Latest news with #ScotsLanguageAwards
The National
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Scots Language Awards officially launched for 2025
The Scots Language Awards — organised by Hands Up For Trad, a group that promotes traditional Scottish music in the mainstream media — was launched for 2025 on Thursday and will take place in Cumnock Town Hall, Ayrshire, again on 13 September. The annual ceremony aims to recognise figures and organisations that encourage use of the Scots language in wider society, and categories will include business, literature, community work and more. READ MORE: Home and half an island owned by famous Scottish shark hunter up for sale Simon Thoumire, Scots Language Award organiser and Hands Up For Trad creative director, said: "The Scots leid is gaun fae strength tae strength, and we're thrilled tae see the Scots Language Awards return tae Ayrshire, hame tae sic a rich cultural heritage. 'This event isn't jist a celebration o the wunnerfu talents in Scots music, literature, an community endeavors, but a recognition o the leid's vital role in oor Scottish identity. 'We can't wait tae bring the Scots language community thegither again, and wi' new initiatives lik the Scots Hoose school sessions, we're ensuring the next generation can share in the pride an passion for oor mither tongue. It's set tae be a nicht tae remember, an we cannae wait!' The launch coincides with 'Gies a Scots Poem Day' 2025, an initiative created by the Scottish Poetry Library, which aims to promote Scots language poetry in all of its forms, including Doric, Shetlandic and Dundonian. READ MORE: Deacon Blue issue update as bandmate 'seriously ill' in hospital East Ayrshire Provost, Claire Leitch, said: 'I'm awfa chuffed that the Scots Language Award will return tae East Ayrshire this year. I'm looking forward to gaun along, celebrating the talented performers and aw the folk fae across Scotland who are dedicated who are encouraging us to use oor 'mither tongue'! It's gonnae be another stoater o a nicht! 'For me, there's nuhun more important than staying true to who we aw ur, and encouraging oor communities and weans to use and celebrate the Scots language. 'Definitely get yersel a ticket quick. As Jack fae Still Game says - "He who hingeth aboot getteth heehaw!' Hands Up For Trad are also partnering with learning resource Scots Hoose to deliver Scots language lessons in schools across the country. A range of musicians and poets will perform at the ceremony this year, including Edinburgh Scots singer Amy Leach and local Burns purveyor Wullie Dick. Scots Language Awards nominations will be open from July 28 until August 10, with voting for shortlisted nominees taking place from August 25 until September 7. Further information regarding ticketing will be available on the event's website soon.
The Herald Scotland
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Scots Language Awards to return for 2025 with school lessons to start
The annual celebration is for all involved in the promotion of Scots, one of the country's designated indigenous languages. Award organisers Hands Up For Trad will work alongside Scots Hoose to deliver Scots language sessions to schools across the country. Scots speakers across Scotland are being asked to share their favourite Scots poems for the Gies a Scots Poem initiative, which is now in its third year. Poems representing the breadth of Scots spoken across the country, such as Doric Shetlandic and Dundonian are included. This will be the seventh edition of the Scots Language Awards with categories spanning business, literature, work in the community and more, and it will be hosted by Taylor Dyson and Scots creative Lynne Campbell. Scots music and poetry will be performed by the likes of Ellie Beaton, Amy Leach, Catriona Hawksworth and local Burns purveyor Wullie Dick. Scots Leid Award organiser an Hands Up For Trad Creative Director, Simon Thoumire haed thae wirds: "The Scots leid is gaun fae strength tae strength, and we're thrilled tae see the Scots Language Awards return tae Ayrshire, hame tae sic a rich cultural heritage. 'This event isn't jist a celebration o the wunnerfu talents in Scots music, literature, an community endeavors, but a recognition o the leid's vital role in oor Scottish identity. We can't wait tae bring the Scots language community thegither again, and wi' new initiatives lik the Scots Hoose school sessions, we're ensuring the next generation can share in the pride an passion for oor mither tongue. It's set tae be a nicht tae remember, an we cannae wait!' Read More East Ayrshire Provost Claire Leitch said: 'I'm awfa chuffed that the Scots Language Award will return tae East Ayrshire this year. I'm looking forward to gaun along, celebrating the talented performers and aw the folk fae across Scotland who are dedicated who are encouraging us to use oor 'mither tongue'! It's gonnae be another stoater o a nicht! 'For me, there's nuhun more important than staying true to who we aw ur, and encouraging oor communities and weans to use and celebrate the Scots language. 'Definitely get yersel a ticket quick. As Jack fae Still Game says - "He who hingeth aboot getteth heehaw! 'As this announcement is launching on 'Gies a Scots Poem Day' - I'd like tae share part o a poem by Robert Burns that offers hope and change for unity across the world - "For a' that, an' a' that, It's comin yet for a' that, That Man to Man the warld o'er, Shall brithers be for a' that." To me, means doesn't matter who ye ur, yer worth isn't defined by wealth, status or oacht other than just being a decent human being. 'Hope tae see you all on the night!'
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Dundee and Angus Scots Scriever announced
The post follows successful appointments in previous years with Alison Miller as Orcadian Scriever in 21/22, Shane Strachan as Doric Scriever in 22/23, and Susi Briggs as Dumfries and Galloway Scriever in 23/24. This year, the Library specifically sought applicants working in Dundee and Angus. Dyson is a writer and performer from Dundee. She is passionate about the Scots language, and has hosted the Scots Language Awards for the last two years. Winner of the Scottish Book Trust's 'New writers 2025' award for Spoken Word, Dyson recently adapted an NHS book for new parents into Dundonian Scots. She is passionate about women's stories, working-class stories and representation in the arts. READ MORE: 'A-Aye': Will artificial intelligence be a boon for Scots? National Library of Scotland unveils centenary programme Scotland's first-ever Gaelic Poetry Path launches on Skye She said: 'I am honoured and absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious residency, and follow in the footsteps of folk I greatly admire. Promoting and encouraging Scots means so much to me, so to have the opportunity to continue to do this in a supported environment is so exciting. When I was starting out as a playwright, connecting to the language I was brought up speaking helped me find my voice as an artist. And I would love to help others do the same. I cannot wait to get started on creating work across theatre, poetry and story and connecting with communities in my hometown over the importance of language and how it can empower us to find our voices.' Dyson co-runs the award-winning theatre duo, Elfie Picket Theatre, alongside her partner, and they focus on new writing. Her recent work includes Goodbye Dreamland Bowlarama and Pushin' Thirty at A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Dolly Parton Saved My Life (a community tour), and the ART Award winning one-woman show, Ane City, which has performed in Prague, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Dundee Rep Theatre. She also runs the monthly poetry night, BLETHER, at Sweet Venues in Dundee. Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland, said: "As the new Scots Scriever for Dundee and Angus, Taylor Dyson will be stepping into the footsteps of writers who have previously championed Orkney, Aberdeenshire, and Dumfries and Galloway. As a playwright and poet, she will not only have the time and space to develop her own creative work in Dundonian Scots but will have a platform to promote the Scots language across the region and further afield.' Taylor Dyson has been appointed as the Dundee and Angus Scots Scriever, where she will take up a year-long residency with the National Library of Scotland. (Image: National Library of Scotland) As Dundee and Angus Scriever, Dyson will produce original written work in Scots. The residency allows time for the exploration of the rich and extensive Scots language collections held at the National Library. Dyson will contribute to raising the profile, understanding and appreciation of the Scots language in general. Martha Burns Findlay, Head of Public Programmes at the National Library of Scotland, said: "This year we're celebrating 100 years of the National Library of Scotland. As the proud guardians of Scotland's cultural heritage, we not only preserve a historic record of the Scots language, but we also champion the vitality of Scots today. Taylor embodies the dynamism and vibrancy of Dundee and Angus' rich linguistic culture, and we're looking forward to working with her as our new Scots Scriever." Dyson's latest work, Goodbye Dreamland Bowlarama, is showing at the Oran Mor, Glasgow, from Monday May 12 to Saturday May 17. The play is a fish-out-of-water comedy, with original songs, about a lonely young woman who moves to Dundee in search of community. The 12-month post is funded by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. Dyson will begin her residency in June 2025.
