Aberdeen has been unveiled as this year’s host location for the 2025 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards – the biggest award ceremony celebrating Scotland’s traditional music scene – as nominations open today.
Taking place on Saturday 6th December, the ‘folk Oscars’ as they are fondly known, will showcase and applaud those at the heart of Scotland’s homegrown music community.
Nominations are open until Sunday 19th October, and the public are being called on to put their favourite musicians, venues, events and organisations forward for recognition.
Among the 22 categories, awards that are up for grabs include Album of the Year, Musician of the Year, Venue of the Year, Festival of the Year, Music Tutor of the Year, and more.
Previous winners include some of Scottish music’s biggest names including Julie Fowlis, Skerryvore and the late Rab Noakes. A special award will also be awarded to a local hero who has made an invaluable contribution to Aberdeenshire cultural life.
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Hosted by Alistair Heather and Mary Ann Kennedy, the night in the Granite City will also welcome live performances from some of the brightest lights on the thriving trad scene today including singer Hannah Rarity, UK folk legends The Poozies, trad pop band Mec Lir and BBC Radio scotland Young Traditional Musician and Scots Performer of the Year Ellie Beaton.
Assynt piano player Rory Matheson will lead his Scottish Dance Band, while young musicians from Plockton Music School and Orkney youth project Hadhirgaan will also have the chance to perform.
Always a spectacular night, the event was last held in Aberdeen in 2019. Tickets for what is the most significant awards ceremony within Scotland’s folk and trad scene are on sale now.
Scots Trad Music Awards organiser Simon Thoumire said: “We’re thrilled to bring the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards back to the vibrant city of Aberdeen this year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent, creativity and passion that make our trad music community so special. The awards are a safe and welcoming space for everyone in our community, providing an opportunity for us to come together, reflect on the moments that have defined the last year and look ahead at what else we want to achieve.
“From the musicians and tutors to the venues and festivals, these awards shine a spotlight on the people and places that showcase one of Scotland’s greatest assets: its music. As the scene continues to grow and inspire, we are deeply grateful for the support of our sponsors whose contributions make this celebration possible. We can’t wait to see the nominations roll in and to welcome everyone along.”
Aberdeenshire singer Ellie Beaton, who has already had an award-winning year picking up BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year and Scots Performer o the Year awards in 2025, added: “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. The MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards are such a wonderful celebration of the incredible talent and creativity in Scotland’s traditional music scene. 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.”
The event is delivered by Scottish cultural advocacy organisation Hands Up For Trad and made possible with funding and support from Creative Scotland and MG ALBA. Category sponsors include VisitScotland, Isle of Barra Distillers, PRS for Music, Youth Music Initiative and the Highland Society of London.
The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will take place at Aberdeen Music Hall on Saturday 6th December 2025. The awards will be broadcast on BBC ALBA from 9pm.
