Scots Language Publication Grant 2022

Jun 21, 2022

The recipients of the Scots Language Publication Grant were announced on Monday with some familiar names mixed in with some new ones.

The new titles which will be supported by the Grant are as follows:

  • ‘Animal Fairm’, edited by Thomas Clark (Published by Luath Press) – The first ever translation of George Orwell’s famous book into Scots.
  • ‘Birds and Beasties: Scots Poems for Bairns’ by J.K Annand and edited by Matthew Fitt and James Robertson (Working title and will be published by Itchy Coo/Black & White Publishing Limited) – Annand’s volumes of rhymes were first published in the 1960s and 1970s. They are written in classical Scots, but are easily accessible and are entertaining.
  • ‘Cedric the Flapper Skate’ by Jackie Ross (Published by Doric Books) – A picture book telling the story of a flapper skate and sharing important information about this endangered species.
  • ‘Da Hametrowe Almanac Volume 1: Voar’ by Roseanne Watt and Marjolein Robertson (Published by Gaada) – A series of four publications bringing together Shetland’s natural lore, legends and wisdom. ‘Voar’ is the Shaetlan word for spring and the work that happens at that time of year.
  • ‘Liberties’ by Peter Bennett (Published by Rymour Books) – A novel written in Glaswegian Scots, with Bennett committed to representing working class characters from his area of the city, Shettleston. This novel tackles the themes of addiction, crime and poverty.
  • ‘Mum and William Wordsworth’ by Julie Kennedy – This novel is predominantly written in the Lanarkshire Dialect of Scots and is about the loss of a parent in a large working class famly. The main themes of the novel include family and sibling relationships, being a young carer and homelessness.
  • ‘Sangs That Sing Sae Sweit – 50 Years o Lallans Poetry’, edited by William Hershaw, Elaine Morton and Derrick McClure (Published by The Scots Language Society) – An anthology of Scots Language poetry taken from 100 issues and 49 years of the Lallans magazine. It includes the works of some of the greatest Scots Language writers from Hugh MacDiarmid to the newer Scots makars.
  • ‘The Ballads and Songs of Carrick’ by Rev. Roderick Lawson and edited by Neil McDermott (Published by Girvan Traditional Folk Festival) – A republished version of the historical Carrick songbook in partnership with Taigh na Teud music publishers and the School of Culture & Creative Arts at the University of Glasgow.
  • ‘The King o’ the Cats’ by Paul Tonner and translated by Dr Michael Dempster – An illustrated retelling of a classic, but sometimes forgotten folk tale by Paul Tonner which features talking cats and spooky graveyards.

The Scottish Language Publication Grant is administered by the Scots Language Resource Network, which meets twice a year and includes representatives from organisations including Scots Radio.

The deadline for Young Scots Writer o the Year is also at 12pm on Friday 24th June, with the competition open to entrants between the ages of 11-18.