BBC Radio Scotland has launched an award to find Scotland’s Singer/Songwriter of the Year.

The winner, to be chosen by a combination of ‘industry insiders’ and the votes of the public, will receive a variety of boots ti their career, in the form of gig slots, recording sessions and radio appearances.

Entrants have to be aged over 17 and be unsigned, perform solo and write their own material.

The winner will be announced on BBC Music Day in September at a special event hosted by Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross, who also hosts BBC Radio Scotland’s show Another Country.

They will then have the chance to perform on BBC Radio Scotland; have a promo video made by BBC Scotland, and be added to the bills of TRNSMT Festival; and King Tut’s New Year’s Revolution Festival in January 2020.

Entrants will be able to apply online via a link on the BBC Radio Scotland website, details of which will be released during the programme.

Entrants must submit short videos, featuring an original composition and a cover version of a favourite song, by 5pm on Friday 31 May.

The award will be judged by a panel of industry insiders, who will shortlist 10 acts who will then go to public vote in early September. The top four from the public vote will perform at a live final where the judges will select the recipient of the BBC Radio Scotland Singer/Songwriter of the Year 2019 award.

The final four will be mentored by songwriter and producer, Davie Scott (pictured), of The Pearlfishers, who also lectures on songwriting at the University of West Scotland

Budding songwriters can sign up at the BBC Scotland website.