SAY Awards unveil Dundee-made trophies and special performances ahead of 2026 ceremony
With just one week to go until Scotland’s national music prize returns to Dundee, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled its stunning new trophies, created using recycled plastic collected from across the city!
The SAY Award Ceremony will take place at Dundee’s Caird Hall on Thursday 5 November 2026, marking the event’s 15th anniversary and its second consecutive year in Dundee.
The ceremony will celebrate Scotland’s outstanding musical talent, with the winning album receiving a £20,000 prize.
This year’s 12 bespoke trophies have been handcrafted by Dundee-based designer Camillo Atlas, who has transformed discarded plastic, including bottle tops and shampoo bottles, into colourful awards inspired by Dundee’s architecture and urban landscape.
Originally from Germany and a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Camillo collected recycled materials from local schools, businesses and community members.
Remarkably, the trophies were sourced, designed and manufactured within just two miles of the Caird Hall!
Speaking about the commission, Camillo said: “It’s a real honour to design and make this year’s SAY Awards. Created from recycled plastic collected across Dundee, each award transforms discarded materials into something lasting and meaningful.” He added that every piece reflects the individuality of the music being celebrated and the collective effort of the Dundee community.
Special performances to celebrate 15 years of Scottish music
This year’s ceremony, hosted by Vic Galloway and Nicola Meighan, will also feature special anniversary performances celebrating previous SAY Award-winning albums.
Scottish artists including The Ninth Wave, Billy Got Waves, Leon Power and Carla J Easton will reinterpret songs from albums by Mogwai, Young Fathers and rEDOLENT, while the house band will celebrate Fergus McCreadie’s Forest Floor.
The evening will also honour Boards of Canada’s Music Has The Right to Children, which has been named the 2026 Modern Scottish Classic Award winner. The album will be celebrated through a special musical performance accompanied by commissioned visuals from artist Tom Schofield.
Ten albums are competing for this year’s main SAY Award, including releases from Barry Can’t Swim, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Michael McGovern, Swim School and Vlure. Meanwhile, five emerging artists are competing for the Sound of Young Scotland Award, with the winners announced live during the ceremony.
Final tickets for The SAY Award Ceremony on Thursday 5 November are available through www.sayaward.com.
With locally crafted trophies, special anniversary performances and some of Scotland’s biggest musical talents gathering at the Caird Hall, it promises to be another fantastic night for Dundee’s cultural scene!
