Scots Trad Music Awards 2005

With more than 60,000 votes cast by the public the Scots Trad Music Awards 2005 were announced at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on Saturday 3rd December. Culture Minister, Patricia Ferguson MSP, opened the awards and also made presentations to the six performers inducted into the newly created Hall of Fame. Ms Ferguson said: “Traditional Scottish music is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world - it is an export Scotland can be truly proud of and it’s influence stretches far and wide, across cultures and musical genres.”

The third Trad Music Awards, sponsored by McEwan’s, received 20,000 more votes than last year for the 62 nominations in 17 categories.   Organiser, Simon Thoumire noted that: “Courtesy of the internet we have received votes from all over the world including countries such as USA, New Zealand, Canada, Russia and Uruguay.” 

Voting was conducted by postal ballot and online voting in conjunction with BBC Scotland’s Celtic Roots website (www.bbc.co.uk/celticroots) and media sponsors, The Scotsman.

Performers at the awards included Blazin' Fiddles, Maggie MacInnes Band, Jim Malcolm, Plockton National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, Kirkwall City Pipe Band, Stuart Cassells, TMSA Young Trad Musicians (featuring all the finalists of the 2005 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award), Anna Massie Band and The Occasionals.

The Trad Music Awards were presented by Mary Ann Kennedy and Iain Anderson and supported by the Scottish Arts Council. The Scottish Arts Council is the lead body for the funding development and advocacy of the arts in Scotland. Richard Holloway, Chairman, Scottish Arts Council: “The Trad Music Awards are a celebration of the vibrant talent which exists in the traditional music scene in Scotland today.”

See a full list of the winners on BBC Scotland’s Celtic Roots website (www.bbc.co.uk/celticroots)

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council