Tribute to Doddie Weir, Celtic Connections, Iona Fyfe and Kim Carnie honored at Scots Trad Music Awards

Nicola Benedetti has teamed up with many figures from the traditional Scottish music scene to record the ‘Doddie’s Dream’ tribute to the former internationalist’s campaign efforts.

Now the project, which was started by Highland fiddler and broadcaster Bruce MacGregor and recorded remotely across Scotland, has won one of the top prizes at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.

Doddie’s Dream, which included MacGregor’s band Blazin ‘Fiddles and members Capercaillie, Mànran, Breabach, Skerryvore, The Chair, Talis, Treacherous Orchestra and Session A9, took home the Video of the Year award after a second year in which the industry has been hit hard by festivals and tours hit hard by Covid restrictions.

A powerful BBC documentary Alba – Ceol is Cradh – presented by Hebridian singer Mischa MacPherson who explored the mental health challenges suffered by some of Scotland’s foremost traditional musicians was awarded in the media category.

Celtic Connections Music Festival in Glasgow, which was named Event of the Year, was honored for an online-only edition that brought bands and musicians to venues across the city to create over 30 different concerts .

Hebridean singer Norrie ‘Tago’ MacIver has been honored for Best Online Performance for his regular concerts broadcast from his home.

The awards, also known as ‘Na Trads’, were held in front of a live audience for the first two years in two years at The Engine Works in Glasgow and broadcast live on BBC Alba.

Singer Iona Fyfe, one of the country’s leading Scottish language activists, who persuaded Spotify to grant her official recognition, has been named Musician of the Year.

Oban-born Kim Carnie, who recently joined Mànran festival favorites, was named best Gaelic singer, while Ellie Beaton was named Scottish singer of the year.

Orcadian singer Kris Drever won the Best Album award for ‘Where The World Is Thin’, The Canny Band was named Best Upcoming Artist and Craig Muirhead was crowned Best Tutor.

Allan MacDonald, one of Scotland’s foremost Gaelic pipers and figures, received the Hamish Henderson Serices to Traditional Music Award.

Derrick McClure was honored for his services to the Gaelic language, while Derrick McClure was honored for his services to the Scottish language.

The awards ceremony included performances by Dàimh, Imar, The Strathspey Band, Kim Carnie and Ellen Macdonald, The Canny Band, Hannah Rarity, the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the Gary Sutherland Scottish Dance Band.

Alan Morrison, head of music at Creative Scotland, a major funder of the awards, said: Music sizzling in the darkest moments.

“The range of work done in so many award categories is extraordinary and inspiring. It’s that big picture – the momentum that got us through containment and the other side – that makes the 2021 trades so special and so important.

Denise Hill, Head of Engagement at the National Tourism Agency of VisitScotland, said: “It has been another difficult year, in which we have been able to celebrate exceptional musical events – and the skill and ingenuity that brought them to us – both live and online.

“For visitors to Scotland, our vibrant and exceptional traditional music scene has long opened the door to exploring Scottish culture. She is lively, exhilarating and adopted by Scots of all ages.

“Virtual music events have brought this feeling to living rooms around the world. We look forward to welcoming them back to Scottish events and festivals before too long ”.