24 April 2026

Awardee Blog: Laura Penman

Receiving a Dewar Award has kickstarted my musical career. It has given me the opportunity to purchase my electro harp, which has in turn allowed me to perform at various events across Scotland as both a soloist and with others, from Belladrum to Celtic Connections. My composition skills have improved, and I have been in the studio recording a debut album with my band Dàna. Recently, I was extremely grateful to receive additional support from the Ruth Wishart award. I’ll put this towards purchasing pedals to use alongside my electro harp and publish my own tune book.

I was utterly surprised and honoured to receive an invite to a Burns Night Reception at 10 Downing Street as a Dewar Award Recipient. It was a whirlwind of a week, from receiving the invite to organising a trip to London.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a bagpiper and three highland dancers. Once inside, there was a clarsach and fiddle duo, and we were treated to a rendition of two Burns poems. I met so many wonderful and inspirational people connected to Scotland, including a radio host based in Aberdeen Hospital and the Chief Executive of ScotsCare, a charity for Scottish people in London.

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to attend this event at 10 Downing Street as a Dewar awardee. The support I received from the Dewar award has been significant to my early music career, and I look forward to where it takes me in future.

To find out more about applying to the Dewar Arts Awards, visit: dewarawards.org/apply