Weel duin tae Peterhead Academy wha hae bin nominatit in Scots School 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 Antonia Cant o Peterhead Academy thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
The Scots language is an important part of learning and daily life at Peterhead Academy.
At our school, Scots is offered as a language option in S3, S5 and S6, with most pupils taking the opportunity to do the Qualifications Scotland Scots Language Award. Our learners have achieved this award at Levels 4, 5 and 6. Scots language was also recently offered as an S2 elective.
Beyond classroom learning and obtaining qualifications, Scots language learners at Peterhead Academy have undertaken community projects in partnership with Grangepark Care Home, Cruden Bay Golf Club, Doric Books and the Buchan Heritage Society. Our Scots learners have entered and won several writing competitions. One student had their writing published in a poetry book, and another was recently appointed Young Scots Makar.
Scots is taught and celebrated across a wide range of contexts at Peterhead Academy. PSAs across the school speak Scots with pupils every day so that pupils hear and learn to understand the language. The annual school show always makes use of Doric; for example, in 2026-2027 staff and pupils are working on the stage production of 'Coorse Quines'. Pupils are also encouraged to use Scots when devising plays in S1-S4 Drama. Scots has a part to play in Creative Industries lessons, specifically when pupils carry out the 'Tartan' and 'Visit Scotland' projects. In Music, Doric is taught through the Scottish music curriculum in S2, S3 and at National 5 level. Students are exposed to Scots and Gaelic when learning about Scots ballads, bothy ballads and mouth music. In Social Subjects, Scots is valued as a useful tool to understand different perspectives in History and Scottish Studies.
Outside the classroom, Peterhead Academy has a dedicated 'Reading in Scots' section in the school library, which pupils are encouraged to access. In the last year we appealed to our local community to donate books in Scots to help build our Scots Language collection; this was very successful. Our Scots collection has also recently increased through the library service, with the addition of translated texts by Roald Dahl and David Walliams. The library resources available to staff and pupils include 2 box sets of 'The Broons' and 'Oor Wullie' books, a class set of the Scots novella 'A Wee Bit Magic' and the novel 'Duck Feet'. 'Eejit Street' comics are available and free for pupils to take home. Scots classes recently used these comics and other library resources when learning about the World Cup.
Finally, Peterhead Academy runs an annual #Scotstober competition, during which Scots is discussed in registration each morning. Pupils are encouraged to write and submit a text using the Scots word of the day, with the support of registration teachers and our school librarian.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
Across the school, Scots is valued and taught by a range of staff from various backgrounds. Some staff are local Doric speakers who do not want to change the language they speak when interacting with pupils or giving instructions. Some staff use other Scots dialects, and some are new Scots speakers! Each staff member has had their own journey to using Scots at Peterhead Academy.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
Ony particlar career heighlichts
Celebrating the successes of our amazing pupils, from respectfully participating in intergenerational language transmission with Doric-speaking care home residents to winning trophies and prizes for their excellent Scots poems and stories.
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
At Peterhead Academy, we intend to continue using Scots in daily learning across a range of subject areas and settings. There are plans to introduce Scots as a language option for additional year groups, and we hope to continue engaging with partners to provide more real-world learning experiences in future. Our librarian is working hard to expand our school Scots book collection with additional resources.
Peterhead Academy expects to lead the way in promoting, facilitating and supporting Scots language education under the 2025 Scottish Languages Act.
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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.