A nationwide celebration of the Scots language has been officially announced, marking a major milestone for the country’s linguistic heritage. The inaugural Scots Language Week will take place next year from September 6 to 11, with the goal of spotlighting the cultural and historical importance of the tongue.
The announcement was made during the eighth annual Scots Language Awards, held this Sunday at Dundee’s iconic Discovery Point. Supported by the Rubric Foundation, the new week-long initiative will be modelled after the successful World Gaelic Week, aiming to foster greater appreciation and usage of Scots across the nation.
The awards ceremony, organised by Hands Up for Trad, was a sold-out success, highlighting the vibrant contributions of individuals and institutions across literature, education, performing arts, and business. Demonstrating the growing public interest in the language, a record-breaking 7,000 votes were cast to determine 10 of the 13 award categories—nearly double the participation seen in the previous year.
Among the evening’s notable winners was Lucy Beth, who claimed the title of Scots Writer o the Year for her acclaimed solo show, Ma Name is Isabelle. In a testament to the language’s strength in education, Banff Academy enjoyed a stellar night: the school was named Scots Schuil of the Year, and their collaborative project, Wirds o Banff: A Doric Glossary o the Wild, took home the award for Scots Book o the Year. Additionally, Peterhead Academy’s Antonia Cant was honoured as Scots Teacher o the Year for her tireless work in keeping the language relevant for modern students.
The reach of Scots in digital and creative spaces was also celebrated. TikTok creator Millie Graham won the inaugural Scots Language in the Media award, recognised for her massive influence on the platform where she has garnered over three million followers. Meanwhile, the Scottish Storytelling Centre received the Scots in Business accolade, and actress Olivia Caw was named Scots Performer of the Year for her powerful one-person play, Common Tongue.
The ceremony also paid tribute to long-standing champions of the language. Renowned singer and advocate Sheena Wellington received the prestigious Janet Paisley Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising decades of dedication to Scots. Dr. Clive Young, author of Unlocking Scots: The Secret Life of the Scots Language, was named Scots Champion.
Simon Thoumire, the founder of Hands Up for Trad, lauded the talent on display, noting that the Scots language is “woven through sae mony pairts o everyday life.” He added that the dedication of the nominees is why the “mither tongue remains truly thriving and relevant in Scotland the day.”
As the event drew to a close, organizers and supporters alike looked forward to the future. Karen Dick of Creative Scotland expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Scots Language Week, describing it as a vital next step in highlighting the talent and identity that continue to define Scotland’s unique cultural landscape.
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