Claire Kinnaird: Award-Winning Radio Voice, Event Host and Creative Force of Scottish Broadcasting

Claire Kinnaird is an award-winning Scottish radio presenter, producer, content creator and event host with more than a decade of experience in UK broadcasting. Best known for her role on Original 106, Claire has built a respected career across commercial radio, live events, digital media and voiceover work. Recognised for her warm on-air personality, professionalism and creative drive, she has become a familiar and trusted voice for audiences across Scotland.

From breakfast radio studios in Aberdeen to major public events and community celebrations, Claire Kinnaird represents a modern broadcaster who blends entertainment, authenticity and experience.

Claire Kinnaird Age and Early Life

Claire Kinnaird was born in November 1985, making her 40 years old as of November 2025. She is Scottish by nationality and is based between Dundee and Aberdeen, Scotland.

Before entering broadcasting, Claire developed a strong creative foundation through music, performance and communication. These early influences later became central to her success in radio presenting and live hosting.

Education and Creative Foundations

Academic Background

Claire Kinnaird’s education reflects both creativity and technical skill:

• HND in Radio Broadcasting – Adam Smith College (2011–2013)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Music – University of Aberdeen (2003–2007)

Her studies covered music history, composition, performance, keyboard skills and teaching, providing a solid grounding in audio awareness, timing and performance—skills that translate seamlessly into radio broadcasting.

Career Beginnings and Early Experience

Entertainment and International Work

Before launching her radio career, Claire worked for several years in Pefkos, Rhodes (Greece) with an animation company. She progressed to Team Leader, managing children’s clubs, adult activities, live entertainment, quizzes and stage performances. This experience sharpened her confidence, crowd engagement skills and live hosting abilities.

Claire Kinnaird Radio Career

Entry into Broadcasting

Claire’s professional radio journey began with roles in traffic and travel broadcasting and audio editing. These early positions helped her master live broadcasting discipline, concise communication and time-sensitive reporting.

Major Broadcasting Roles

Bauer Media Group – Tay FM

Claire Kinnaird spent nearly seven years at Tay FM, where she rose to prominence as a Breakfast Presenter on the popular show Wake Up With Webster.

Key achievements at Tay FM:

• Silver ARIA Award – Best Local Show (2018)

• BMA – Station of the Year (Under 1 Million TSA, 2019)

This period established Claire as a leading local radio voice and earned her industry-wide recognition.

Edge Media Group (Edinburgh)

Claire later joined Edge Media Group, presenting the Home Run show on a new commercial station in Edinburgh. The station was awarded a small-scale DAB licence, marking an important milestone in local digital radio development.

PLZ Soccer and Sports Media

As a freelance reporter for PLZ Soccer, Claire covered football matches, prepared pre-match, half-time and full-time reports, and attended press conferences. This role highlighted her versatility and confidence in live sports reporting.

Original 106 – Breakfast Presenter

Claire Kinnaird Original 106

Currently, Claire Kinnaird is the Breakfast Presenter on Original 106, broadcasting live from Aberdeen.

• Show: Claire & Pete at Breakfast

• Schedule: Weekdays, 6:00–10:00 AM

• Role: Co-host, presenter and on-air personality

On Original 106, Claire connects with listeners through music, conversation, local stories and humour, making her one of the most recognisable radio voices in the region.

Work Beyond Radio

Event Hosting

Claire Kinnaird is an experienced event host, regularly presenting:

• Ladies’ lunches

• Christmas lights switch-on events

• Children’s Halloween parties

• Black-tie gala dinners

• Community and charity events

Her live hosting style is energetic, inclusive and audience-focused.

Voiceover and Content Creation

In addition to radio, Claire works as a voiceover artist and content creator, delivering professional audio for brands, events and campaigns. She also manages digital content and social media projects.

Project Management and Digital Media

Claire currently works as a Project Manager for a digital company, overseeing social media campaigns and email distribution. This role demonstrates her ability to work behind the scenes as well as on the microphone.

Business and Professional Ventures

Claire Kinnaird is the Director of CK Media Ltd, a media company aligned with her broadcasting, hosting and content work. The company supports her freelance projects, collaborations and professional services.

Health Journey and Public Awareness

In 2024, Claire openly shared a significant health experience involving a thyroid lobectomy, where half of her thyroid was surgically removed due to a large goitre that was compressing her windpipe. The condition had gone undetected for several years despite earlier checks.

Following a complex operation and recovery period, Claire returned to work, with her voice largely restored. She used her platform to encourage others to listen to their bodies and seek medical advice when something feels wrong.

Personal Life and Interests

Volunteering and Animal Welfare

Claire Kinnaird is deeply passionate about animals. She volunteers with Guide Dogs, having fostered four guide dogs during their training and permanently rehomed one, Perry, who frequently features in her personal stories.

Lifestyle and Hobbies

Outside of work, Claire enjoys:

• Paddleboarding

• Travel and outdoor activities

• Lifestyle blogging

• Creating personal content around experiences and wellbeing

She describes herself as someone who enjoys finding fun in everyday life and bringing positivity into her work.

Social Media Presence

Claire maintains a strong and consistent online presence under the name On Air Claire:

• Instagram: Lifestyle, radio, travel and event content

• X (Twitter): Industry updates and personal commentary

• Facebook Page: Professional updates and audience engagement

Her social media reflects both her professional identity and authentic personality.

Honours and Awards

Industry Recognition

• Silver ARIA Award – Best Local Show (2018)
  Issued by The Radio Academy for the Tay FM Breakfast Show

• Ian Rankin Writing Scholarship (2012)
  Awarded during her studies at Adam Smith College, recognising creative writing talent within the Creative Industries sector

These honours highlight Claire Kinnaird’s excellence in broadcasting and creativity.

Skills and Professional Strengths

• Radio presenting and broadcasting

• Live event hosting

• Audio editing and production

• Voiceover delivery

• Digital media and content creation

• Social media management

• Project coordination

Why Claire Kinnaird Stands Out

Claire Kinnaird represents a new generation of broadcasters—multi-skilled, adaptable and deeply connected to their audience. Her journey from entertainment roles abroad to award-winning breakfast radio in Scotland reflects determination, creativity and resilience.

With her role on Original 106, her experience across major radio networks, and her ability to connect on and off air, Claire continues to be a respected and influential figure in Scottish media.

Quick Info

Field	Details
Full Name	Claire Susan Kinnaird
Known As	On Air Claire
Profession	Radio Presenter, Producer, Event Host, Content Creator
Current Radio Station	Original 106 FM
Current Show	Claire & Pete at Breakfast
Broadcast Time	Weekdays, 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Years Active	10+ years
Previous Station	Tay FM (Bauer Media)
Major Award	Silver ARIA Award – Best Local Show (2018)
Date of Birth	November 1985
Age	40 (as of 2026)
Nationality	British
Location	Dundee & Aberdeen, Scotland
Education	HND Radio Broadcasting (Adam Smith College); BA Music (University of Aberdeen)
Company	Director, CK Media Ltd
Volunteering	Guide Dogs (Foster Carer)
Pets	Dog mum to Perry
Website	onairclaire.co.uk
Social Media	Instagram & X (Twitter): @onairclaire

Conclusion

Claire Kinnaird is far more than a radio presenter. She is a creative professional, business director, event host and trusted media voice whose career spans radio, digital platforms and live events. With over ten years of broadcasting experience, major industry awards, and a strong personal brand, she remains a prominent and admired figure in UK radio.

As her career continues to evolve, Claire Kinnaird’s influence within Scottish broadcasting and media is set to grow even further.

FAQs

1. Who is Claire Kinnaird?

Claire Kinnaird is an award-winning Scottish radio presenter, producer, content creator and event host. She has over 10 years of experience in UK broadcasting and is widely recognised for her work in commercial radio, live events and digital media across Scotland.

2. How old is Claire Kinnaird?

Claire Kinnaird was born in November 1985. She is 40 years old as of 2026.

3. What radio station is Claire Kinnaird on now?

Claire Kinnaird currently presents breakfast radio on Original 106. She co-hosts Claire & Pete at Breakfast, broadcasting live from Aberdeen every weekday morning between 6am and 10am.

4. What is Claire Kinnaird’s role at Original 106?

At Original 106, Claire Kinnaird works as a Breakfast Presenter, engaging listeners with music, conversation, local stories and entertainment. She is one of the station’s leading on-air voices.

5. Did Claire Kinnaird work at Tay FM?

Yes. Claire Kinnaird previously worked at Tay FM as a Breakfast Presenter for nearly seven years. During her time there, the breakfast show won a Silver ARIA Award for Best Local Show (2018), making it a major highlight of her career.

NewsDip.co.uk