Where was the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician award announced?

The award was announced at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow.

What does Rachel Groves win as the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician?

Rachel Groves' prize includes a recording session with BBC Radio Scotland and performances at the Scots Trad Music Awards and the Hebridean Celtic Festival.

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Aberdeen Harpist Wins Top BBC Young Musician Award

Q: Who is the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician for 2026?

Rachel Groves, a harpist from Aberdeenshire, has been named the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician for 2026.

2 Feb

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Summary

Aberdeenshire harpist Rachel Groves won the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician award.
The prestigious award was announced at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow.
Groves' prize includes a recording session and performances at major music events.

Aberdeen Harpist Wins Top BBC Young Musician Award

Rachel Groves, a harpist from Aberdeenshire, has been awarded the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician title for 2026. The announcement was made during a live broadcast from the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, featuring six talented finalists.

Groves, who also leads the Scolty Harp Ensemble and teaches the lever harp, expressed her surprise and delight at winning. She began playing the clarsach in primary school and has since studied music at the University of Edinburgh and Berklee College of Music in Valencia.

Now based between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, Groves incorporates jazz, classical, and global folk elements into her Scottish traditional music. Her prize includes a recording session with BBC Radio Scotland and appearances at the Scots Trad Music Awards and the Hebridean Celtic Festival.