Article Source: Scots Language Awards
Last Updated: 13 June 2024 14:12
The much anticipated awards ceremony, organised by Hands up for Trad, launches today on the Scottish Poetry Library’s ‘Gie’s a Scots Poem Day’, in a bid to highlight the importance of the Scots language in daily life, education, business, arts and culture.
As one of Scotland’s three indigenous languages, Scots is a growing tongue. The latest census saw the number of people in Scotland with some skills in Scots increase to over 46%, with speakers spanning several dialects, including Doric, and stretching across regions from the Borders to Orkney.
For the first time, the awards ceremony will be hosted in Ayrshire, an area with a rich history and close ties to the Scots language, with Lallan Scots widely spoken across the area’s mining towns and Alloway in South Ayrshire best known as the birthplace of Robert Burns.
Celebrating figures who champion the Scots language, categories at the sixth annual Scots Language Awards will include Scots Business of the Year, Scots Writer of the Year, Scots Teacher of the Year and the widely regarded Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award.
Hosted by celebrated Scots speakers Taylor Dyson and Shane Strachan, the event will also feature a host of incredible performances from local artists including Seán Gray, a singer, flute player and guitarist from Coylton in Ayrshire.
Scots Language Awards organiser and Hands up for Trad Creative Director, Simon Thoumire, said: “It’s fantastic to see the continued resurgence of Scots as one of the three languages of Scotland as more and more young Scots connect with their heritage every year. It’s so important that the language and culture is celebrated and what better place to do this than a region where the language is so loved.
“So many of us use Scots in our everyday lives, it is a proud part of our identity and these awards serve to mark that and promote the language’s relevance, potential, and the value it holds in modern Scotland. We’re delighted to bring the awards ceremony to Ayrshire this year and hope to see many Scots speakers join us for a braw celebration this September.”
East Ayrshire Provost Jim Todd said: “Well, this is braw news! Ayrshire is the perfect place to hold the Scots Language Awards.
“Back in 2022, Amanda Dunn from Shortlees Primary School was recognised as teacher of the year after being nominated by parents and carers from the school for her work promoting the Scots language.
“Scots Language is an important part of our heritage, it is the language of our national poet Robert Burns and I am delighted that there has been a huge rise in interest in the language. Scots ought tae be part o iviry day livin.”
First launched in 2019, the Scots Language Awards recognise the amazing efforts and work of the people and organisations who all use and speak Scots’ unique culture, music and words. The events’ partners include East Ayrshire Council, Scottish Government, National Library of Scotland, Education Scotland, Creative Scotland, SQA, Scottish Book Trust, Itchy Coo and B&W Publishing.
Scots Language Awards nominations will be open from 22nd July - 4th August with the vote taking place between 26th August - 8th September. The 2024 awards ceremony will take place at Cumnock Town Hall on 14th September 2024. Visit www.scotslanguageawards.com for more information.
The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MOREAudiences packed Paisley's Town Hall and Arts Centre for inaugural event with former MP-turned-stand up performer among the headliners.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MORERockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has announced the BBC Introducing Stage, previously River Stage, will showcase 20 of the most exciting emerging artists in the country.
READ MOREPaisley's Busy Bees Spring Trail is buzzing into town from Friday April 4th to Monday 21st April.
READ MOREA Renfrewshire youth pipe band are going to the annual Tartan Day parade in New York for the first time.
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is hopping into spring as it hosts 40 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care in April!
READ MOREInnis & Gunn joins forces with top Scottish comedian Marc Jennings to find Scotland's funniest pub stories for 'The Book of Pub Banter & Confessions'.
READ MOREThink yer funny, aye? Then now's your chance to show it... an Open Mic Night takes place on Friday 4th April as part of the first Paisley Comedy Festival.
READ MORELocal businesses are being supported to grow and expand into empty ground floor town centre premises thanks to grant funding provided by Renfrewshire Council.
READ MOREGarden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with wildflowers and springtime celebrations.
READ MORERockstar Energy presents TRNSMT has revealed five new artists to the Glasgow Green billing, including two of the hottest UK acts right now, JADE and Myles Smith!
READ MOREMore than 30 historic seasonal sites across the country will reopen to visitors from Tuesday 1st April, as Historic Environment Scotland marks the start of its spring/summer season.
READ MOREHundreds of schoolchildren across Renfrewshire will delve into the world of writing as part of this year's Paisley Book Festival.
READ MORETo coincide with World Theatre Day this Thursday (27 March), Vue venues in Scotland are bringing a selection of British productions to the big screen this spring.
READ MOREAn organisation that runs youth hostels across Scotland is launching an initiative to provide free stays for disadvantaged young people and families.
READ MOREBBC Radio 1 Dance is taking over the much-loved Boogie Bar to bring some of the best dance music to Glasgow Green this summer on 11-13th July!
READ MOREUB40 ft. Ali Campbell are set to light up Falkirk as part of Kelpies Live at Helix Park, marking a triumphant return to Scotland for one of music's most iconic acts.
READ MORETo mark Food Waste Action Week (17th – 23rd March), Aldi is calling on children in Scotland to design a poster that encourages people to reduce food waste.
READ MOREWith three 18-carat golden girders worth £10,000 still out there, IRN-BRU unveils giant hanging girder to encourage Scots to get on the hunt!
READ MOREFrom Wallace & Gromit to Sonic the Hedgehog, there’s plenty to enjoy at Vue venues across Scotland this Easter break.
READ MOREFamilies in Renfrew and the wider Glasgow area can now look forward to hours of fun and adventure as a brand-new instagrammable role play village has teased its opening for April.
READ MORELoch Lomond Springfest, one of Scotland's biggest FREE food festivals, is back on the 5th and 6th April at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORETo mark World Sleep Day, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is introducing the Sleep Retreat Essential Spa Break, designed to help guests prioritise rest and relaxation.
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns next month and looks set to be the biggest yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before.
READ MOREOver 200 of Renfrewshire secondary school pupils have been given a unique insight into creative and cultural careers through a bespoke programme.
READ MOREOver 2,000 years of history will be celebrated this summer as Historic Environment Scotland announces its 2025 summer events programme!
READ MOREJewellery lovers, get ready! Braehead Shopping Centre is bringing something truly special to Scotland this month.
READ MOREGet ready, Scotland! Ideal Home Show Scotland sponsored by EcoFlow is back at Glasgow's SEC from 23rd - 26th May 2025 and we're delighted to offer free tickets to our followers!
READ MORE