2006 - Bodega  A sextet from Scotland with an innovative, global approach to Celtic music and a particular love of Gaelic language material.

2004/5 - Lauren MacColl Entering the Award was her first musical foray into England for the 18-year-old fiddler from Ross-shire, Scotland.

2003 - Jarlath Henderson  A fine young uilleann piper from Dungannon, Northern Ireland, who was 17 when he won the award.  

2002 - Uiscedwr  A young Manchester-based trio, Uiscedwr play fiddle, guitar and bodhran and aspire to create fast, new music with a traditional basis.

2001 - GiveWay  Four sisters from Edinburgh with a reputation for performing spirited Scottish tunes; their line-up is keyboards, violin, accordion and drums.

2000 - The Black Cat Theory  They won the 2000 title as a duo with jazz-tinged readings of traditional tunes for banjo and keyboards before blossoming into a punchy four-piece by adding bass and drums, later disbanding to pursue further education and solo careers.

1999 - 422  With their line-up of whistle, violin, guitar and accordion, 422 went on to perform at festivals across Europe and have since recorded three acclaimed albums.

1998 - Tim Van Eyken  A critically-acclaimed accordion player and singer, Tim is now an integral part of Waterson:Carthy and a recording artist in his own right.