Skye author receives New Writers award for Gaelic work
Highland-based author Roddy Neithercut is one of 11 recipients of Scottish Book Trust's New Writers Awards 2021, writes Fiona Scott.
Roddy, who lives on the Isle of Skye, grew up near Callander and won his award under the Gaelic section. He has worked in Gaelic medium education across the country as a secondary school teacher and, in recent years, as a primary school teacher.
Writing has played an important part of Roddy’s teaching career and he has engaged with many genres, including fiction, poetry and non-fiction, and he has also written for Gaelic publications such as Steall. With the support of this award, he hopes to expand his writing skills and complete his first novel.
The awards provide a selection of talented writers who have not yet published a full-length book or collection, with professional guidance to help them move towards publication, as well as financial support. Funded by Creative Scotland and run by Scottish Book Trust the awards have supported over 100 creative individuals since 2009.
'I am incredibly humbled to be offered this New Writers
Award. It is a fantastic opportunity for any writer, and I am sure will help me take my writing to the next level,' said Roddy.'
Each of the 11 recipients will receive a £2,000 cash award and support tailored to their needs including mentoring from writers and industry professionals, training opportunities, and the platform to showcase their work to publishers and agents.
Alison Lang, director of the Gaelic Books Council that judged the Gaelic section, said: 'The Gaelic Book Council’s on-going partnership with
Roddy Neithercut hopes to expand his writing skills and complete his first novel.
Scottish Book Trust allows us to give Gaelic writers this valuable opportunity early in their careers to work with experienced mentors and develop their craft, and we are excited to be working with new writer Roddy’s calibre this year as he works towards his first publication.'
The New Writers Showcase, a celebration of work by last year’s awardees, will be held online through Scottish Book Trust’s social media accounts on Wednesday, March 31. Information about tickets will be available on Scottish Book Trust’s website soon.
An Tobar is continuing its Music For Winter Solitude series of films on February 18 with a short concert from Scottish singer/songwriter Roddy Woomble.
Best known for his work with Idlewild, Roddy was drawn to Tobermory's creative and cultural beacon in November last year to record some vocals for his next solo album and to film the concert.
Roddy's solo career began with My Secret Is My Silence back in 2006 and he has also made three records in An Tobar - The Impossible Song and Other Songs, Listen To Keep and Live in the Hebrides.
This film features songs from his most recent EP Everyday Sun, one from his last album The Deluder, two new ones, a favourite from My Secret and ends with an Idlewild hit.
The concert will be aired at 8pm on February 18 on the An Tobar Vimeo, YouTube and Facebook channels.
The Music For Winter Solitude films are free to watch but donations, 100 per cent of which go direct to the artists, are welcome.