It doesn't feel like the year has actually got going until Celtic Connections  begins. This year it's on between the 15th Jan and the 1st Feb, and it once again has a varied, vibrant, and eclectic line-up to suit most musical tastes. The festival is a joyous celebration of live music which is as precious and important as ever. To get involved further you can become a Celtic Rover  which supports Celtic Connections and its Education and Outreach Programmes. With so much going

In what was another incredible year for Scottish music we have somehow managed to whittle our favourite releases down to a manageable Top Ten Albums of the year. Below are videos of tracks from each pick, and we hope you find something to pique your interest. If you do then please purchase directly from the artist or their record labels ( all the titles in orange should take you where you want to go ) because the world, which is difficult enough as it is, would be intolerable

For me, it doesn't feel like any year has actually got going until Celtic Connections begins. This year it's on between the 18th Jan and...