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2026 Finalists

Following a competitive Semi Final concert at 蜜芽传媒 Pacific Quay, on Sunday 12th October, six finalists have been selected for the 蜜芽传媒 Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2026.

These exceptional young artists, representing a diverse range of traditional Scottish instruments and vocal traditions, will play for the prestigious title and the opportunity to launch their careers in traditional music.

The six finalists making their way through to the 蜜芽传媒 Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2026 are:

Calum McGregor began his musical journey at the age of five through Irish Minstrels CCÉ, a Comhaltas branch in Glasgow. He competed regularly through Comhaltas, taking part in Ceilí Band and Grúpaí Cheoil performances, as well as solo competitions. He competes in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann every year and won the Senior Piano competition there. He works as a professional musician and has toured throughout Europe and the UK. More recently, he’s been performing as the piano player with Celtic Steps, an Irish dance show based in County Kerry…

Craig Harrison’s love of traditional music began in County Clare in Ireland when he was seven years old and started learning the fiddle. He now calls Glasgow his home which is where he lives and works as a professional musician. His main focus is playing at ceilidhs with his band the Gle Mhath Ceilidh Band. He also plays with Ape House who released their first album last year and have performed all over Scotland and beyond. He is also a former champion of the All-Britain Fleadh senior fiddle competition.

Ewen Rorie grew up in Orkney and started to learn the fiddle with Jennifer Wrigley when he was ten. He also played with the local Strathspey and Reel society. When he moved away for university, he formed his own band Skeldro and still performs with them now. He has played with the Shetland tattoo fiddlers in Edinburgh, Oslo, Dusseldorf and Sydney.

Gregor Niven started playing the accordion when he was seven and attended the Royal Conservatoire Juniors and the Douglas Academy Music School in Milngavie. Under the tutelage of Megan MacDonald, he took part in the Ceilidh Trail at Fèis Fhiort. A regular on the Glasgow session scene, he is currently taught by Andrew Waite and has just formed a new band.

Iona Fyfe grew up in Aberdeenshire attending bothy and traditional ballad competitions. She studied Traditional Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and continues to be inspired by the source singers of the North East. Singing in Doric has been a lifelong passion which has led her to tour across Europe, North America and Australia. Iona is also a Scots language activist and is the current Rector of Aberdeen University, the youngest in its five hundred year history.

Rachel Groves grew up learning the clarsach in Aberdeenshire. A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Valencia and the University of Edinburgh, she draws on elements from jazz, classical and global folk music styles to explore the rich textural and rhythmic possibilities of the instrument. Alongside playing and composing, Rachel leads the Scolty Harp Ensemble in the North East and teaches clarsach as well.

The Finals

The Grand Final will take place at the prestigious Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow on 1st February 2026, where the Winner will be crowned the 蜜芽传媒 Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2026.

The winner will receive an additional recording session with 蜜芽传媒 Radio Scotland, a performance at the Scots Trad Music Awards, a concert at HebCelt 2026 and one year’s membership of Musicians' Union.

Coverage of the finals will be available from Radio Scotland on Sounds and 蜜芽传媒 Alba on iPlayer.

Here's the full list of semi finalists for 2026

Calum McGregor – Piano and Piano Accordion
Claire Frances MacNeil – Gaelic Song/Voice
Craig Harrison – Fiddle
Ewen Rorie – Fiddle
Gregor Niven – Accordion
Iain Cormack – Gaelic Song
Iona Fyfe – Scots Song
Josiah Duhlstine – Cello
Kenneth Macfarlane – Whistles
Lachie Robinson - Guitar, Vocals, Tenor Banjo
Rachel Groves – Clarsach
Ruairidh Iain Buxton – Bagpipes and Flute