It's safe to say that 2019 has been a mammoth year for creativity and innovation in Scotland. From award-winning albums to groundbreaking theatrical works, we cover it all in our annual countdown of the figures who we feel have made the greatest impact on arts and culture in the country throughout the year. But The List's Hot 100 has a twist this time: we've got a Top 19 for 2019, though beyond that we're celebrating everyone equally because as we head towards 2020 and reflect back on the past decade, we feel that the Scottish cultural landscape is as healthy, bold and exciting as it's ever been.

Gary Meikle

Discovering that a third of his social media audience is from the US has opened up whole new avenues for the Glasgow comic who played his iBrow Guy show this year in prestigious venues such as the Usher Hall and Royal Concert Hall (BD).

Susie McCabe

A big year for the Glasgow stand-up as she signed to one of the heavyweight UK comedy agents, scooped two prizes at the Scottish Comedy Awards (best solo show and top headliner), and gained plenty plaudits for her latest Fringe show, Domestic Disaster. (BD)

Janey Godley

Janey Godley beat stand-up giants Frankie Boyle and Kevin Bridges (and her rising-star daughter Ashley Storrie) to win the main comedy prize at The Herald's Scottish Culture Awards, and has embarked on her Soup Pot tour both north and south of the border. (BD)

Amy Matthews

On the back of being named Best Newcomer at the Scottish Comedy Awards, Amy Matthews laid on a 30-minute taster of her observational whimsy at Monkey Barrel in August, proving she's one to watch in the coming years. (BD)

Stephen Buchanan

credit: Steve Ullathorne

Enjoying the past 12 months as the Scottish Comedian of the Year has lifted this Glasgow comic above the competition and he made a solid Pleasance Courtyard Fringe debut with Baby Dove, the moving story of his mum giving a home to a Vietnamese refugee. (BD)

Ashley Storrie

credit: Steve Ullathorne

Ashley Storrie's ascent into the pantheon of Scottish comedy continues apace. This year's Fringe show, Hysterical, demonstrated a burgeoning maturity as the comedian tackled depression and the crippling apathy she battled before finding her calling as one of the country's most promising comedians. (MR)

Limmy

His raw and uncompromising autobiography, in which he discussed his mental-health battles candidly, flew off the shelves. Who'd have thought Truck Simulator could be used for comedic purposes? Streaming karaoke duets on Twitch? No one does daft like this national treasure. (CA)

Still Game

credit: Graeme Hunter

Craiglang's most popular residents said their final goodbye to audiences with a stint at The Hydro after 17 years of hilarious Scottish banter. One of Scotland's greatest comedies came to an end but, as Victor (Greg Hemphill) himself would say, 'that's plenty, Jack'. (SM)

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