HebCelt Festival, and artist programmer Michelle Shields have been nominated in Scotland’s top trad music awards.
The festival is in the running for Event of the Year sponsored by Visit Scotland at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2025 following its record breaking event in July with headliners Tide Lines, Lulu and Skerryvore.
Michelle, who programs the line-up of artists for the festival and works on a string of big name live events and hit TV shows across Scotland throughout the year, has been nominated for the Industry Person of the Year award.
The nominations were revealed on the shortliston Mon, 3 November, with winners announced at the finals being held on Saturday 6 December at Aberdeen Music Hall.
Michelle, who has been working with trad music since 2004, said: “This is such a massive surprise to be honest. I’m so lucky to love the work I do, and to be shortlisted with so many amazing people is a real privilege. I’m shocked, but very grateful.” “I’m very happy HebCelt has been shortlisted for Event of the Year as well. The entire team works so hard to put on such the best festival we can every year, with amazing acts, an incredible army of volunteers and one of the best audiences on the planet.“So we’re all very happy to be included.”
HebCelt Festival Chair Iain Macphail said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that HebCelt has been nominated for such a prestigious award, especially one that comes from our peers which makes it all that extra special. “We’re over the moon that Michelle has been recognised for her incredible work at the very heart of not just at HebCelt, but throughout the year, with such an amazing nomination. It’s richly deserved and we couldn't be more proud of her.”
The festival’s popular payment plan for tickets also went live at the weekend so music fans can begin preparations, with the festival - which attracted 18,500 people in the summer - gearing up to reveal its first headline acts for 2026 later this month.
It is also shortlisted for the Sarah Nulty Community Impact Award at the UK Festival Awards, and was awarded a Climate Cup for its outstanding efforts on sustainability by Climate Hebrides only weeks ago.
The festival takes place between 15 and 18 July 2026.