There are a huge number of superb Scottish ballad-singers (or do you just mean "singer?" I think 'balladeer' could mean either. The tradition is remarkable.   Re MacColl, I strongly recommend a visit to the wonderful comments Gaughan makes in his "Links in the Chain section: Clicky. Actually, Gaughan (and you must see him at the top of this "best" topic) has wonderful comments about a bunch of "best singers" there. And he ought to know. You could add not only Jeanie and her daughter and son but many of her kith & kin - Higgins, Stewart.

I was raised on MacColl and have over 60 of his records but hearing the 'gentle' singers like Enoch Kent, Gaughan, Norman Kennedy raised it to a new height for me.

I find I have no favorite - I might prefer one singer on one song and another on another song. I think it's a big mistake to suggest a possible favorite. Six or ten votes for a Hall of Fame, maybe. A favorite is absurdly limiting. How about Gaelic singers? Bothy singers? The styles vary too much to restrict to a single person.

But I voted anyway. For Ann Neilson (erstwhile of 'Stramash'). Based, sadly, on hearing only a single song, "The Banks o Skene" on one CD, Folk Songs of North-East Scotland. It's an utter knockout of a rendition (and a CD full of superb ballad singing.) I'd love to hear more of her.