Weel duin tae Hamish MacDonald wha hae bin nominatit in Scots Book o the Year (sponsored by Scottish Book Trust) in the Scots Language Awards. Vote now!
The 2026 Scots Language Awards tak place on Saturday 19th September at the iconic Discovery Centre, home of the RRS Discovery Ship (1pm). Reserve yer ticket here.
The awards will be a daytime event this year, making them as inclusive and accessible to as many award nominees from across Scotland as possible.
We askit Kim MacDonald o Hamish MacDonald thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
Self employed scriever wi a number o books published in baith English and Scots, wi Scots publications in fiction, poetry and various collections and anthologies.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
Writin, performin and everyday usage.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
For the same reason as any ither language, it is an inherent pairt o human expression.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
No really, it could chynge wi the weather gien the rowthiness o the leid.
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
Billy Kay.
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
A bide in Inverness noo whaur Scots usage is fairly inconsistent. A grew up on Clydeside where there have been noticeable chynges in register and pronunciation ower the years.
Ony particlar career heighlichts
The Robert Burns Fellowship for Dumfries &. Galloway Arts Association 2003-06, becoming first Scots Scriever at the National Library o Scotland 2015-17, winning the Scottish Slam poetry finals in 2022 and bein runner-up at the World Slam finals in Paris and semi-finalist at the World Slam finals in Rio de Janeiro, maistly wi poems performed in ma ain Glesga tongue. Becomin Bankies Bard for Clydebank Fitba Club.
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
Wurkin on new poetry collection, singin and performin.
Read more about Hamish MacDonald
http://hamishmacd.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HamishMacDonald
X / Twitter: @
Instagram: @hamishslambam
TikTok: @
The Scots Language Awards are in Dundee on the 19th September at 1pm. There wull be some grand entertainmint includin a recitals fae Yvonne Tait an Hugh Macmillan alang wi musical performances fae Iona Fyfe and Scott Gardiner.
To attend the Scots Language Awards there are a few tickets remaining. Click here to reserve your tickets.
Join Elfie Picket Theatre for the Scots language nicht BLETHER, fur a nicht o music, poetry and stories aa celebratin Scots Leid & culture. We hae twa special guests jynin us and a wee open mic. Leadin us intae a big Dundee Fringe Ceilidh! Startin at 6pm, tickets £10.
If you would like to support Hands Up for Trad in their work with Scottish language please consider donating here.