Four Edinburgh acts named in Scottish Album of the Year 2026 shortlist as legendary electronic duo win 'Modern Scottish Classic' gong
The celebrated award is set to be handed out at a ceremony in Dundee next month
Four Edinburgh acts have been nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year 2026 after the shortlist for this year’s prestigious award was revealed.
Barry Can’t Swim, Boards of Canada, Sonedo, and Swim School are all in the running for the 2026 prize.
The acts have been nominated for the SAY Awards beside six other Scottish musicians, including Brìghde Chaimbeul, Heir of the Cursed, Hen Hoose Collective, Michael McGovern, Vagrant Real Estate, and Vlure. The full nominee list is:
- Barry Can't Swim - Loner
- Boards of Canada - Inferno
- Brìghde Chaimbeul - Sunwise
- Heir of the Cursed - Heir of the Cursed
- Hen Hoose Collective - The Twelve
- Michael McGovern - Thin White Road
- Sonedo - From Here On Out
- Swim School - Swim School
- Vagrant Real Estate - Neither Collar Nor Crown
- Vlure - ESCALATE
The winner of the Scottish Album of the Year 2026 will be awarded £20,000, with the shortlisted acts all received a bonus prize of £1,000 each.
As well as the shortlist being revealed, electronic duo Boards of Canada have also been named as this year’s ‘Modern Scottish Classic’ winner.
The award recognises notable and influential albums from Scottish music history, with the Edinburgh brothers’ 1998 debut record ‘Music Has The Right To Children’ being recognised 28 years after its release.
Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director of the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said, “Congratulations to all ten Shortlisted artists, as well as our five Sound of Young Scotland finalists and this year’s Modern Scottish Classic Award winner – Boards of Canada’s ‘Music Has The Right To Children’.
“The strength and diversity of this collective output reflects a music community that continues to evolve, take risks and find new ways to connect.
“Each artist and record brings a distinctive voice to Scotland’s cultural identity, and together they remind us why music continues to be such an invaluable national asset.”
It comes after SMIA published its ‘Scottish Music Industry Roadmap 2026–30’, which laid out priorities for the industry in the coming years.
Kilpatrick added: “Its eight national priorities share an ambition that has long driven The SAY Award: to ensure that the talent and creativity we celebrate are matched by the support and opportunities needed to sustain them. Behind these albums are people, businesses and music communities whose work enriches our lives and connects Scotland with the world.
“The SAY Award exists to support and champion that work, investing directly in artists and helping their music reach new audiences. We’re grateful to all our partners for continuing to make this possible.”
The Scottish Album of the Year Awards 2026, in partnership with Fettercairn, will take place at Dundee’s Caird Hall on Thursday, November 5. The winner will be announced during the event.