Weel duin tae William Letford wha hae bin nominatit in Scots Writer o the Year (sponsored by the National Library of Scotland) 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 William Letford o William Letford thae speirins.
Tell us aboot yersel or yer ootfit.
Am a Scottish poet wae three books published by Carcanet Press. Ma last book, From Our Own Fire, wiz longlisted fur the Scottish National Book Awards an wiz one eh the Telegraph's, an the Observer's, books eh the year.
Whit wis it got ye involvit wi the Scots leid?
A wiz boarn intae it. It's the music thit makes ma memories, an the language thit takes me hame.
Why dae ye feel it is important tae use Scots in everyday life?
It's like breathin, if yi don't breathe yur….well, don't forget tae breathe.
Dae ye hae a favourite Scots phrase or saying?
Gerriterrindunwi. The mair the mischief – the merrier the show.
Is there a Scots speaker who inspires you?
Liz Lochead, Jackie Kay, Tom Leonard, James Kelman, Jim Conway, ma Uncle Casey, Ma Uncle Richard, ma mither, ma faither, ma sister, ma sister's wains. Av goat a pal called Zak, he kin lit loose a sentence thit lands like a firework.
Do you hear Scots spoken regularly in your local area? Have you noticed any changes over time?
Mair thin regularly, am currently workin in the buildin trade. Am joyfully riddult wae it. Wurds naturally float in an oot eh use as time passes. Bit the auld wurds, win they pop up, ur like fitprints thit lit the past step right intae the present. Thurs a bit a magic aboot that, bit, yi know, am a poet, a tend tae lean that wiy.
Ony particlar career heighlichts
A luv travellin, av been lucky enough tae be invited tae perform in countries like India, Iraq, Australia, South Korea, Italy, and many mair. A taught English in Japan fur a while. Thurs an enclave a Japanese folk jist ootside Kyoto peddlin english wae right scottish twang tae it. Quietly proud eh that tae.
Wha’s yer plans fir the days aheid?
Chist oot an chin tae the wind. Nuthin else fur it.
Read more about William Letford
http://williamletford.com
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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.