2005 was a tremendous year for Julie Fowlis during which she has scaled new heights in her blossoming career, culminating in her performing in BBC Scotland's Hogmanay Programme, directed and co-hosted by Phil Cunningham.

The appearance was a springboard for the challenges of 2006 and tonight (Tuesday 7 February 2006) she scooped the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award at a glittering ceremony held in London, hosted by Radio 2¹s Mike Harding, and attended by a host of celebrities.

Julie was raised in North Uist and later in Ross Shire, and has been involved in music, song and dance from a very early age. She studied music at the University of Strathclyde, and it was during this time that she joined successful young group, Dòchas who released their first album in 2002.

Since giving up her job as Education Development Officer for Traditional Music and Gaelic song to pursue a full time career in music, she has won the prestigious Pan Celtic Sean Nòs Singing competition 2004, recorded the follow-up album with Dòchas, and has been nominated for Best Gaelic Singer at the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004, where Dòchas won the Best Up and Coming band.