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Harpist named BBC Young Traditional Musician 2026

BBC Radio Scotland/Alan Peebles Rachel Groves holds the hold the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician quaich after winning the title for 2026. She has long brown hair and is wearing a blue dress. Her harp is on the left.BBC Radio Scotland/Alan Peebles
Alongside playing and composing, Rachel also teaches the harp

Aberdeenshire harpist Rachel Groves has been named the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician for 2026.

Rachel, who leads the Scolty Harp Ensemble in the north-east of Scotland and teaches the lever harp, said "it's amazing to win and I am in shock".

The prize was announced at a show featuring six finalists at Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Alba.

The BBC Radio Scotland contest is regarded as one of the biggest platforms for emerging talent in traditional music.

Rachel began playing the lever harp in her final year at primary school before going on to study music at the University of Edinburgh and the Berklee College of Music in Valencia.

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Now based in Glasgow, she draws on elements from jazz, classical and global folk musical styles.

"Scottish trad music is what I play but I really enjoy playing with different musicians and I enjoy collaborating with people who come from a different perspective to my own," she told the BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast programme.

"I also played the piano growing up but it's all about what instrument you connect to and I think I got lucky."

Rachel also praised and thanked her first harp tutor Alison Bell, who joined her in the audience for her award-winning performance.

BBC Radio Scotland/Martin Shields Rachel Groves standing with her harp. She has long brown hair and is wearing a green top and white jeans.BBC Radio Scotland/Martin Shields
Rachel also won a recording session with BBC Radio Scotland and appearances at the Scots Trad Music Awards and HebCelt

BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine said the evening celebrated Scotland's young musical talent and congratulated Rachel and the five other finalists.

"Each and every performance was remarkable and shines a light on just how strong and diverse Scotland's traditional music scene is," she said.

"Our audiences, whether listening on BBC Radio Scotland, watching on BBC Alba, or sitting here at City Halls, could not fail to be uplifted by their talent."

Rachel's prize includes a recording session with BBC Radio Scotland and performances at the Scots Trad Music Awards and HebCelt - the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway.

Organised by BBC Radio Scotland, the Young Traditional Musician competition has been increasing the profile of Scottish traditional music and recognising rising talent in the genre since 2001.

It has been a springboard for numerous Scottish traditional music exponents to international acclaim.

Entrants must be aged between 18 and 27, and have lived in Scotland for at least one year immediately prior to the entry date.

Last year's winner was singer Ellie Beaton, also from Aberdeenshire.