Thursday 3 September 2026
Call for community champions to be part of Local Hero celebrations
Julie Fowlis – favourite Scottish songbird will be at Hoolie in the Hyro.
by BILL HEANEY
Trad music Faithfuls will be lining up for Hoolie in the Hydro this December as Traitors winner Stephen Libby takes on hosting duties alongside fellow Hebridean star Julie Fowlis.
Stephen, from the Isle of Lewis, will be swapping the Round Table for the OVO Hydro as he prepares to co-host Scotland’s biggest night of traditional music on Saturday 12 December 2026.
The theme for this year’s event is Local Hero, which sees the beloved 1983 film inspire the night’s celebration of Scottish legends, both on stage and in communities across the country.
With an already packed bill of Scottish trad bands set to perform, Hoolie is now rolling out the red carpet for even more of Scotland’s finest to be part of the occasion.
Record-breaking rowers The MacLean Brothers and charity fundraiser Craig Ferguson are among the inspirational Scots set to join the festivities.
Alongside Mànran, Beluga Lagoon, The Chair, Blazin’ Fiddles, Donnie Munro, Dougie MacLean, Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis and Ruairidh Gray, and more on stage across the night, will be Capercaille founding member Donald Shaw, the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes, the Scottish Police and Community Choir, and fiddle player Aly Bain, who this year celebrates his 80th birthday.
Organisers are also now on the hunt for everyday local heroes from across Scotland that make a difference in their community to be part of the night.
From volunteering and charity work to supporting young people, championing local culture, sport or music, or simply going above and beyond for others, Hoolie in the Hydro – Local Hero wants to hear who is making a difference and deserves a night out.
Public nominations are open from Monday 7 September – Sunday 4 October at www.anairdevents.com/nominateyourlocalhero
The best nominees from the length and breadth of Scotland will be invited to attend the special night as Hoolie’s Local Hero guests.
Long-standing Hoolie in the Hydro host Julie Fowlis said: “I’m really excited to be taking part in the Hoolie again this year – it’s fast becoming an annual tradition to head to Glasgow in December to celebrate the finest of Scottish music with the best crowd! I also love the Hydro – the arena is epic, and we are looking forward to welcoming some fantastic musicians and singers to the stage. This year, honouring Local Heroes adds an extra sentimental element to the evening, which will be magical.”
Hoolie in the Hydro – Local Hero host Stephen Libby, pictured left, said: “It’s a huge honour to be co-hosting Hoolie in the Hydro – Local Hero this year. I have always felt incredibly proud of where I am from, and traditional music is such an important part of life in the Western Isles and across Scotland. I can’t wait to celebrate that in December and to share the stage with some of our country’s finest musicians.”
Hoolie in the Hydro organiser, broadcaster and musician Gary Innes, said: “Hoolie in the Hydro – Local Hero is all about celebrating traditional music and the musicians who have helped shape Scotland’s now vast musical landscape. This year, I’m over the moon that we’re also going to celebrate the incredible characters, personalities and people who make our wee country so special. The unsung heroes of Scotland are just as important, and communities across the country now have the chance to nominate their very own local hero.
“It will also be fantastic to have Stephen Libby and Julie Fowlis at the helm. Julie, or ‘Hoolie Fowlis’ as I like to call her, has become an integral part of the event, while Stephen has shown himself to be a terrific character and ambassador for Scotland, and indeed for traditional music, since winning The Traitors. The countdown is well and truly on for this special night.”
The event will continue its shinty sporting partnership with the Camanachd Association, and this year extend this to incorporate the Women’s Camanachd Association, who are celebrating 25 years in 2026. Winners of both the 2026 Men’s and Women’s Camanachd Cups will be given the opportunity to take to the stage on the night as the Scottish sporting heroes are applauded.
Launched in 2022, Hoolie in the Hydro has become a stand-out night in Scotland’s cultural calendar, growing year on year. Previous editions included a tribute to Sir Billy Connolly and a celebration of the music of Runrig, while the event also travelled over the Atlantic for a New York edition in Carnegie Hall, hosted by Alan Cumming.
Beatson Cancer Charity are the official charity partners of the 2026 event.
Hoolie in the Hydro – Local Hero will take place on Saturday 12 December 2026 and tickets are on sale now at www.ovohydro.com/events/detail/hoolie-in-the-hydro-2026.