Teachers, families, musicians, and poets celebrate the Scots Language Awards 2022

Published: 24 Sep 2022

Presenters Lennie Pennie and columnist Alistair Heather at the Scots Language Awards, image by Alan Richardson.

The glittering Tayside evening on Saturday 24 September 2022 saw live music and performances from Beth Malcom, Robyn Stapleton, Hamish MacDonald, and Bruce Fummey entertain the crowds, and a whole host of Scots Language champions taking home the prestigious Awards including zero waste sustainable retailer Re:Store, TikTok’s Doric Dad, and writer Liz Lochhead, all recognised after several thousands of public votes were recorded in this increasingly popular annual Scots campaign.

Karen Dick, Head of Place, Partnerships and Communities at Creative Scotland said: “It’s great to see the Scots Language Awards return again this year, highlighting the importance of Scots language, for arts and culture, and in daily life, education and business. Weel done tae a’ winners an’ nominees.”

Since starting, the Awards have seen leading authors including Graeme Armstrong and local heroes participate alongside well-known stars such as comedian Janey Godley, actor David Paisley, TikTok’s Littlest Chicken and singer Iona Fyfe. Presented by Sponsors and Scots legends, including the prestigious Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award, the night was hosted by social media star and poet Len Pennie, and presenter and columnist Alistair Heather, and was also live streamed to international audiences around the world.

Simon Thoumire of organisers Hands Up For Trad said:“I’m thrilled by the growth of our ongoing campaign for Scots Language, to have held our live event in Dundee again, a community which has supported the campaign from day one, and at the calibre of this year’s brilliant Winners for the Scots Language Awards 2022.”

Hands Up For Trad, Scotland’s traditional culture, music and arts organisation, founded the Awards in 2019, to celebrate Scots culture and language, alongside social media campaign success #GiesAScotsPhraseDay, as part of the United Nations Year of Indigenous Languages.

The Awards recognise the heroic efforts and work of the people and organisations who all use and speak Scots’ unique culture, music and words, and voting was open to the public earlier this month and year for both the Nominees and the Votes to win. Scots Language has long been used by authors, spoken in our top films, and is experiencing a contemporary year on year resurgence via social media including a huge new audience of all ages on TikTok, as communities connect and realise their heritage, led by the public, influencers, and media alike.

For more information visit www.scotslanguageawards.com or follow on Twitter @handsupfortrad, Instagram @handsupfortrad, Facebook @handsupfortrad and use hashtags#ScotsLanguage #HUFT.

The Scots Language Awards 2022 Winners are:

• Scots Business of the Year, sponsored by Scots Language Society: ReStore, Lossiemouth
• Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award: Anne Donovan
• Scots Champion Award: Dr Jamie Fairbairn
• Young Scots Writer o the Year, sponsored by Education Scotland: Eva McMillan
• Scots Writer of the Year, sponsored by National Library of Scotland: Liz Lochhead
• Scots Media Person of the Year, sponsored by Dictionaries of the Scots Language: Doric Dad
• Scots Bairns Book of the Year, sponsored by Scottish Government: Doric Nursery Rhymes for Loons & Quines, translations by Gordon M Hay, illustrations by Rosemary Cunningham (Doric Books)
• Scots Speaker of the Year, sponsored by Scots Language Centre: Marjolein Robertson (Shetland)
• Scots Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Scottish Qualifications Authority: Amanda Dunn, Shortlees Primary School, Kilmarnock
• Scots School of the Year, sponsored by Itchy Coo / Black & White Publishing: Mearns Academy (Aberdeenshire Council)
• Scots Project of the Year, sponsored by Scots Radio: The Maiden’s Leap with Historic Environment Scotland and Perth High School
• Scots Book of the Year, sponsored by Scottish Book Trust: Be guid tae yer Mammy, Emma Grae (Unbound)
• Scots Performer of the Year, sponsored by TRACS: Alan Reid aka Bundy

Background

Organising body, Hands Up for Trad funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, was formed in 2002 and exists to increase the profile and visibility of traditional Scottish music and culture through information, advocacy and education to artists, participants and audiences.

In 2019, The United Nations Year of Indigenous Language, Hands Up for Trad launched this new annual award ceremony for Scotland’s vibrant cultural calendar, celebrating the best in the Scots Language, in association with Creative Scotland. In a prestigious ceremony at Glasgow’s Mitchell Library Theatre, the Award’s many other sponsors including Education Scotland, SQA, Scottish Government and Itchy Coo / Black & White Publishing gathered together for an evening of music and entertainment in the country’s national language spoken by over 30% of the population, particularly in the central and borders regions, rewarding excellence in schools, communities and arts, before regrouping on YouTube in October 2020 during lockdown.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot

Media contacts

For further press information please contact Chris Hunt at Genuine via chris@genuine.scot