‘Folk Oscars’ name An Tobar top venue
Tobermory delight as hard work pays off at Scots Trad awards
Mull music and arts venue An Tobar has won a top award.
The performance and arts space in Tobermory’s Argyll Terrace that attracts audiences from around the world was named Venue of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.
Produced by Hands Up for Trad and presented by Mary Ann Kennedy and Oban’s Kim Carnie, the venue’s win was proudly announced.
‘An Tobar is humbled, excited and exceptionally proud to have won the Venue of the Year award which recognises the continued support and hard work over the year the staff have demonstrated,’ said Gordon Maclean, An Tobar’s music director.
He added: ‘It’s been lovely back home on Mull with so many people stopping in the street to give us their good wishes.
‘It’s the kind of award that is easy to share with our amazing community.
‘Special thanks to the incredible Simon Thoumire and his organisation Hands Up For Trad which has been behind this brilliant night since it began in 2005.
‘Here’s to many more gigs of all kinds in the Venue of the Year. Hope to see you there.’
The awards, broadcast live on BBC ALBA across the world, celebrate Scotland’s traditional music in all its forms and creates a platform for the artists, music and industry to move into the spotlight.
Mr Thoumire said: ‘It has been another fabulous year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. Our scene is in good shape.’
An Tobar hosts about 50 exhibitions, gigs and shows a year and is home to workshops, studios, recording rooms and performance spaces.
Every year it needs to raise more than £200,000 to support its theatre and arts programme.