The inaugural Battle of the Bothy Bands came to a spectacular conclusion at the 2026 GWCT Scottish Game Fair, with Gracious being crowned the very first champions after an unforgettable weekend of live music at Scone Palace.

Across three days, six talented bands took to the NFU Mutual Summer Party Stage, entertaining crowds with a vibrant mix of original music and crowd-pleasing covers. From the opening performances by Celtic Spirit and Bruach on Friday, through to Broho and The Midnight Special on Saturday, before Gracious and John B’s Daughter rounded off the competition on Sunday, each act brought its own unique sound, energy and personality to the stage.

With the final result decided through an equal combination of judges’ scores and public votes, the competition remained on a knife edge until the very end. Every vote counted, and after an incredibly close contest, it was Gracious who emerged victorious to become the first-ever winners of the Battle of the Bothy Bands.

The Glasgow-based five-piece wowed both the judging panel and the audience with a high-energy performance that showcased exceptional musicianship and commanding stage presence. Featuring Cristine McConville (vocals), Melissa Martin (bass), Lee Perston (guitar), Milo McDade (drums) and Leila Saunders (guitar), the band delivered a performance that left a lasting impression throughout the competition.

In recognition of their victory, Gracious were presented with a £1,000 winner’s cheque by Kirsty Simpson of NFU Mutual and David Gibson of the GWCT Scottish Game Fair.

The GWCT Scottish Game Fair congratulates Gracious on their well-deserved win and extends its thanks to all six bands who made the inaugural Battle of the Bothy Bands such a fantastic success. Their performances brought an incredible atmosphere to the NFU Mutual Summer Party and provided visitors with a memorable soundtrack to the weekend.