BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician is an annual competition recognizing emerging talent in Scottish traditional music, organized by BBC Radio Scotland since 2001. Open to musicians aged 18 to 27 who have lived in Scotland for at least one year, the competition culminates in a live final at Glasgow's City Halls during the Celtic Connections festival. The 2026 winner is harpist Rachel Groves from Aberdeenshire, announced on February 1, 2026 and broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Alba. The competition is best suited for young traditional musicians based in Scotland who want professional performance opportunities, recording sessions, and industry exposure.
Submission and Application Details
Applicants must meet three eligibility requirements: be aged between 18 and 27, have lived in Scotland for at least one year immediately prior to the entry date, and perform Scottish traditional music. There is no application fee.
The application process typically opens several months before the Celtic Connections festival (held annually in January or February). Entrants submit recordings of their performances to BBC Radio Scotland. A selection panel reviews submissions and chooses six finalists to compete in the live final.
The 2026 finalists were Calum McGregor (piano and piano accordion, Glasgow), Craig Harrison (fiddle, Ireland), Ewen Rorie (fiddle, Orkney), Gregor Niven (accordion, Glasgow), Rachel Groves (lever harp, Aberdeenshire), and singer Iona Fyfe (Aberdeenshire). Groves won the title, along with a recording session with BBC Radio Scotland, a performance at the Scots Trad Music Awards, a concert at HebCelt 2026 (Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway), and one year of Musicians' Union membership.
Key Benefits and Why It Matters
- Professional career launch: The prize package includes a BBC Radio Scotland recording session, performances at the Scots Trad Music Awards and HebCelt festival, and Musicians' Union membership. Past winners have gone on to establish professional touring and recording careers.
- Celtic Connections platform: The final is held during Celtic Connections, one of the largest winter music festivals in the world, giving finalists exposure to festival bookers, label representatives, and international audiences.
- Live BBC broadcast: The final is broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Alba, providing national radio and television exposure. The 2026 final was presented by Joy Dunlop.
- 25-year track record: Since 2001, the competition has built an esteemed roster of alumni including Hannah Rarity, Ali Levack, Michael Biggins, Eryn Rae, Amy Laurenson, Calum McIlroy, and Ellie Beaton.
Potential Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Strict eligibility: Only musicians aged 18 to 27 who have lived in Scotland for at least one year can apply. Artists outside this age range or based outside Scotland are ineligible.
- Single category: The competition awards one winner per year. Unlike broader awards ceremonies with multiple genre categories, all finalists compete for a single title regardless of instrument or vocal style.
- Traditional music focus: The competition is specifically for Scottish traditional music. Artists working in contemporary, fusion, or non-traditional genres may not be competitive, even if they are strong musicians.
- Competition format: Six finalists compete in a single live performance. The winner is determined by a judge panel on the night, meaning a single performance determines the outcome. Nerves or technical issues on the night can affect results regardless of overall musicianship.
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Award Categories Explained
The BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician competition has a single category:
- Young Traditional Musician of the Year - awarded to one musician or singer aged 18 to 27 who demonstrates outstanding ability in Scottish traditional music. All finalists compete for this single title regardless of instrument or vocal style. The winner is selected by a judge panel based on musical performance, technical skill, and contribution to Scottish traditional music.
There are no sub-categories by instrument or genre. A piper, fiddler, singer, harpist, or accordion player all compete for the same title in the same final.
Notable Past Winners
| Year | Category | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Young Traditional Musician | Rachel Groves (lever harp, Aberdeenshire) |
| 2025 | Young Traditional Musician | Ellie Beaton (singer, Aberdeenshire) |
| 2024 | Young Traditional Musician | Calum McIlroy (mandolin and guitar, Aberdeenshire) |
| 2023 | Young Traditional Musician | Amy Laurenson (piano, Shetland) |
| 2022 | Young Traditional Musician | Eryn Rae (fiddle) |
| 2021 | Young Traditional Musician | Ali Levack (pipes and whistle, Dingwall) |
Rachel Groves is the first harpist to win the award since it began in 2001. The 2026 final was held on February 1 at Glasgow's City Halls during Celtic Connections, presented by Joy Dunlop and broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Alba.
Video Highlights
Eligibility and Submission Info
Applicants must meet three requirements: be aged between 18 and 27, have lived in Scotland for at least one year immediately prior to the entry date, and perform Scottish traditional music. There is no application fee.
The application process opens several months before the Celtic Connections festival (held annually in January or February). Entrants submit recordings of their performances to BBC Radio Scotland. A selection panel reviews submissions and chooses six finalists to compete in the live final.
The 2026 finalists were selected from 12 semi-finalists who performed at BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay headquarters. The six finalists each perform a 15-minute set at the live final at Glasgow's City Halls during Celtic Connections.
The winner receives a recording session with BBC Radio Scotland, a performance at the Scots Trad Music Awards, a concert at HebCelt (Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway), and one year of Musicians' Union membership. All finalists receive one-year membership to the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland (TMSA).
Applications and information are available at the BBC Radio Scotland programme page and Hands Up for Trad.
Similar Awards
- BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - UK folk music awards also broadcast on BBC radio
- Choice Music Prize - Irish music prize for album of the year
- Polaris Music Prize - Canadian prize recognizing artistic merit
- Aotearoa Music Awards - New Zealand music awards for regional talent
Information about applications and past winners is available at the BBC Radio Scotland programme page and Hands Up for Trad.
