Strathpsey pair are nominated for musician of year at Trads

Two top talents from the strath have made it onto the shortlist for musician of the year at the Trads – and now they need Strathy readers’ votes to help them grab the big prize.

Mhairi Hall, of Aviemore, and Findlay Napier, who hails from Grantown, have both been nominated for musician of the year in this year’s Scots Traditional Musician of the Year Awards.

The annual gala, taking place at Glasgow’s Engine Works on December 4, champions top Scottish traditional musicians of all genres, recognising and celebrating talent.

Hall told the Strathy: “I’m really honoured to receive this nomination.

“I tend to keep my head down and get on with making music so it’s a surprise and very nice to be recognised.

“It’s also very special to have two musicians from this area in the category – it says a lot for how inspirational our Strathspey is!’

The pianist and record producer is now based in Boat of Garten, and has been touring with her ‘Airs’ music.

She is set to play in the Tolbooth in Stirling in mid-November.

Hall is also involved in an innovative project recording the underwater sounds around Badenoch and Strathspey and putting them to music.

Findlay Napier is now based in Glasgow and has just released a new album called Quantum Lyrics with singer Megan Henwood.

His brother Hamish is also in the running for an award as part of The Dee Don Ceilidh Collective based in Aberdeenshire.

Its members have been nominated for Community Project of the Year at the Trads.

Hamish Napier was one of the nine composers commissioned to compose a piece of music for Our Living Rivers and Glens project.

His exciting new piece The Wells of Dee, about the source of the River Dee up on the Cairngorms plateau above the Lairig Ghru, can now be streamed for free online at https://deedonceilidhcollective.com

Alan Morrison, head of music at Creative Scotland, is delighted to see the event return in person.

He said: “For many people, music is the heart and soul of their daily lives.

“During lockdown we lost not only concert-hall performances but also face-to-face lessons, fireside sessions, and community get-togethers.

“This year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards ceremony is therefore a perfectly timed opportunity to celebrate both the return of our live music scene and the wonders that artists delivered online to keep the spirit of Na Trads alive during the darkest of days.”

Votes can be cast until November 14, by clicking here

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