THE biggest names in Scottish folk music will turn out in Paisley for the 15th annual MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.

Known as the folk Oscars, the 2017 MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will showcase and celebrate the very best of Scottish traditional music to folk fans from across the country.

Organising body Hands Up for Trad unveiled the shortlisted nominations for the awards this week and will hand out a total of 16 awards on the night.

Voting for the shortlisted acts will be live until November 24 and votes can be cast online via www.scotstradmusicawards.com.

The awards are in the town as part of the Paisley 2021 UK City of Culture bid, and director Jean Cameron said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming the MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards to Paisley for the first time for what I am sure will be a memorable evening.

“The town already has really strong links with the Scottish trad scene - several of the shortlisted acts played sell-out shows at our annual Spree festival this October, and we recently found out we are due to welcome the Royal National Mòd back to Paisley in either 2021 or 2022.

“December’s awards night couldn’t come at a better time for us – with the announcement over whether we will be named UK City of Culture 2021 expected later that month. Our congratulations go to everyone who has made the shortlist and we look forward to offering a warm Paisley welcome.”

A glittering gala event will present performances from some of Scotland’s traditional music luminaries including: The Elephant Sessions, Siobhan Miller, Charlie Stewart – winner of BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2017, The Shee Big Band and more.

First started in 2003, The Scots Trad Music Awards generates more than 100,000 worldwide public votes from across 16 categories including: Album of The Year, Live Act of the Year, Gaelic Singer of the Year, Event of the Year, Composer of the Year and more.

It takes place on Saturday, December 2 from 7pm at the Paisley Lagoon Leisure Centre with tickets costing £25.

Tickets are available online from Renfrewshire Leisure Box Office; over the phone on 0300 300 1210; or in person from Paisley Arts Centre or InCube Shop.

The MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards will be broadcast live on BBC ALBA and BBC Radio Scotland.