Weel duin tae Through the Shortbread Tin – National Theatre of Scotland wha hae bin nominatit in Scots Stage Production 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 Martin O'Connor o Through the Shortbread Tin – National Theatre of Scotland thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
ah’m a scriever and performer, scrievin in Scots an Gaelic, an makin spoken word, poetry an aw kinds ae new hings. For this show, ah’ve jined up wi National Theatre ae Scotland, an alang wi a brilliant paircel a fowk, we came up with Through the Shortbread Tin, lookin at the yairn ae James Macpherson, an whit we can learn fae it the day.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
Ah wis scrievin poetry an plays an a startit tae hink aboot ma ain voice an how that wisnae bein represented on stage or in ma work. Ah actually hud tae learn a lot at that time, as ah didnae know anyhin aboot the Scots leid, an didnae know it was actually a leid in itsel. Noo ah’m very proud tae be makin work oan the main stage that represents ma ain way ae speakin, an ma faemly, ma life as as a Glaswegian Scots speaker.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
Because we dae use it in everyday life! That’s the hing that’s so interestin aboot it – there was always a divide atween private an public life, an ma work tries tae make that divide a wee bit wee-er.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
it has tae be – Mony a mickle maks a muckle!
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
Ma faemly mostly – ma freens who are also rediscoverin their ain leid – an of course Jackie Kay, James Kelman an Tom Leonard. A bit further afield an a different dialect ae Scots but I love Shetlan poets – Christie Williamson, Roseanne Watt, Christine de Luca.
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
A dae notice it even if ithers dinnae! Ah hink we’re havin a resurgence an mair siccar, an ah hope that it continues.
Ony particlar career heighlichts
Takin Through the Shortbread Tin roon the kintra last year was rerr, an bein in the Fringe, at the Storytellin Centre an meetin new audiences an hearin their experiences has definitley been a highlight.
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
Finishin this run ae shows an then straight oantae another show at Play Pie Pint – which is – you might ae guessed – performed in Glaswegian Scots!
Read more about Through the Shortbread Tin – National Theatre of Scotland
http://https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/through-the-shortbread-tin
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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.