Stars gather ahead of inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards in Glasgow

The awards launch as Scots are named the UK’s biggest podcast fans, with Ofcom figures showing almost a quarter of adults in Scotland listen weekly, rising to nearly half of Gen Z.

Still Game legend Ford Kiernan, football favourite Si Ferry and funnyman Grado were among the big names gathering at The Social Hub Glasgow’s new playroom today as nominees for the Spotify Listeners’ Choice Award at the inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards were announced.

The event comes amid a major boom in podcasting across Scotland, with Scots now named the UK’s most avid podcast listeners.

According to Ofcom, almost a quarter of adults in Scotland listen to podcasts every week – the highest figure of any UK nation – while nearly half of Gen Z are now regular listeners.

And audiences have plenty to choose from, with more than 4.5 million podcasts now available worldwide.

Among those competing for votes are a mix of household names who have embraced the medium and creators who have become stars through podcasting itself.

Influencers Jess Tedds and Zoe Quinn, hosts of A Lot On Your Plate, joined comedians Marc Jennings and Stephen Buchanan of Some Laugh, Girls Overheard hosts Eilidh Wells and Ash Reid, and Shelby May, Ford Kiernan’s co-host on The Ford and Shelby Show at the Listeners’ Choice for the announcement.

More than 400 podcasts applied for recognition at the awards – demonstrating the health of the scene in Scotland.

Also vying for votes is one of Scotland’s biggest podcast success stories Open Goal, fronted by former footballer Si Ferry and Paul Slane. The football podcast has grown from a niche online show into a live phenomenon, selling out venues including the Hydro and SWG3.

The Scottish Podcast Awards will take place at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket on June 25 and has attracted more than 400 entries across entertainment, sport, business and culture.

Supported by Spotify, the awards have removed entry fees for creators and introduced a public-voted Listeners’ Choice Award.

The awards have been developed by Sixty Steps Productions, founded by Mark Moir, Scot Gardiner and Corrinne Gardiner.

Corrinne Gardiner said: “We almost stumbled into a zeitgeist. The industry was already growing fast, but there wasn’t anything in Scotland bringing it all together, platforming and celebrating our talent.

“As soon as we started talking about the awards, the response was incredible.

“Podcasting is everywhere right now. We’re seeing new studios opening all across Scotland, more creators launching shows, and audiences growing quickly across the country. It feels like the whole space has hit a tipping point.

“The biggest thing we kept hearing was: ‘we’ve been waiting for someone to do this.’ That came from studios, creators, brands… everyone.”

Mark added: “There’s something serious happening with audio just now. People want content they can listen to on their own terms, and podcasting fits perfectly with that.

“We’ve got a wealth of creative talent, technical skills, and brilliant innovative studios here in Scotland. There’s no reason we can’t become a major hub for podcasting. It is hugely encouraging to see fantastic International brands like Goalhanger entering into the inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards”.

Talia Stolerman, Head of Podcasts at Spotify UK & Ireland, commented: “Scotland has an incredible podcasting community, and we’re proud to help those voices be heard and celebrated.”

“We’re excited to be the official voting platform for the Listeners’ Choice Award at this year’s Scottish Podcast Awards, making it easier than ever for fans across the country to support the shows they love.”

The full list of nominees shall be announced on Wednesday, with tickets for the awards going on sale the same day. The Spotify Listeners’ Choice Award will be decided by a public vote.