Daniel Thorpe, originally from Inverurie, began playing the fiddle aged seven and has previously played with the Garioch Fiddlers and the National Children's Orchestra of Scotland. He won a place at the prestigious National Centre of Excellence for Traditional Music in Plockton, Ross-shire.

After attending Inverurie Academy, Daniel graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama where he gained BA hons in Scottish Music. He has been a regular participant in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival as part of "Splore", the festival's traditional music summer school.

A previous finalist, this year Daniel battled it out with five other of Scotland's finest young musicians at the grand final, which was presented by by Mary Ann Kennedy and broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland as part of the Celtic Connections festival.

Daniel was delighted with his musical accolade saying, "I am absolutely delighted and surprised. I'm still coming to terms with winning, I've got a permanent smile on my face and I think it'll be there for the next three weeks!"

Daniel is currently performing with ceilidh band 'Heuch' and Canterach with whom he has performed all over Europe. He has been involved in many collaborations and has been chosen by AIYF to represent them at the International Festival for Emerging Artists. He has also performed at the Speaker's House in London, Holyrood Palace and was proud to entertain Scotland's Commonwealth Medalists at Stirling Castle.

Established to encourage young musicians to keep their traditional music alive, the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year award will provide Daniel with high profile performance opportunities; the opportunity to record a CD of his music; and the necessary tools and advice he requires to launch a career in traditional music, amongst other benefits.

All the finalists get one year's membership of the Traditional Music and Song Association (TMSA); a tour of Scotland organised by the TMSA; and a session on BBC Radio Scotland's Travelling Folk programme, presented by Archie Fisher.

Jeff Zycinski, Head of Radio, BBC Scotland, and Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop presented the winner with his trophy live on air and in front of an approving audience.

Jeff Zycinski said: "It was a great night with a truly fantastic line up of young musicians. We had listeners across Scotland and around the world waiting to hear the judges' decision. The excitement around this event never fades and Daniel now becomes the tenth person to hold the title of BBC Radio Scotland Young Musician of the Year. All the previous winners have gone on to enjoy great success and I'm certain that will be true for Daniel."

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop said, "Congratulations to Daniel on this wonderful achievement. This award is hugely important in making sure we recognise and nurture the talent of young traditional musicians in Scotland. The traditional arts are absolutely central to Scottish culture and that is why the Scottish Government is committed to ensuring arrangements are in place to enable them to continue to make a positive contribution to Scotland's cultural, heritage, economic, educational and community life."

BBC Radio Scotland has supported the Young Traditional Musician Of The Year Awards since it launched in 2000. For past competitors, winning the title has proved to be a major springboard towards a professional career in music with previous winners including Red Hot Chilli Pipers musician Stuart Cassells in 2005, Gaelic singer James Graham in 2004 and guitarist Ewan Robertson in 2008.