Blazin Fiddles had a night to remember when they scooped two awards at the prestigious Scottish Traditional Music Awards on Saturday. The event, held in Edinburgh at the Queen's Hall, was a celebration of the Scottish traditional music industry and run by "Hands up for Trad".  The band, who were winners of last years "Best Live Act" category also opened this year’s event, much to the delight of Culture minister Patricia Ferguson who said "every time I hear Blazin Fiddles I realise that I was right to give up the violin at fourteen"

Blazin' in Beauly, the fiddle school run by Blazin Fiddles every October beat off stiff competition to win the "Best Event" category which was sponsored by Visit Scotland. Previous winners have been Celtic Connections and the Hebridean Celtic Festival, both enormous operations in terms of numbers attending and funding. Founder of the band and the fiddle school Bruce Macgregor said "this is an amazing achievement for everyone involved in Blazin in Beauly. The community involvement in this project can't be underestimated. We've had brilliant support from all the local businesses and from local music lovers. There is a real festival spirit during the week which I think is probably the envy of every festival in Scotland. We have something very special here - a unique combination of culture, music, business and locals all coming together."

Some of the locals who have helped make Blazin' in Beauly such a success accompanied the band to the ceremony and were absolutely ecstatic. "I think the phone lines to Beauly were red hot when the award was announced. Donald Fraser from the Ironmongers seemed to be on the phone to the entire village! We're having a wee celebration on Thursday night just to thank everyone who has helped over the past five years." said Bruce.

There are plans afoot to take the blueprint for Beauly to other parts of the world. Approaches have been made to fiddle groups in Boston and work on co-ordinating the event has already started.

"I can't see why the festival couldn't work in other countries - particularly if we take a flight load of the locals over with us! We just need to find a good sponsor. It is the kind of event that really should have a major supporter"

The band also won "Best CD" for their new album "Magnificent Seven"

A photo opportunity is available of band members, organisers and local businesses in the Lovat Arms, Beauly, on Thursday night from 7pm.

Any more info please phone Bruce MacGregor on 0775 370 9180