Nominees announced for Scots Language Awards 2024

The nominees have been unveiled for the Scots Language Awards 2024, with 50 outstanding organisations and individuals in the running for 12 awards at the annual ceremony next month.

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

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