Stout and McKay nominated for folk award

SHETLAND fiddler Chris Stout has been nominated for a prize at this year’s BBC Folk Awards.

 He has been shortlisted alongside collaborator Catriona McKay in the best duo category.

The pair, who also play together in local collective Fiddlers’ Bid, released their latest album Bare Knuckle in December.

Stout said: “We are delighted to have received this nomination for such a prestigious award.

“Looking through the list of nominees I can see that we are in great company. The awards ceremony in Belfast can’t fail but to be an amazing celebration music which has been created and the hard work that everyone has put in over the last 12 months. It’s such an honour to be a part of the whole thing.”

Last year’s BBC Folk Awards saw Shetland resident Kris Drever triumph in the folk singer and best original track categories.

A couple of the 2018 nominees are set to perform in Shetland in the coming months, with folk singer of the year hopeful Siobhan Miller on the bill for this year’s folk festival.

Lankum, who are up for the best group, best album and best original track prizes, will perform at Mareel on 30 May.

This year’s BBC Folk Awards will take place in Belfast on 4 April.