Weel duin tae Lingo Flamingo and the Open University wha hae bin nominatit in Scots Community Project o the Year 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 Robbie Norval o Lingo Flamingo and the Open University thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
Lingo Flamingo is a charity that eeses learnin leids tae improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and create opportunities for connection, particularly for auld fowk. In 2025 alane, we supportit 972 aulder fowk, gied classes in 58 care hames, whaur senior learners achieved 31 SQA qualifications. An we delivered 1,690 leid classes in oor community hub. We're biggin on academic research that found engagement wi leids has pouerfu benefits for health and weelbein, and can even delay the onset o dementia.
Oor work brings learnin leids intae care hames and community settings, where we eese accessible and enjoyable activities tae encourage conversation, reminiscence and social interaction. While we teach leids frae aa ower the warld, we ken that a leid can be especially pouerfu when it connects people wi their ain identity, memories and culture.
That’s been the inspiration behind oor Scots project wi the Open University. In 2026 we developed a Scots coorse an workbook thegither (here’s an example https://www.lingoflamingo.co.uk/scots-project) specifically for eese in care hames. And this year we hae awready delivered a significant programme o Scots language sessions: 125 classes, reachin 132 people across 12 coorse projects in the Borders, Greater Glesga, West Lothian, Sooth Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire with mony maer oan oor list waiting tae get startit wi their Scots lessons.
We’ve also trained six tutors tae deliver the sessions, helpin tae build the capacity for this much-requested meaningful engagement activity, and building the confidence needed tae eese Scots as a tool for learnin, engagement wi culture, reminiscence, weelbein and social connection.
Oor Scots class at Dementia Friendly Tweeddale in Peebles even haed a visit fae Calum Kerr, the local MSP, wha commended hoo weel the class wis run and pitched and said the worth o the class wis plain tae see within minutes o walkin through the door.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
It wis oor work in care hames that really got us thinkin aboot the importance o’ Scots. We began tae notice hoo familiar Scots words, phrases and expressions could spark memories, laughter and conversation amang the people we work wi. A wee word or saying could lead tae a story aboot somebody’s childhood, their family or the community they grew up in.
We saw particularly pouerfu moments amang people livin wi dementia. Familiar language could help spark recognition and give somebody a reason tae join in a blether.
That got us thinkin aboot Scots in a different way. It wisnae juist a leid that we could teach, it wis a leid that mony o’ oor learners already kent and had a deep personal connection wi.
That led tae the development o’ oor Scots Workbook wi the Open University. We wanted tae create a resource that could eese Scots tae encourage conversation, reminiscence and connection, while celebratin Scotland’s leids and culture.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
We believe Scots is an important pairt o’ Scotland’s culture, heritage and identity. It carries stories, humour, memories and expressions that hae been passed doon through generations.
For the people we work wi, Scots can be particularly meaningful because it is often connected tae their ain lives. A familiar word can take somebody back tae their childhood, their family, their work or the place they grew up in. We also believe there is a real wellbeing benefit. Eesin a leid that somebody recognises and feels comfortable wi can help create opportunities for conversation and connection.
For people who may be experiencin loneliness or livin wi dementia, these wee moments can be incredibly important. For us, Scots isnae something that should juist be kept for special occasions or discussed as part o’ Scotland’s history. It should be a livin leid that people feel comfortable eesin every day.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
A favourite for us is “a wee blether”.
It feels particularly appropriate tae Lingo Flamingo because so much o’ whit we dae is aboot conversation and connection. A wee blether might seem like a small thing, but in oor care hame classes it can be the start o’ somethin much bigger, a memory, a story, a laugh or a new connection between twa people.
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
The folk who inspire us maist are the people we work wi in care hames. They carry a huge amount o’ Scots language, stories and memories. Some o’ them grew up speakin Scots every day, and they hae an incredible knowledge o’ words and expressions that might otherwise be lost.
In addition tae oor students, Gerda Stevenson inspired us when she wrote a powerful poem called “Care Hame”, which is a bonnie piece o work. There’s somethin really pouerfu aboot the way Gerda eeses Scots tae gie a voice tae an auld wumman livin in a care hame. The story captures the experiences o’ ageing, care, memory and identity in a way that feels baeth deeply Scottish and universal.
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
Through oor work across Scotland, we hear Scots in mony different forms. The leid can vary greatly depending on where people are fae, and we love hearin the different words, expressions and accents that people bring tae oor classes. Oor senior learners absolutely love explorin Scots vocabulary and dialects fae aw ower Scotland.
We’ve also noticed that some words and phrases that were once commonplace are no heard as regularly as they eesed tae be. At the same time, we’re excited tae see renewed interest in Scots, particularly amang people who want tae reconnect wi their heritage and identity.
Ony particlar career heighlichts
The development o’ the Scots Workbook wi the Open University is a huge heighlicht for Lingo Flamingo. Oor lang collaboration has always been aboot showin that language learnin can hae a positive impact on people’s wellbeing. Tae tak that approach and create a resource specifically focused on Scots, a leid that is so closely tied tae the identities and experiences o the people we work wi, has been a really special opportunity.
The biggest heighlicht, though, has been seein the response o the people in oor care hame classes. We’ve seen Scots words and phrases spark memories, muckle fun, laughter and conversations, including amang people livin wi dementia. These moments might seem peddie, but they show us the real power that a leid can hae. And we’ve been absolutely thrilled tae see the care hame residents teachin their carers fae owerseas their mither tongue… jist braw!
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
Noo that the Scots Workbook is complete, we’re fair excited tae tak it oot intae the wider world. Oor ambition is tae bring the workbook and oor Scots sessions tae as mony care hames and community groups across Scotland as we can, givin mair auld fowk the opportunity tae connect wi a leid that is pairt o their ain identity, memories and experiences, and support maer intergenerational engagement wi Scots.
We want tae work wi care hames, community organisations and groups that support auld fowk across Scotland, includin areas where Scots is still a strong pairt o everyday life. We’d like tae see the workbook eesed as a flexible resource that can be adapted tae different communities and dialects and the stories o the people, young and auld, livin there.
Ultimately, we want tae see Scots become a mair regular pairt o life in care hames and community settings. We believe there’s a real opportunity tae eese the leid tae help people share memories, tell stories, reconnect wi their heritage and, maist importantly, hae a guid blether wi ithers.
Mair than that, we’re wirkin wi The Open University on a research studie speirin intae the impact o oor Scots course in care hames. We’ll share the findings baith nationally an internationally, helpin tae shaw hou keepin indigenous leids leevin an encouragin their eese across aw generations can strengthen cultural identity, bring communities thegither, an contribute tae a happier, healthier society.
Read more about Lingo Flamingo and the Open University
https://www.lingoflamingo.co.uk/scots-project
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LingoFlamingoCIC/?locale=en_GB
X / Twitter: @lingoflamingo1
Instagram: @lingo_flamingo
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.