MacIver, from the Isle of Lewis, has been pursuing a career as a solo singer after being ousted from Skipinnish after nine years with the band.
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He is one of four contenders to be named the Gaelic singer of the year at the awards, which will be held in Paisley in December, where he will be up against Claire Frances MacNeil, Iain Cormack and Mairi McGillivray.
The winners of the awards, which are also known as Na Trads, are decided by public vote.
Norrie MacIver (far right) performed with the trad band Skipinnish for nine years. (Image: Andrew King/PA)
Skipinnish faced an angry backlash from fans after dropping MacIver weeks after performing with the band at the Hydro, their biggest headline concert to date.
Three of MacIver’s bandmates later announced that they had decided to leave the group.
Singer Norrie MacIver was dropped by the trad band Skipinnish last November. (Image: Supplied)
Formed in Glasgow in 1999 by Angus MacPhail and Andrew Stevenson, Skipinnish went on to become one of Scotland’s most successful trad music bands, with headline appearances at festivals like Celtic Connections, Hebcelt, Skye Live and The Gathering, and a 25th anniversary show at Edinburgh Castle.
MacIver, who was previously in the band Manran and is a former winner of the Gaelic singer of the year prize, joined Skipinnish in 2016 after singer Robert Robertson left the group to form a new band, Tide Lines.
The MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards will be returning to the Lagoon Leisure Centre in Paisley in December. (Image: Supplied)
At the time he was dropped from Skipinnish, MacIver said: “To make it clear, this is not my decision. Skipinnish have decided they want to let me go and move forward without me.
“I’m sorry there wasn’t a final gig to say goodbye to all the amazing fans, but that’s how it goes. You’ve all been brilliant. Thank you all so much for your support.
Valtos will be performing at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards ceremony in Paisley in December. (Image: Scott Goudie)
“Will take some time to process all of this but I wanted to make it clear that this is not what I wanted.”
Skipinnish released a statement suggesting the group had been hit by “increasingly difficult” troubles behind the scenes which had been building for around a year.
Glasgow’s Piping Live festival is in the running to be named event of the year at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. (Image: John Slavin)
It compared the internal strife and “resulting separation” to the break-up of a relationship or family rift, and said it was trying to navigate a difficult period with “care and sensitivity”.
Recalling his final appearance with the band on his website, MacIver states: “This turned out to be Norrie’s final gig with the band after being let go a few months later as the band, Angus and Andrew, decided to go into 2026 without Norrie and change things around for Skipinnish.”
The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, near Inverness, is a contender for the event of the year honour at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. (Image: Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival)
The trad music awards will be returning to Paisley for the first time since 2017 when the ceremony is staged at the Lagoon Leisure Centre on December 5.
The event, which will be broadcast by BBC Alba, will feature appearances from Valtos, Sian, Spodo Komodo, Fèis Phàislig and Rachel Groves, the current BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
Mec Lir have been shortlisted in the best live act category at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. (Image: Paul Strange)
Scots singer of the year nominees include Allan Taylor, Amy Lord, Lainey Dempsey and Paddy Buchanan.
Event of the year contenders include the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, near Inverness, the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Aberdeen, Speyfest in Fochabers, Piping Live in Glasgow and a celebration of the late accordion player Fergie MacDonald at Eden Court in Inverness.
Dlù are in the running to be named best live band at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. (Image: Supplied)
Dlù, Mec Lìr, the Jarad Rowan Band and Valtos are in the running to be named best live act, while nominees for best folk band include Beinn Lee, Dàna, Hannah Rarity and Anna Massie, Rant and Trip.
Musician of the year nominees include Alec Dalglish, Amy Laurenson, Charlie Galloway, Innes White, Sam Mabbett and Su-a Lee.
Adam Sutherland, Colin Steele, Hamish Napier and Megan Henderson are all shortlisted for composer of the year.
Long-running Ullapool hotel The Ceilidh Place and Glenbuchat Hall in Aberdeenshire will be up against Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom and Aberdeen’s Music Hall in the venue of the year category.
Awards founder Simon Thoumire said: “It’s been another outstanding year for Scottish traditional music as it continues to evolve, surprise and inspire, while staying true to the communities and traditions that make it so special.
“It’s always heartening to see the nominations flood in across so many areas of the scene and to see what people have been creating, sharing and doing for traditional arts in Scotland over the last 12 months.
“Now it’s over to the public, who can have their say and decide who comes away with a trophy.
“Na Trads haven’t been held in Paisley since 2017, so we can’t wait to be back in such a culturally rich town to celebrate.”
Tony Kearney, director of content and audiences at MG ALBA, said: “As headline sponsor of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, we are delighted that the awards will once again be shown live on BBC ALBA, bringing this celebration of Scotland’s traditional music to audiences across Scotland and beyond.
“The live broadcast is an opportunity to share the exceptional talent, creativity and ambition of this vibrant community.
“Through our longstanding partnership, MG ALBA is proud to help bring their music, voices and stories to a wider audience.”
Siobhan Anderson, music officer at Creative Scotland, which funds Na Trads, said: “It’s fantastic to see Na Trads return to Paisley this year, with all of the town’s character, culture and heritage on offer.
“The night will bring folk-lovers and performers together to celebrate the colourful variety, depth and talent of Scotland’s thriving traditional music scene. Every nomination from the public is a huge support to their favourite artists, events, organisations and individuals helping them to reach the next steps in their career and development.”