FORTH AWARDS 2024: CROWNS THE BEST OF EDINBURGH
The Forth Awards, presented by OT, have once again crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East - with local heroes celebrated alongside huge names from the entertainment world including Callum Beattie, Hue and Cry, Susie McCabe and more.
Last updated 15th Nov 2024
The best of Edinburgh being celebrated at the sold-out Forth Awards 2024!
A sold out Usher Hall enjoyed surprise performances from the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Scottish singing star Nathan Evans, 80s icons Heaven 17, Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton and more, as well as a charity auction raising money for Forth 1’s Cash for Kids.
Forth 1 presenters including Boogie and Arlene, Garry Spence and more handed out awards to celebrities and local heroes alike, with 10 awards in total handed out across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.
THE FORTH BEST ARTIST AWARD WITH VICTOR PARIS
WINNER: CALLUM BEATTIE
The afternoon kicked off with an electrifying performance from homegrown hero, Edinburgh singer Callum Beattie, who picked up the Forth Best Artist Award before entertaining the crowd with hits Salamander Street, Something In My Eye, and Heart Stops Beating.
THE FORTH VISITOR ATTRACTION AWARD
WINNER: CAMERA OBSCURA
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a tourist attraction located in Outlook Tower on the Castlehill section of the Royal Mile close to Edinburgh Castle. The original attraction was founded by entrepreneur Maria Theresa Short in 1835 and was exhibited on Calton Hill. Outlook Tower has been a museum since the late 1890s and is currently home to many interactive exhibits, including the original Camera Obscura.
THE FORTH BEST TEACHER AWARD WITH OMNI
WINNER: MR RORY SWANN, QUEENSFERRY HIGH SCHOOL
Mr Rory Swann is a geography teacher from Queensferry High School.
Mr Swann started a cycling after school club for the pupils to enjoy.
He teaches bike maintenance as well as skills on the bikes. He has arranged for a cabin to store bikes and has sourced bikes so any pupil who does not have their own bike can still participate in the club., making it inclusive to all pupils. He recently took the cycling club to compete at competition at Comrie Croft in 2023 and is hoping to compete again in 2025.
Nominations said that Mr Swann was a very valued member of the school. Not only promoting a healthy lifestyle and educating the children on the importance of exercises and also ensuring the understanding of the mechanics of bicycles.
THE FORTH FRINGE AWARD WITH WATERMANS
WINNER: SUSIE MCCABE
After a successful career working in the construction industry Susie has cemented herself as one of rising stars of UK stand up. Her rise through the ranks has been nothing short of meteoric.
She continues to be one of the fastest selling acts at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, with multiple Scottish comedy awards under her belt for Best Headliner and Best Show which she collected for her Solo show Domestic Disaster. Susie even took it to Edinburgh Fringe for a sold out run in 2019.
THE FORTH CASH FOR KIDS AWARD WITH NEWTOWN DÉCOR
WINNER: LEWIS GOURLAY
1\6 year old, Lewis Gourlay from Dunbar is a young surfer with The Wave Project Scotland.
Lewis was referred to The Wave project 6 years ago for surf therapy. He completed his initial 6 weeks surf therapy course, joined the surf club and has made gentle progressions ever since.
This Spring his sister was referred to Wave and Lewis began his journey into volunteering.
Lewis has taken his love for the sea and wave project and decided to share it with others. He has gone from being the surfer that needs support to the one giving support to others. He does this with genuine care and kindness. He is sensitive to their struggles and anxieties and goes out of his way to make them laugh, feel comfortable and get the most out of their sessions.
He has been assisting as a surf coach and takes his water safety and responsibilities to his surfers very seriously
THE FORTH CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC AWARD WITH THE LIQUID ROOM
WINNER: HUE AND CRY
Hue and Cry have sold tens of thousands of concert tickets worldwide. As well as performing alongside some of the greatest artists in music history – appearing with U2, James Brown, Madonna, Al Green and Van Morrison to name but a few, the band have undertaken a multitude of their own headline tours and made numerous festival appearances.
The band were recognised by their peers when they were presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Music Awards.
Having made a welcome return to performing in front of audiences in both their ‘stripped’ duo and ‘full band’ set-ups, Hue and Cry have announced their 40th Anniversary Tour in October / November 2024 – a year when they will continually release a carefully curated selection of rare material from their personal archive along with accompanying memorabilia and commentary.
THE FORTH BEST WORKPLACE AWARD WITH FUSE
WINNER: MURRAYSIDE CARE HOME
Suzanne Welsh is the Care home manager of Murrayside Care Home in Edinburgh.
Described in her nominations as a ‘true, passionate and dedicated leader’ Suzanne received hundreds of nominations from staff and residents of the care home.
Suzanne is a forward-thinking manager and is always there for her staff. Staff members describe her as ‘selfless’ and has helped several members of foreign staff receive sponsorship to ensure they can continue to work at home.
Suzanne listens, communicates and takes actions when needed. She is a unique boss and the staff at Murrayside Care Home would be lost without her.
Suzanne last year organised to support ALL staff to ensure that their children had the best Christmas, she has organised a food bank for our staff, and throws random staff appreciation days
She herself lost her step son at the end of last year. Suzanne has a heart of gold, she hides it well , but she would go to the end of the earth for anyone.
THE FORTH LOCAL HERO AWARD WITH EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS
WINNER: STEVEN MACLENNAN
Steven Mclelland from Baberton, Edinburgh was the first person on site at a tragic gas explosion fire at one of his neighbours’ homes.
Steven, alongside some of his neighbours lead the team by going headfirst into the rubble of the exploded house to recuse 2 of his neighbours from the burning building who were trapped.
Mr MacLennan, who has served in the Army Reserves for 20 years, with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, said he had never seen such a scene before.
The neighbours and wider community think Steven’s bravery and courage should be recognised far and wide. If Steven hadn’t acted so bravely, the outcome could have been very different
THE FORTH BEST RESTAURANT AWARD WITH HERITAGE PORTFOLIO
WINNER: JACK O BRYANS
Situated in Dunfermline, Jack O Bryan’s Restaurant is the place to go to feast on whilst you are visiting Fife.
The restaurant brings together the beauty of Scotland’s natural larder with the richness of Asian or Iberian cuisine. They aim to champion the very best produce from here in Scotland and to marry it with flavours, fragrances and textures from around the world.
The restaurant was described by listeners as a ‘their favourite dining experience in Dunfermline with many describing it as a warm, friendly place to dine with exceptional staff and management’
THE FORTH ICON AWARD WITH THE EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
WINNER: HEAVEN 17
Known for their sophisticated, synth-driven sound paired with socially conscious lyrics, they gained popularity with hits like "Temptation," "Let Me Go," and "Come Live with Me."
Heaven 17’s music often explored themes of consumerism, politics, and class, blending electronic pop with elements of funk and soul. Their 1983 album The Luxury Gap became a defining work, showcasing their signature blend of catchy hooks and provocative lyrics.
Though their commercial success waned after the 1980s, Heaven 17 has maintained a dedicated fanbase and continues to tour and release new music, remaining influential in the electronic and new wave music scenes.