Scottish Podcast Awards announced for June 2026

The first ever Scottish Podcast Awards will take place at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket on June 25 2026 - with support from local government.

The inaugural bash aims to recognise, encourage and celebrate the hundreds of passionate podcasters and producers shaping Scotland’s innovative and creative landscape.

With 23.3% of adults in Scotland now listening to podcasts weekly - higher than any other UK nation - according to the most recent Ofcom, organisers feel the time is ripe for an official ceremony.

Sixty Steps Productions, who have a presence in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee and a team of experts from events, marketing and the podcast world, have already begun engaging with partners across Scotland ahead of next years date.

Speaking at the launch of the Scottish Podcast Awards ceremony in Glasgow’s Saints of Ingram, director Corrinne Gardiner said: “Scotland’s podcasting community is bursting with talent, innovation and passion. These awards are about celebrating that community and giving it the national recognition it has long deserved.”

She continued: “We are all passionate consumers of podcasts and we have decades of event experience, so the opportunity to marry both sectors was too hard to resist. We established our new company, Sixty Steps Productions, to deliver this landmark cultural event.”

The company will also further develop live opportunities for podcasts and content creators in Scotland.

Corinne added: “Beyond celebrating the best in Scottish podcasting, our ambition is to create new opportunities for creators, supporting talent development, encouraging innovation and helping Scottish stories reach wider audiences. We’ve already begun engaging with partners for the Scottish Podcast Awards, and to be able to secure the historic Old Fruitmarket as the venue for the inaugural event on 25 June 2026 was such a boost to us, as we believe it has the perfect vibe for the first awards.“

Nominations are scheduled to open in January 2026 with further details of categories and criteria released in coming weeks.

Corrinne continued: “We had an amazing array of creative audio industry insiders, supporters, producers and podcasters attending our launch party in Glasgow- an evening of music, whisky cocktails courtesy of the outstanding Jackton Distillery, delicious nibbles from Saints of Ingram, and great conversation.”

“It has also been gratifying to receive strong encouragement from the offices of both Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and MSP and the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson MSP.”

Katie Duffy, Glasgow Life’s Head of Arts and Music, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting the inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards at the Old Fruitmarket. Scotland’s podcasting community is one of the most vibrant and fastest-growing in the UK, and it’s fantastic to see the emergence of a new platform that will recognise and celebrate that creative energy. As one of Scotland’s most iconic cultural venues, the Old Fruitmarket is the perfect home for this first-of-its-kind event and we’re looking forward to welcoming storytellers, creators, and industry champions to Glasgow for what promises to be an exciting milestone in the nation’s creative calendar.”

Dave Howard of the Scottish Audio Network and Secretary of Audio UK also said: “An emboldened Scottish podcasting sector would help to diversify voices, champion Scottish culture, and ensure inclusive storytelling.”