The nominees hae bin annooncit for the 2024 Scots Leid Awards wi 50 byordinar ootfits, individual fowk an initiatives in the rinnin tae be gied ae o 12 awards at the ceremony nixt month.
Ilka year, the Awards gie richtfu cognizance tae the mony dedicatit fowk an organizations wha ower years lang syne an forrit intae oor ain time hae gied thir aa ettlin tae mak shair the Scots leid steys in guid hert, keepin it tae the fore no anly in thir airts, music an scrievin, but spaikin it in daily life, eddication an business.
This year for for the verra first time Hands Up For Trad wull be haudin the Awards ceremony in Ayrshire – a pairt o the country steepit in the Scots leid, cultur an tradeetion an o coorse, hame tae celebratit Scots bard Robert Burns.
Cumnock Toon Ha’ is the place tae be oan Seturday 14th September whaur in pairtnersip wi East Ayrshire Cooncil we wull celebrate the importance o the Scots Leid an the fowk wha champion its yiss ilka day.
Gin ye wad like tae gie yer support tae whae ivir o the nominees is o yer chuisen, votin stairts fae the day an wull be open tae Sunday 8th September. The list o braw nominees are spreid ower the length an braidth o Scotland fae Galashiels in the Borders aa the wey tae the Shetland Isles.
The nominees are:
Scots Writer o the Year, sponsored by National Library of Scotland
- Mae Diansangu
- Jim Mackintosh
- William Hershaw
- Tracy Anne Harvey
Scots Book o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Book Trust
- Poyums – Len Pennie (Canongate)
- Born in Kyle – Billy Kay (Burnawn Books)
- Dwams – Shane Strachan (Tapsalteerie)
- Whit If? Scotland’s history as it micht hiv been – Hugh McMillan (Luath Press)
- Collier Laddie – Rab Wilson (Luath Press)
Scots Bairns Book o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Government
- The Hoolet Thit Couldnae Fly – Emma Grae (Luath Press)
- Yum – Susi Briggs (Foggie Toddle Books)
- Let’s Explore Oor Richts – trans. Laura Green, illustrated Corinna Campbell ( The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland)
- Summer e Magic Scurry Riverbank Primary Aberdeen (Doric Books)
Scots Teacher o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Qualifications Authority
- Danielle McNulty – New Cumnock Primary School, Ayrshire
- Amy Lord – The Liltin Lassies, Dunblane
- Ruth Roberton – Castlepark Primary School, Irvine
- Erin Houston – St. Margaret’s High School, North Lanarkshire
Scots Schuil o the Year, sponsored by Itchy Coo/ Black & White Publishing
- New Cumnock Primary School, East Ayrshire
- Burgh Primary School, Galashiels
- Rigside Primary School, South Lanarkshire
- Lanark Primary School, South Lanarkshire
- Kilmarnock Academy, East Ayrshire
- Touch Primary School, Fife
- St Peter and Paul’s Primary School, Dundee
- Braeview Academy, Dundee
- Shortlees Primary School, East Ayrshire
Scots Cultural Project o the Year
- Doric Film Festival
- Blether Dundee
- Histroic Environment Scotland: Lithgae Palace
- Burns Museum
- Da Nicht Afore Yöl, Shetland
- Yaldi Books
Scots Educational Project o the Year
- The Open University and Education Scotland: Scots language and culture teacher professional learning programme
- Rhymin Rab’s Ramble Education Trail
- Doric Bootcamp
- The Wee Gaitherin Heritage Exhibition 2024
Scots Community Project o the Year
- Sauchie Community Group: Scots Language Night
- Braw Clan
- Cullerlie Traditional Singing Weekend
- Linen Hall Library Ulster Scots Language Competition
Scots Stage Production o the Year
- Dracula (National Theatre of Scotland)
- Sunset Song (Dundee Rep in a co-production with the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh)
- My Doric Diary (AyeTunes!)
- Pushing Thirty (Elfie Picket Theatre)
Scots Performer o the Year, sponsored by TRACS
- Sam Allan
- Cheery Odin
- Martin O’Connor
- Chloe Matharu
The esteemed Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award, Scots Champion and the Young Scots Writer o the Year award, sponsored by Education Scotland, will be presented by renowned Scots speakers Taylor Dyson and Shane Strachan on the night.
Entertainment during the ceremony comes from a host of local artists including musical performances from talented Coylton singer, flautist and guitarist Seán Gray, accomplished folksinger Claire Hastings with more to be announced. The house band will be the award winning duo Eryn Rae and Sophie Joint.
Attendees will also be treated to a recital from celebrated National Library of Scotland’s Scots Scriever Susi Briggs and a spoken word performance from writer, broadcaster and advocate Billy Kay and tickets for the night are available now.
Scots Leid Awards organiser an Hands Up For Trad Creative Director, Simon Thoumire said:
“We are delichtit the day tae annoonce the nominees for this year’s Scots Leid Awards. An whit better place than Ayrshire, birthplace o Robert Burns, tae host the Award ceremony festivities on 14th September. It is sae excitin tae be able tae bring this national event tae the hertlands o Scotland – an we hae tae gie mony thanks tae East Ayrshire Cooncil for thir support in makin this cam tae pass.
It is wunnerfu tae hae sic a muckle amoont o talent amang oor Scots leid performers, scrievers teachers an mair an we can haurdly wait tae celebrate thir achievemints at the forthcamin Awards ceremony. The leid is sic an importint pairt o oor Scottish cultur an national identity an a crucial creative ootlet for sae mony. It is oor privilege tae gie honour an respec tae that.
Votin opens the day so noo, its ower tae you! Mak shair ye get yer votes in an we wull see ye at Cumnock Toon Ha’ oan Seturday 14th September.”
Provost Jim Todd said: “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see so many well kent names from East Ayrshire on the shortlist of nominees. There are so many people working exceptionally hard promoting Scots leid across Ayrshire and to see them shortlisted is just fantastic. The Scots Language in all its forms is a very expressive way of communication, we all love our brilliant words that are so descriptive and you know immediately when someone uses these words what they are talking about. I hope that the people of Scotland will show a similar passion and commitment, and get their votes in!
“I am really looking forward to the final at Cumnock Town Hall and to celebrating with these wonderful, talented people.”
As one of Scotland’s three indigenous languages, Scots continues to be a growing tongue. The Scots language has long been used by authors, spoken in our top films, and is experiencing a contemporary renaissance with almost half of Scotland’s population proficient in the language to some capacity. The Scots Language Awards were launched in 2019 to recognise this and the rich culture that is intrinsically linked to the language.
Voting for the Scots Language Awards is open until Sunday 8 September and votes can be cast now at www.scotslanguageawards.com.
Tickets to attend the Scots Language Awards are available here: https://eastayrshireleisure.com/events/scots-language-awards/