“The public tended to think that we all wore woollen jumpers and long beards, while in reality, the scene was full of young people having a great time and making beautiful music.”
This is the core belief that drove organiser Simon Thoumire to found the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards over two decades ago. Now, as the “Folk Oscars” prepare for a spectacular return to the Aberdeen Music Hall on Saturday, 6th December 2025, that vision of a glamorous, modern, and thriving scene is undeniable.
The 2025 nominees have been unveiled, featuring superstars like Skerryvore, Mànran, and Brìghde Chaimbeul alongside a new generation of trailblazing talent. With public voting now officially open, the power is in the hands of the fans to decide who takes home the coveted trophies from a shortlist of around 100 nominees across 22 categories.
Hosted by Scottish personalities Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night in the Granite City—last held there in 2019—promises to be a defining moment for a scene that is visibly levelling up, selling out arenas and topping charts.
“The public tended to think that we all wore woollen jumpers and long beards, while in reality, the scene was full of young people having a great time and making beautiful music.”
Simon Thoumire
From ‘Woollen Jumpers’ to a ‘Folk Oscars’
The event’s glamorous reputation is entirely by design. When Thoumire first launched the awards, he had a clear goal: to reframe the public’s perception of traditional music.
“I felt that trad music did not have the best image at the time,” Thoumire reveals. “The idea behind the Scots Trad Music Awards was to create something that would promote our music and also let the public and media see us the way we wanted to be seen.”
His solution was simple but effective: “I made the decision to ask everyone to dress up in their finest and we would make an event that the public would recognise—something similar to the Oscars.”
That glitzy, celebratory atmosphere is now a hallmark of the awards, providing a “safe and welcoming space,” as Thoumire puts it, for the entire community to celebrate the moments and artists that defined the year.
A Homecoming for the Granite City
The return to Aberdeen is particularly special for one of the night’s performers, Ellie Beaton. The Rothienorman native, who has had a phenomenal 2025 winning both the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year and Scots Performer o the Year awards, is also nominated for the prestigious Citty Finlayson Scots Singer of the Year award.
“Being from Rothienorman, I’m absolutely thrilled to return to my home city and play at such a well-loved venue for musicians across Aberdeen and the Shire,” Beaton said. “It feels really special to be part of an event that’s so close to home and to share the stage with so many inspiring artists.”
Beaton joins a stellar performance lineup that includes beloved singer Hannah Rarity, UK folk legends The Poozies, and the explosive trad-pop band Mec Lir. Assynt piano player Rory Matheson will lead his Scottish Dance Band, and the next generation will be showcased by young musicians from Plockton Music School and Orkney youth project Hadhirgaan.
The Class of 2025: Who’s in the Running?
The 2025 nominee list reads like a who’s who of modern Scottish music, highlighting the sheer breadth and quality of the scene.
The coveted Album of the Year category is a testament to this diversity, with 10 outstanding records nominated:
- Anna Bhàn by Mairearad Green & Rachel Newton
- araon by Sian
- Fable by Ainsley Hamill
- Folkmosis by Beth Malcolm
- Her By Design by Jenn Butterworth
- In Terra’s Keep by TRIP
- Lèirsinn – Perception by Ewen Henderson
- Pool by Ross Ainslie
- Sunwise by Brìghde Chaimbeul
- To the Wind by Mànran
Competition is equally fierce in the Scottish Folk Band of the Year category, with Blazin’ Fiddles, Breabach, Dallahan, and Kinnaris Q all vying for the top spot. The Live Act of the Year shortlist features four of the most dynamic touring acts today: Malin Lewis Band, Skerryvore, Talisk, and Valtos.
“The idea behind the Scots Trad Music Awards was to create something that would promote our music and also let the public and media see us the way we wanted to be seen.”
Reflecting the scene’s growing scale, the Event of the Year category includes massive arena shows like Skipinnish at the Hydro and Skerryvore XX at Floors Castle, as well as international showcases like Scotland’s Hoolie in New York.
Other hotly contested categories include Musician of the Year (Graham Mackenzie, Isla Ratcliff, Lorne MacDougall, Ryan Young, Siobhan Miller) and Up and Coming Artist of the Year (Astro Bloc, Dàna, Lussa, Magnus Turpie & Friends).
Honouring the Scene’s Architects
Alongside the publicly voted awards, the evening will honour several individuals whose lifelong contributions have shaped the cultural landscape.
A panel of industry judges has selected this year’s special prize recipients. The Services to Gaelic Award will be presented to Gaelic education authority Boyd Robertson. Former TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) director David Francis will receive The Hamish Henderson Services to Traditional Music Award. Acclaimed actress, director, and writer Gerda Stevenson will be presented with The Janet Paisley Services to Scots Language Award.
A further group of cultural icons will also be inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame at a special reception.
‘The Public Come Out in Their Thousands’
While the industry honours its titans, Thoumire stresses that the awards’ engine room is the public.
“The public vote for the winners,” he states, “and it’s brilliant that the public come out in their thousands to vote and get to have their say.”
This engagement is crucial for the artists. As Siobhan Anderson, Music Officer at Creative Scotland, notes: “This is a crucial opportunity for the public to support and champion their favourite artists, events and organisations for these career-defining accolades. Awards like this are invaluable to artists, opening doors to future opportunities.”
This symbiotic relationship between artists, organisers, and the public has fuelled the scene’s incredible growth—a fact not lost on long-term sponsor MG ALBA.
“Each year, the Scots Trad Music Awards remind us just how rich, innovative and far-reaching Scotland’s traditional music community has become,” said Margaret Cameron, MG ALBA Director of Content. “As longstanding sponsors, MG ALBA is proud to stand alongside this creative movement… keeping Gaelic and Scotland’s culture alive and thriving.”
For Simon Thoumire, who has watched the event grow from an idea into a national institution, the “Folk Oscars” are a source of immense pride and countless memories.
“There has been so many fine moments. I remember being so excited for the first awards in 2003 and that folk turned up in the first place… Ellie Beaton and Scott Gardiner last year remembering Joe Aitken was a highlight as the whole room sang along! So many memories and special moments.”
Featured Image: Trad Awards launch 2025, Aberdeen: Paddy Callaghan, Ellie Beaton and Tomàs Callister.
How to Vote and Get Tickets
Public Voting: Voting is open to the public from now until Sunday, 16th November 2025. You can cast your vote at: www.scotstradmusicawards.com
Event Tickets: The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will take place at the Aberdeen Music Hall on Saturday, 6th December 2025. Tickets are on sale now at: www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
Broadcast: The awards will be broadcast on BBC ALBA from 9pm on December 6th.
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