Fiddler Couper shortlisted for Trad Music Award

Isles fiddler Ross Couper has been shortlisted for an Alba Scots Trad Music Award.

Couper, a revered musician, well-known for his work with guitarist Tom Oakes and the Scottish Folk band Peatbog Faeries, is in the running for the Instrumentalist of the Year award.

The Peatbog Faeries have also been shortlisted for Album of the Year and fellow bandmate Peter Morrison has been shortlisted for Composer of the Year.

And to make for an even bigger party the band will be performing at the ceremony next month, straight off the back off a trip to Mexico.

For Couper 2015 has been jam-packed, with trad teaching, workshops, recording two albums and gigs galore – including a gig in Azerbaijan with the Peatbogs – an experience he thoroughly enjoyed.

“I’m extremely happy,” he said.

“I was surprised to get the phone call and I was quite touched by it.”

He added: “Of course getting named is nice because you work away and everything and when things like this happen, it’s nice to know that people are noticing what you’re doing.”

The award ceremony will be held on 5th December.