Short story entries invited in honour of Doric writer Toulmin

A short story competition which celebrates the work of one of the north-east’s finest exponents of written Doric is once again on the lookout for entries.

The Toulmin Prize is run by Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Institute and £500 is up for grabs for the winner.

The prize has inspired a wide-range of creative writing in a mixture of Doric and English since its inception in 2008.

It is sponsored by grandsons of Toulmin (John Reid), Steven and Martin Reid.

John Reid (1913-1998) was an Aberdeenshire farm labourer from Rathen, near Fraserburgh, who spent most of his life working long hours for very small rewards.

In odd moments he jotted down short stories, character studies and bothy tales.

Eventually, as David Toulmin, he had a few articles printed in local newspapers. The first of his 10 books was published when he was 59.

They consist mostly of short stories and reminiscences, with his one novel, Blown Seed, painting a harsh picture of farm life.

In later life, he moved to Pittodrie Place in Aberdeen – and then later to Westhill – and was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Aberdeen in 1986.

The Toulmin Prize is open to all amateur writers over the age of 16. Stories should be about some aspect of life in north-east Scotland and may be written in Scots, including Doric, or English, or a mixture of the two.

Dr Tom McKean, director of the Elphinstone Institute at the university, said: “We’re proud to be able to honour David Toulmin and his work in this way. His writing is powerful, evocative and witty, and he is one of the finest exponents of writing in the north-east.

“We have received a fantastic standard of entries in previous years and the winners have now been collated into an anthology celebrating Doric writing.”

A story of up to 4,000 words should be submitted by August 27, 2024.

John Reid.