MSP urges support for Orkney’s traditional music finalists

Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has called on people in Orkney to show their support for the county’s nominees at the annual Traditional Music awards, due to take place in Perth on December 3.  Having lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament, Mr McArthur drew MSPs’ attention to the strong showing again from Orkney.

 Mr McArthur said: “The popularity of folk and traditional music in Scotland is certainly on the increase.  Orkney musicians can feel rightly proud of the role they have played over the years in making this happen.

“I am delighted, therefore, to see Orkney once again well-represented amongst the finalists for this year’s MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards.  The Orkney Folk Festival has gone from strength to strength and after another good year this year, I certainly hope that this is enough to see it carry of the award for Best Event.

“Kristan Harvey has been attracting rave reviews for a couple of years now and her nomination in the Up and Coming section is surely no surprise, while Douglas Montgomery’s appearance in the Best Teacher category will be welcomed by many and is richly deserved.

“After the success of the Traditional Music Project last year, it is great to see Orkney featuring prominently amongst the nominees again in 2011.  I would encourage people in Orkney to cast their votes and show their support for those who do so much to keep Orkney at the forefront of traditional music in Scotland.”