Poet appointed nation’s first official writer in Scots in bid to boost awareness of language
THE nation’s first Scriever, or official writer in Scots, has been appointed to raise awareness and appreciation of the language.
Hamish MacDonald, a writer, poet and playwright, will be the first person to hold the two-year residency post at the National Library of Scotland, funded by £50,000 from the national arts body, Creative Scotland.
He will write new work in Scots, including in its “variants and dialects” and is tasked with “raising awareness, appreciation and use of Scots across the country and amongst all parts of the population”.
In a statement Mr MacDon- ald wrote: “I luik forwart tae workin wae communities throughoot Scotland in gie’in voice tae this vibrant language which, whether spoken or written, deserves tae be celebrated everywhere.”
He is a founder of Dogstar Theatre Company, was the first recipient of the Robert Burns Writing Fellowship for Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association and has led workshops in creative writing and performance.
He has also written for BBC Scotland and the Comedy Unit, including sketches for Nakes Video and Velvet Cabaret.
For the BBC he wrote an adaptation of The Captain’s Collection and The Strathspey King, both of which won awards.
MacDonald, from Glasgow, spent three years as director of Moniack Mhor, one of Scotland’s creative writing centres, and works as a freelance writer.
He contributed to Scots language imprint Itchy Coo publishing’s children’s poetry books, King o the Midden and Blethertoun Braes.
The two-year post involves one week per month of “engagement”.
Aly Barr, acting head of Literature, Publishing and Languages at Creative Scotland, said: “We were pleased that the interview panel noted Hamish’s work with schools and young people as being energetic and creative.
“He offers an opportunity to re-invigorate Scots for different communities across the country.