WATCH: Top artists pick their favourite Scottish albums of all time, from Paolo Nutini to Biffy Clyro

Scotland’s top artists have picked their favourite albums of all time to celebrate the Scottish Album of the Year Award – and it turned out to be an eclectic mix of music.

Previous winners of the prestigious award, along with this year’s eligible artists – including Deacon Blue and The Snuts – have chosen what they deem to be the best Scottish record, with rockers Biffy Clyro and, unsurprisingly, Paolo Nutini up there in the list.

A record number of over 300 albums have been submitted for this year’s SAY Award – now in its ninth year – demonstrating the incredible talent of Scotland’s music scene.

There are two days to go until submissions for 2020 close, with organisers of the award – which is widely recognised as one of the country’s most reputable – encouraging artists, music professionals and fans to submit the album they think could be in with a chance of winning.

Offering one of the most lucrative prize funds in the UK, the SAY Award winner will collect a £20,000 cash prize, whilst nine runners up are each awarded £1,000.

Alumni of the award include Honeyblood, Kobi Onyame and Sacred Paws.

Sacred Paws – who won the accolade in 2017 and are in the running for the 2020 award – chose Appendix Out’s ‘The Rye Bears a Poison’ as their favourite album, as well as Camera Obscura’s ‘My Maudlin Career’.

Rachel of the band said: “I first heard Camera Obscura before I’d ever been to Glasgow before, I hadn’t really spent that much time in Scotland so it was really exciting to come to the place where they were from because I was such a huge fan. I think Traceyanne has got the most wonderful voice and is an amazing songwriter and lyricist.”

Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue chose The Blue Nile’s ‘Hats’, saying: “I listen often and still love it from beginning to end. Ultimately it is the songs, they still move me.”

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The Snuts’ Callum chose Franz Ferdinand’s 2004 self-titled debut but also gave a special shout out to fellow eligible album The Ninth Wave’s ‘Infancy’.

Callum said: “‘Franz Ferdinand’ is just big tune to big tune! Also The Ninth Wave’s ‘Infancy’ is amazing, well worth a listen. Special shout out to Runrig as well who are 30 years in the game and still smashing it, every year. It’s wild!”

Tide Lines had a hard time narrowing their choices down, saying: “Turns out all four of us have got different favourite Scottish albums! We spoke about ‘Opposites’ by Biffy Clyro, Twin Atlantic’s ‘Vivarium’ and Runrig’s ‘The Cutter and the Clan’ was a big one for a few of us growing up in the Highlands. But I get the casting vote so I’m going to go for a live album from one of our favourite venues we were lucky enough to play last November – it’s Deacon Blue’s ‘Live at the Glasgow Barrowlands’.”

The collection of albums has been added to a playlist for fans to enjoy.

The winner of the Scottish Album of the Year Award will be announced on Thursday 29th October.

All submissions must be made before midnight on Friday 31st July 2020. To submit albums, plus view eligibility criteria and guidelines for the 2020 award – visit  www.sayaward.com.