Dundee Selected to Host Prestigious Scottish Album Awards for Three Consecutive Years
In a significant development for Scotland’s music scene, it has been announced that Dundee is set to host the esteemed Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award ceremony for the next three years. The Caird Hall, one of the city’s landmark venues, will provide the stage for the event in 2025, 2026 and 2027, a historic shift that sees the awards moving away from the Central Belt for the first time in their 14-year history.
The SAY Award, organised by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), stands as one of the most coveted accolades in Scottish music, championing a remarkable breadth of talent throughout the country. This year’s ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, 6 November 2025, kicking off a Dundee residency that is anticipated to invigorate the city’s cultural calendar and the surrounding region.
This marks a new era for the event, which has followed a tradition of rotating host cities every three years. Previously held at Stirling’s Albert Halls from 2022 to 2024, the ceremony’s move reflects the SMIA’s commitment to broadening the award’s reach and celebrating the diversity of Scottish musical output in a range of local contexts. The award was initially established in Glasgow in 2012 before the creation of the Host City model in 2016, which set out to maximise the event’s community impact nationwide.
Speaking about the move, SMIA chief executive and creative director Robert Kilpatrick described Dundee as embodying the energy and creativity the award seeks to spotlight. “We have always aspired to bring the SAY Award to Dundee – now feels like the perfect time,” he explained. “It’s a city built on creativity, from grassroots music spaces to iconic artists and vital cultural institutions. We’re excited to contribute to Dundee’s rich musical tapestry by making Caird Hall our base for the next three years.”
Organisers have revealed that local collaboration will be key to this new chapter, with partnerships involving Leisure & Culture Dundee, V&A Dundee, Dundee City Council and UNESCO Dundee City of Design all shaping this year’s ceremony. Fittingly, the trophies for the 2025 award are to be designed by a local Dundee artist, further emphasising the event’s commitment to highlighting the city’s creative output.
Eligibility for this year’s prize runs for albums released between 1 June 2024 and 31 May 2025, with artists expected to include titans like Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand and Nina Nesbitt, among many others. With a £20,000 top prize, the SAY Award offers not only major recognition but tangible support for winning Scottish musicians. Nine runners-up are also set to receive £1,000 each, and a performance from the 2024 winner, Redolent, will be a highlight of the ceremony.
Beyond the main award, the ceremony will continue its tradition of celebrating excellence with the Modern Scottish Classic Award—an accolade reserved for an influential album from Scotland’s past which continues to inspire today’s artists. Additionally, the Sound of Young Scotland Award will provide a substantial grant to an emerging act to assist with the creation of a debut album, further cementing the SAY Award’s role in supporting the next generation of talent.
Local leadership has spoken warmly about the city’s new role as host. Councillor Lynne Short, Dundee City Council spokeswoman for culture, sport and history, said, “The city has a proud and vibrant musical tradition. From buskers in the city centre to established names filling Slessor Gardens, music is part of our identity. It’s an honour for Dundee to be recognised in this way.”
Echoing this enthusiasm, Anna Day, head of libraries and culture at Leisure & Culture Dundee, commented, “Caird Hall has played host to generations of music lovers and artists. This partnership marks a bold new phase and we look forward to opening our doors to Scotland’s music community.”
Tickets for the SAY Award Ceremony are now available, with organisers encouraging music fans from across Scotland and the UK to experience a unique celebration of the nation’s musical achievements in Dundee. With the city poised to take centre stage, the coming years promise to be a dynamic period for both Dundee and the wider Scottish music landscape.