Article Source: Scots Language Awards
Last Updated: 27 August 2024 14:30
This year, for the first time, the event will be held in Ayrshire – a region steeped in Scots language, culture and tradition and home to celebrated poet Robert Burns.
Taking place at Cumnock Town Hall on Saturday 14 September in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, the sixth annual awards ceremony will celebrate the importance of the Scots leid – one of the country’s indigenous languages – and the people who champion its use in daily life, education, business, arts and culture.
Voting for this year’s Scots Language Awards opens today until Sunday 8 September. The incredible nominees span special individuals, organisations and initiatives based across the length and breadth of Scotland, from Galashiels to Shetland.
The nominees are:
Scots Writer o the Year, sponsored by National Library of Scotland
• Mae Diansangu
• Jim Mackintosh
• William Hershaw
• Tracy Anne Harvey
Scots Book o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Book Trust
• Poyums by Les Pennie
• Born in Kyle by Billy Kay
• Dwams by Shane Strachan
• Whit If? Scotland's History as it Micht Hiv Been by Hugh McMillan
• Collier Laddie by Rab Wilson
Scots Bairns Book o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Government
• The Hoolet Thit Couldnae Fly by Emma Grae
• Yum by Susi Briggs
• Let’s Explore Oor Richts translated by Laura Green
• Summer e Magic Scurry Riverbank Primary Aberdeen by Jackie Ross
Scots Teacher o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Qualifications Authority
• Danielle McNulty - New Cumnock Primary School, Ayrshire
• Amy Lord - The Liltin Lassies, Dunblane
• Ruth Roberton - Castlepark Primary School, Irvine
• Erin Houston - St. Margaret's High School, North Lanarkshire
Scots Schuil o the Year, sponsored by Itchy Coo/ Black & White Publishing
• New Cumnock Primary School, East Ayrshire
• Burgh Primary School, Galashiels
• Rigside Primary School, South Lanarkshire
• Lanark Primary School, South Lanarkshire
• Kilmarnock Academy, East Ayrshire
• Touch Primary School, Fife
• St Peter and Paul’s Primary School, Angus
• Braeview Academy, Angus
• Shortlees Primary School, East Ayrshire
Scots Cultural Project o the Year
• Doric Film Festival
• Blether Dundee
• Histroic Environment Scotland: Lithgae Palace
• Burns Museum
• Da Nicht Afore Yöl, Shetland
• Yaldi Books
Scots Educational Project o the Year
• Open University: Scots Language Teacher
• Rhymin Rab’s Ramble Education Trail
• Doric Bootcamp
• The Wee Gaitherin Heritage Exhibition 2024
Scots Community Project o the Year
• Sauchie Community Group: Scots Language Night
• Braw Clan
• Cullerlie Traditional Singing Weekend
• Linen Hall Library Ulster Scots Language Competition
Scots Stage Production o the Year
• Dracula
• Sunset Song
• My Doric Diary
• Pushing Thirty
Scots Performer o the Year, sponsored by TRACS
• Sam Allan
• Cheery Odin
• Martin O’Connor
• Chloe Matharu
The esteemed Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award and the Young Scots Writer o the Year award, sponsored by Education Scotland, will be presented by renowned Scots speakers Taylor Dyson and Shane Strachan on the night.
Entertainment during the ceremony comes from a host of local artists including musical performances from talented Coylton singer, flautist and guitarist Seán Gray, accomplished folksinger Claire Hastings with more to be announced. The house band will be the award winning duo Eryn Rae and Sophie Joint.
Attendees will also be treated to a recital from celebrated National Library of Scotland’s Scots Scriever Susi Briggs and a spoken word performance from writer, broadcaster and advocate Billy Kay and tickets for the night are available now.
Scots Leid Awards organiser an Hands Up For Trad Creative Director, Simon Thoumire said: “We are delichtit the day tae annoonce the nominees for this year’s Scots Leid Awards. An whit better place than Ayrshire, birthplace o Robert Burns, tae host the Award ceremony festivities on 14th September. It is sae excitin tae be able tae bring this national event tae the hertlands o Scotland - an we hae tae gie mony thanks tae East Ayrshire Cooncil for thir support in makin this cam tae pass.
“It is wunnerfu tae hae sic a muckle amoont o talent amang oor Scots leid performers, scrievers teachers an mair an we can haurdly wait tae celebrate thir achievemints at the forthcamin Awards ceremony. The leid is sic an importint pairt o oor Scottish cultur an national identity an a crucial creative ootlet for sae mony. It is oor privilege tae gie honour an respec tae that.
“Votin opens the day so noo, its ower tae you! Mak shair ye get yer votes in an we wull see ye at Cumnock Toon Ha’ oan Seturday 14th September.”
Provost Jim Todd said: “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see so many well kent names from East Ayrshire on the shortlist of nominees. There are so many people working exceptionally hard promoting Scots leid across Ayrshire and to see them shortlisted is just fantastic. The Scots Language in all its forms is a very expressive way of communication, we all love our brilliant words that are so descriptive and you know immediately when someone uses these words what they are talking about. I hope that the people of Scotland will show a similar passion and commitment, and get their votes in!
“I am really looking forward to the final at Cumnock Town Hall and to celebrating with these wonderful, talented people.”
As one of Scotland’s three indigenous languages, Scots continues to be a growing tongue. The Scots language has long been used by authors, spoken in our top films, and is experiencing a contemporary renaissance with almost half of Scotland’s population proficient in the language to some capacity. The Scots Language Awards were launched in 2019 to recognise this and the rich culture that is intrinsically linked to the language.
Voting for the Scots Language Awards is open until Sunday 8 September and votes can be cast now at www.scotslanguageawards.com
Tickets to attend the Scots Language Awards are available here: eastayrshireleisure.com
One of Glasgow's most iconic hotels, Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa, will be hosting its own luxurious take on the classic 'Burns Supper', at an exclusive event.
READ MORE
Iconic Glasgow West End restaurant Five March will celebrate the Bard with a four-course Burns feast on Sunday 25 January.
READ MORE
Glasgow Life Libraries is launching a wellbeing initiative encouraging people in Glasgow to borrow a Wintering Well Box from their local library.
READ MORE
Go Radio is excited to announce that the hugely popular Go Radio Football Show is now streaming live on YouTube.
READ MORE
The special-edition craft beer from Cold Town Beer raises vital funds for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, supporting its mission to find a cure for MND.
READ MORE
A stunning top floor bar and restaurant in Glasgow is giving people the chance to rise above the January blues with a free mood-boosting yoga class in the sky.
READ MORE
After more than four decades in Clydebank, Clyde 1 is returning to Glasgow's city centre, moving into an iconic new home at 100 Queen Street in Spring 2026.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn has partnered with Celtic Connections to stage the highest gig in the festival's history, with a live performance on the summit of Ben Lomond in winter.
READ MORE
Charity donations from generous Christmas shoppers at Buchanan Galleries helped amass an impressive £66,000 during the festive season alone!
READ MORE
Healthy, hearty and great value at just £15 per person - Mowgli's new Lite Tiffin launches this January.
READ MORE
One of the most iconic and beloved fantasy trilogies of all time, The Lord of The Rings, is returning to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
READ MORE
The Theatre Royal Glasgow is delighted to announce that The Shawshank Redemption, the acclaimed stage adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novella, will come to the venue in March!
READ MORE
Silverburn has welcomed a record 16.5 million visits over the past year, marking 2025 as its busiest year to date and underlining its status as Scotland's leading shopping and leisure destination.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble begins an exciting 2026 with the return of their Young Artist programme, helping to develop the next generation of Scotland's young string players.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting pet parents to celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved furry friends in selected stores across the country!
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!
READ MORE
A documentary about one of Scotland's most spontaneous and successful acts of civil resistance in recent memory will open Glasgow Film Festival's 22nd edition on 25th February!
READ MORE
If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!
READ MORE
The IRN-BRU Carnival is showing appreciation to any fellow fiery headed pals by offering a bonus ride voucher to anyone visiting with ginger hair on Sunday 11th January!
READ MORE
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Full casting has been announced for Legally Blonde: The Musical which will have its Scottish premiere at The King's Theatre Glasgow in April!
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORE
Silverburn guests can kick-start their 2026 wellness journey with the arrival of the first Haus of Pilates studio.
READ MORE
Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!
READ MORE
One very lucky youngster from Glasgow has been crowned the winner of an incredible festive giveaway – taking home all 15 toys featured on this year's coveted DreamToys list.
READ MORE
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE