Scottish Album of the Year Award reveals 2026 shortlist ahead of Dundee ceremony
The countdown is officially on to one of Scotland’s biggest music celebrations, with the ten albums shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award 2026 now revealed ahead of next month’s ceremony in Dundee!
This year’s prestigious awards will take place at Caird Hall on Thursday 5 November, bringing some of Scotland’s most exciting musical talent to the city for a special evening celebrating the country’s thriving music scene.
And with the awards marking their 15th anniversary this year, Dundee is preparing to host a particularly special celebration of Scottish music!
Ten albums competing for Scotland’s top music prize
The 2026 shortlist features an exciting mix of artists and musical styles, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Scotland’s music industry.
Among those shortlisted are Barry Can’t Swim, Boards of Canada, Brìghde Chaimbeul, swim school and VLURE, alongside five other artists and projects.
The full Scottish Album of the Year Award 2026 shortlist is:
Barry Can’t Swim – Loner
Boards of Canada – Inferno
Brìghde Chaimbeul – Sunwise
Heir of the Cursed – Heir of the Cursed
Hen Hoose – The Twelve
Michael McGovern – Thin White Road
Sonedo – From Here On Out
swim school – Swim School
Vagrant Real Estate – Neither Collar Nor Crown
VLURE – ESCALATE
Michael McGovern’s Thin White Road has also secured its place on the shortlist after winning this year’s public vote.
The ten shortlisted albums will now be celebrated at the upcoming ceremony, where the overall winner will be revealed live in Dundee.
Caird Hall to host special 15th anniversary celebration
The 2026 ceremony marks an important milestone for the SAY Award, celebrating 15 years of recognising and championing outstanding Scottish albums.
This year’s event will take place at Dundee’s historic Caird Hall on Thursday 5 November, with the ceremony featuring the live announcement of the winning album.
The celebration will also highlight the incredible range of music created in Scotland, from emerging artists to established names making an impact nationally and internationally.
The event is being held in partnership with Fettercairn Whisky, which is supporting this year’s 15th anniversary celebrations.
Another major cultural event for Dundee
Hosting the Scottish Album of the Year Award is another fantastic opportunity for Dundee to welcome leading figures from Scotland’s creative industries.
The ceremony will bring artists, musicians and music fans together in the city, shining a spotlight on Scottish talent while placing Dundee at the centre of one of the country’s most important music celebrations.
And with the shortlist now confirmed, attention turns to Caird Hall on 5 November to discover which of the ten albums will take home the coveted award.
The Scottish Album of the Year Award 2026 ceremony takes place at Caird Hall, Dundee, on Thursday 5 November.
Further information about the shortlisted albums and this year’s ceremony is available at www.sayaward.com.
