrs-up at Cowal was enough to be crowned Champions of Champions without travelling to the European Championships in N. Ireland. The Drum Corps also won the Scottish Championships during a very sucessful campaign.

Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band
The Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band is a new Grade 1 pipe band which was formed with the aim of competing at the World Pipe Band Championships in 2008. The idea to form the band was conceived at the Glenfiddich Piping Championships by a number of the participating competitors. It was recognised that there were many excellent pipers and drummers not currently playing with bands and unable to commit to a band on a year round basis that would enjoy the opportunity to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships. Led by Pipe Major Roddy Macleod, the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band qualified for the final of the World Pipe Band Championships by taking 1st and 3rd in piping, 9th in drumming and 3rd in ensemble. An incredible achievement for a band that came together as a unit one week before the contest.

Scottish Power Pipe Band
Scottish Power Pipe Band currently under the leadership of Pipe Major Chris Armstrong are one of the world's leading grade 1 pipe bands having featured as a regular prize-winner in all major competitions over several decades.  Great ambassadors for the piping scene, and voted best dressed pipe band Scottish Power are in constant demand throughout the world, having performed in the US, Canada, Japan and China and many European countries.

UP AND COMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ROYAL SCOTTISH ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND DRAMA

Bodega
Bodega is a young, five piece band drawn from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. They were the winners of the BBC Radio2 Young Folk Band award for 2005/06 and have since gone on to release two CDs. The band has played at most of the prominent UK festivals including Celtic Connections 06,07 and 08 where they shared the stage at a major concert with Moving Hearts. The have toured France, Italy and Norway and had two very successful US tours in 2007. Bodega  are: Gillian Chalmers, pipes and whistle; Ross Couper, fiddle; Tia Files, acoustic and bass guitar; Norrie MacIver accordion, guitar, djembe, vocals; and June Naylor clarsach and piano.

Ailie Robertson
Although just 23 years old, Ailie Robertson  already has some of the most impressive credentials in the Scottish harp world. A 4-time National Mod Gold Medalist, she was also 1st prize-winner at the inaugural London Harp Competition, and best overall musician at the Edinburgh Competition Festival. She has represented Commun na Clarsach for Scotland at the Pan Celtic Festival in Ireland, and in 2005 she was awarded a scholarship from the ESU in recognition of her 'virtuosic clarsach playing', and was a winner of the St Albans New Roots award. She played in the Scottish Harp Orchestra, Na Clarsairean for many years, performing with them at two World Harp Congresses - in Seattle and Prague. Ailie plays with the band 'The Outside Track' and, in 2008, she released her debut solo CD 'First Things First'.

Jeana Leslie & Siobhan Miller
Jeana Leslie from Orkney and Siobhan Miller from Penicuik met while students at the RSAMD. They excel in the vocal department in particular, both in Miller’s lovely lead singing and their beautifully judged harmony vocals, but Leslie is also a fine fiddler. Together, they won the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award 2008. Jeana and Siobhan have gone on to make a CD titled 'In a Bleeze' and to appear at several prestigious festivals.

Catriona Watt
Catriona, a Gaelic singer from the island of Lewis won the title BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2007 after a moving and beautiful performance at The City Halls is Glasgow during Celtic Connections Festival. Catriona got her love of Gaelic song from her grandmother. Since winning the Award Catriona has gone on to form her own band and to record a CD titled Cadal Cuainn. Reviewer Norman Chalmers described Catriona's singing thus “Here is that rare thing, a young Gaelic singer who can beautifully convince in traditional, unaccompanied voice alone."

STRATHSPEY AND REEL SOCIETY OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY

Garioch Fiddlers
The Garioch Fiddlers started out in 1982 with an attendance of 15.  25 years later this Inverurie-based Strathspey and Reel society boasts a membership of over 100. The Musical Director and founder member of the group is Dorothy Ferguson. The group meet every Monday evening, holidays excepted, in the Function Suite at the Kintore Arms Hotel, Inverurie.

Hadhirgaan
Originally started in 1998/99, Hadhirgaan, a group of young musicians from Kirkwall Grammar School in Orkney aged 14-18 is in its third or fourth generation. The group, who play modern and traditional music, along with their own compositions, is led by fiddler Douglas Montgomery. Hadhirgaan play with energy and finesse and produce the sort of rich sound that only a flock of fiddlers can. Hadhirgaan has developed into an exciting young fiddle ensemble driven by a stomping rhythm section created by piano, bass, guitar and bodhran.

Blackford Fiddlers
Based in the little village of Blackford in rural Perthshire, and set up in about 1996 by Pete Cope,  the Blackford Fiddle Group aims to help people of any age to learn to play the fiddle in a traditional style. The group is available for a wide range of events - ceilidhs, parties, weddings, dances and much more. The goal of the group is to enable people to play fiddle tunes competently and confidently so that they can enjoy themselves and entertain other people at social events.  The Blackford Fiddle Group meets almost every Friday evening at the Moray Institute, Blackford from 7.00pm through until about 8.45pm. This is for practice, learning tunes and just playing together. The last 30 minutes is a session for the Ceilidh Band but everyone is welcome.

Scottish Fiddle Orchestra
The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra was formed in 1980, deriving its origins from Fiddlers’ Rallies which were – and are – held throughout the country. After one of these Rallies, a group of enthusiasts met to consider the formation of an orchestra which would draw its members from a’ the airts and would form a cohesive, vigorously rehearsed group of musicians. Since that time the Orchestra has settled into a sequence of five major concerts each year – in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, the Music Hall, Aberdeen, the Barbican, York, and the Barbican Centre, London. A small number of other “special” concerts are also undertaken each year as well as tours to Ireland, Canada and the USA.  All of their concerts are given in aid of one or more charities; over the years these have benefited by a sum well in excess of a million and a half pounds.

VENUE OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY NAVIGATOR RECORDS

Perth Concert Hall
Perth Concert Hall is Scotland’s newest concert hall: it opened in 2005 in Mill Street,  in the centre of the town. Built as a millennium project, Perth Concert Hall has a dazzling glass-fronted foyer and copper-topped dome hall with a stunning auditorium and elegant studio. They have a busy year-round programme of concerts, comedy, dance, musicals, new media art, film, talks, arts workshops and hire out their spaces for conferences and events.

Glenuig Hall
Glenuig Hall was opened on 1st April 1995. Wholly owned and managed by Glenuig Community Association, Glenuig Hall was designed by and for the community. Its unique design and beautiful setting looking out onto Glenuig Bay make it one of the most admired village halls in the Highlands. In recent years the hall has hosted many musical events, including classical, blues, jazz, rock and of course a fine selection of traditional music in the programme. These combined with regular theatrical productions for adults and children and a variety of dances and other children's events have seen Glenuig Hall become one of the busiest in the highlands for promoting artistic, cultural and community events.

The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen
The Blue Lamp, situated at 121 Gallowgate is a pub, near Aberdeen College with a lively atmosphere especially when there's a band on. The pub is only a few minutes walk from the main shopping street in Aberdeen and you'll soon recognise the pub by the 'Blue Lamp' hanging outside. The lounge is a stone floored room with some seating around the edge and a stage at the far end. A good session pub as well as being a regular haunt for musicians in the area.

Heriot Toon Studio
Heriot Toun Studio is a purpose built eco-friendly live/work space in the Scottish Borders. Designed for creative people needing a temporary place to work on a project or run a workshop, or for anyone looking for a creative break in a unique location. It provides a gathering place for collaboration and exchange of ideas across the creative spectrum, be it painters, musicians, sculptors, writers, poets or performing artists. Heriot Toun Studio provides a living space as well as a work space all under one roof with self catering accommodation for up to 4 people and is available for short term lets.

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