Edinburgh's Callum Beattie and West Lothian's Susan Boyle named winners at Scottish Music Awards 2026
Local musicians pick up awards at Glasgow Barrowland ceremony
Edinburgh's Callum Beattie and West Lothian's Susan Boyle were named among the winners at last night’s Scottish Music Awards 2026.
Scotland's music stars descended on Glasgow's iconic Barrowland Ballroom for a celebration of homegrown talent on Saturday, November 7, honouring global icons and the next generation of breakthrough artists, while raising vital funds for music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.
Susan Boyle, Calvin Harris, David Byrne, The Fratellis and Big Country led an impressive roll call of winners, alongside a new generation of Scottish talent including Jacob Alon, Cammy Barnes, Rianne Downey, Kerr Mercer and Valtos, in an unforgettable evening of live music, heartfelt tributes and special moments.
Edinburgh Castle conqueror Callum Beattie took home the Best Album Award for his third studio album ‘INDI’, released in January, recognising his achievements as a songwriter and recording artist and his growing contribution to Scotland's contemporary music landscape.
One of the evening's standout moments saw Blackburn singing sensation Susan Boyle take to the Barrowland Ballroom stage to receive the Icon Award. Nearly two decades after capturing hearts around the world with her unforgettable debut on Britain's Got Talent, she remains one of Scotland's most celebrated musical exports.
Accepting the honour, she said: "I'd like to thank the Music Awards for this award. I still don't know why I'm an icon, but thank you! I'm also a patron of Nordoff and Robbins. We do a lot of good work and it's an absolute privilege to stand here as a representative. I'm very humbled and privileged."
Now in its 28th year, the annual celebration once again brought Scotland's music community together for a cause at the very heart of the industry, raising vital funds for Nordoff and Robbins, the UK's largest music therapy charity.
The 2026 event raised an incredible £205,000, supporting its life-changing work with children and adults across Scotland and the wider UK.
Speaking about the importance of the charity, awards host Sanjeev Kohli said: "I've had mental health struggles and music has got me through it. I think we all know how music can affect your mood.
"So when you see what Nordoff & Robbins do, and I've been to a couple of sessions, you see the impact, you see the light in people's eyes with music therapy. And that's what music can do. It can open doors that maybe you didn't know were there."
The GUITARGUITAR Scottish Music Awards 2026 winners, in alphabetical order: Big Country: Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Drygate; Callum Beattie: Best Album Award sponsored by AC Hotel; Cammy Barnes: Artist of the Year Award sponsored by Go Radio; Calvin Harris: Best Live Artist Award sponsored by Ticketmaster.
David Byrne: Outstanding Contribution to Music Award sponsored by GUITARGUITAR; FLY: Ballantine's Sub Club Electronic Music Award; The Fratellis: Classic Album Award sponsored by Raymond Weil; Gary Innes – Hoolie in the Hydro: Promoter Award sponsored by SEC; Graham Lyle: Music Industry Award sponsored by Eventos.
Jacob Alon: Breakthrough Award sponsored by ROX; Kerr Mercer: Spotlight Award sponsored by Barrowland Ballroom; Rianne Downey: Evolution Award sponsored by Royal Highland Centre; Susan Boyle: Icon Award sponsored by the Sir Reo Stakis Foundation; Valtos: Sound of Scotland Award sponsored by P&J Live.