Weel duin tae Scottish Storytelling Centre wha hae bin nominatit in Scots in Business 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 Harriet Wood o Scottish Storytelling Centre thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
We are a vibrant arts venue in the centre of Edinburgh but supporting traditional artists across Scotland. We are the world’s first purpose-built Centre for live oral storytelling and fir 20 years have been a space for folk to gather. We programme a year-round traditional arts calendar of live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, workshops, family events and festivals, and are home to TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
The SSC is a place for people to explore creativity, and with that comes the joy of hearing different languages and cultural approaches. Through our traditional arts programming we’ve created a space for traditional arts and culture to thrive and within that Scots language is encouraged, platformed and celebrated as a living language.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
Folk should use words that best describe how they feel and what message they want to convey. That’s often done best in the words you are most comfortable with, and if that’s Scots, then great! Also, if it’s used all the time, it means that it’s not just focused on Burns time in January.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
Ye’ve a face like a skelped erse!
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
We’ve just finished an amazing Edinburgh Fringe Festival where Olivia Caw and Martin O’Connor both blew folk away with their Scots-led shows, so both of them!
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
Ony particlar career heighlichts
Proud to be home and host to the Oor Vyce Gaitherin since the first Gaitherin in 2024, creating space to meet annually and advocate for Scots leid.
Now in its third year we are excited to be welcoming the Gaitherers again in November, so keep your eyes peeled for more info on how to get involved soon!
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
Next up for us is the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, which runs 21-31 October in Edinburgh and across the whole of Scotland. There’s many great Scots voices and words to be enjoyed across the programme!
Read more about Scottish Storytelling Centre
https://www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com/www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com//ScottishStorytellingCentre
Instagram: @scottishstorytellingcentre
TikTok: @scotstorycentre
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.