Scots Trad Music Awards 2003

Hands up for Trad, in association with The Queen's Hall Edinburgh and BBC Scotland Interactive, are delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural 'Scots Trad Music Awards'. The aim of the Awards is to celebrate Scotland's rich musical heritage and in doing so, create a high profile annual event to bring traditional music centre stage.

The first Awards ceremony and concert took place at The Queens Hall on Saturday 13th September, 2003 (read the press release). The Awards encompassed Scotland's thriving traditional music scene from Gaelic and Scots song, folk music, Scottish dance to pipe bands and more. (read background)

The Awards were divided into 15 categories, each with four nominations. The nominees in each category have been chosen by a panel of Scots traditional music experts drawn from across the country. (Read the running order)

Hands up for Trad and BBC Scotland Interactive encouraged the public to vote online for their chosen nominees online at the BBC Celtic Roots website. Those without web access could telephone 0800 8492317 (FreePhone) for a voting form.

Take part in this year's Scots Trad Music Awards.

Best Album - sponsored by Birnam CD 1. Skyedance - Alasdair Fraser and Paul Machlis 2. A' Jock Tamson's Bairns - Jock Tamson's Bairns 3. Cliar - Cliar 4. An Sireadh Spors - Dr Angus MacDonald Winner: Cliar

Best Scots Singer - sponsored by TMSA 1. Rod Paterson 2. Sheena Wellington 3. Dick Gaughan 4. Karine Polwart Winner: Karine Polwart

Best Gaelic Singer - sponsored by Macmeanmna 1. Ishbel MacAskill 2. Karen Matheson 3. Arthur Cormack 4. Cathie Ann MacPhee Winner: Karen Matheson

Best Instrumentalist - sponsored by Temple Records 1. Gordon Duncan 2. Phil Cunningham 3. Aly Bain 4. Tony McManus Winner: Phil Cunningham

Best Scottish Dance Band - sponsored by Nat. Assoc. of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs 1. The Occasionals 2. Alasdair MacCuish and the Black Rose Ceilidh Band 3. Gordon Shand 4. Colin Dewar Winner: Alasdair MacCuish and the Black Rose Ceilidh Band

Best Pipeband - sponsored by The National Piping Centre 1. Vale of Atholl 2. Shotts and Dykehead 3. Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band 4. Scottish Power Winner: Scottish Power

Best Folk Band - sponsored by Living Tradition 1. Silly Wizard 2. Shooglenifty 3. Capercaillie 4. Deaf Shepherd Winner: Capercaillie

Best Festival - sponsored by Visit Scotland 1. Celtic Connections 2. Shetland Folk Festival 3. Jura Folk Festival 4. Mussleburgh Festival Winner: Celtic Connections

Best Club - sponsored by Foot Stompin' Celtic Music 1. Stirling Folk Club 2. Edinburgh Folk Club 3. Shetland Accordion Club 4. The Star Folk Club Winner: Shetland Accordion Club

Best Live Act - sponsored by Musicians Union 1. Boys of the Lough 2. Battlefield Band 3. Fiddlers Bid 4. Blazin' Fiddles Winner: Battlefield Band

Best Up and Coming Artist/ Band - sponsored by Wellington Consultancy 1. Emily Smith Band 2. Dochas 3. Back of the Moon 4. Give Way Winner: Back of the Moon

Radio/TV Show of the year - sponsored by Foot Stompin' Celtic Music 1. Travelling Folk 2. Celtic Connections 3. Reel Blend 4. Late Junction Winner: Travelling Folk

Retailer of the year - Sponsored by Highlander Music 1. Coda Music, The Mound, Edinburgh 2. Folk Revolutions, Glasgow 3. HMV 4. Virgin Winner: Coda Music

Media Award - Sponsored by Greentrax 1. Rob Adams, The Herald 2. Sue Wilson, Sunday Herald 3. Living Tradition 4. Box and Fiddle. Winner: Living Tradition

Services to Traditional Music - Sponsored by Greentrax Posthumously awarded to Hamish Henderson and thereafter known as "The Hamish Henderson Award"

Other sponsors are The Queen's Hall, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Arts Council.

For more reviews and info check out BBC Celtic Roots.

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