Since 2001, when the final was first staged at Celtic Connections, the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition, promoted by Hands Up for Trad, has been a prestigious career launch-pad for winners and runners-up alike, annually showcased in the TMSA’s popular annual Young Trad tour. Among the victors’ honour-roll are past and current members of Blazin’ Fiddles, Ímar, Fara, Breabach, Dosca, Snuffbox, The Shee, Back of the Moon and more, while many others have gone on to major solo success.