Scots Scriever Appointed
Hamish MacDonald to take up two year residency at the National Library of Scotland
First for Scotland
CREATIVE Scotland has today (Thursday 13 August, 2015), in partnership with the National Library of Scotland, announced the appointment of Hamish MacDonald in the role of Scots Scriever.
A first for Scotland, this role is a two-year residency based at the National Library of Scotland, supported with funding from Creative Scotland.
The purpose of the role is to produce original creative work in Scots, its variants and dialects, across any art-form, as well as raising awareness, appreciation and use of Scots across the country and amongst all parts of the population.
This is an unique type of writer residency with a high level of public engagement, a creative response to Scots collections at the National Library of Scotland, and regular ongoing output in Scots.
Hamish MacDonald, Scots Scriever, said: “I am delighted tae be offered the new an vitally important role as Scots Scriever wae the National Library o Scotland. 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.”
Hamish MacDonald writes in English and in Scots, is published in poetry and fiction and has written several plays which have toured in Scotland and abroad, two of which he adapted into radio series for the BBC.
Hamish is a founder of Dogstar Theatre Company, was the first recipient of the Robert Burns Writing Fellowship (2003-06) for Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association and has led workshops in creative writing and performance throughout Scotland and abroad, involving a diverse range of age groups and abilities.
He spent three years as director of Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s creative writing centre, and works as a freelance writer. He is a contributor to Scots language imprint Itchy Coo publishing’s popular anarchic children’s poetry books, King o the Midden and Blethertoun Braes.
The purpose of the Scriever residency is specifically:
- to produce original, creative work in Scots (any variant or dialect) in any genre or discipline throughout the tenure.
- to have explicit responsibility for raising the profile, understanding and appreciation of creative work in the Scots language, including that held within the National Library’s collections.
The residency runs for a period of two years, based at the National Library of Scotland, with an approximate engagement of one week per month throughout that time. It is anticipated that around 50 per cent of the time will be spent producing new creative work and 50 per cent on the profile raising/public engagement aspect of the role.
Aly Barr, acting Hhead of Literature, Publishing and Languages at Creative Scotland, said: “We welcome the appointment of Hamish MacDonald as the first Scots Scriever to take up residency at the National Library of Scotland (NLS). Identified as a key requirement within the Scots Language Policy, we are particularly pleased to be working in partnership with NLS to host the new Scots Scriever role.
“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. His friendly approach will ensure that Scots is embraced by whole new audiences of Scots and non Scots speakers alike.”
Dr John Scally, National Librarian at the National Library of Scotland, said: “This is an exciting role, based at the Library, to engage people of all ages in the use of Scots.
“The project will seek to link with the past but it is much more about how the language is used today. The Scots language is very much part of our cultural identity and we want to see it thrive, not just survive.”
Scots poet and novelist, Matthew Fitt, said: “Hamish MacDonald is yin o oor finest Scots writers. He has been scrievin and fechtin for the leid for a lang time and his appointment as National Scots Scriever is weel-deserved.”
Creative Scotland published its first Scots Language Policy in June 2015, in which the role of Scots Scriever was identified. The policy underlined the organisation’s commitment to supporting the language through its own work and the work that it funds across the arts, screen and creative industries.
ENDS
For press enquiries, please contact:
National Library of Scotland
Bryan Christie
Media and External Relations
T: 0131 623 3738
M: 07904 791002
E: b.christie@nls.uk
Creative Scotland
Helen Sim
Media Relations & PR Assistant
T: 0131 523 0019
M: 07801 226605
E: helen.sim@creativescotland.com
Notes to editors:
- Hamish MacDonald Biography
Hamish MacDonald writes in English and in Scots, is published in poetry and fiction and has written several plays which have toured in Scotland and abroad, two of which he adapted into radio series for the BBC. Hamish is a founder of Dogstar Theatre Company, was the first recipient of the Robert Burns Writing Fellowship (2003-06) for Dumfries and Galloway Arts Association and has led workshops in creative writing and performance throughout Scotland and abroad, involving a diverse range of age groups and abilities. He spent three years as director of Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s creative writing centre, and works as a freelance writer. He is a contributor to Scots language imprint Itchy Coo publishing’s popular anarchic children’s poetry books, King o the Midden and Blethertoun Braes. Leading workshops in poetry, fiction, drama and songwriting, Hamish brings a thoughtful and energetic approach to each session. - The role of Scots Scriever is jointly supported by Creative Scotland, with funding of £50,000, and the National Library of Scotland who will host the role, provide administrative support and access to their Scots archive.
- Creative Scotland’s Scots Language Policy was published on 3 June 2015. Details can be found here.
- Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland
- National Library of Scotland:
The National Library of Scotland is a major European research library and one of the world’s leading centres for the study of Scotland and the Scots – an information treasure trove for Scotland’s knowledge, history and culture
The Library’s collections are of world-class importance. Key areas include digital material, rare books, manuscripts, maps, music, moving images, official publications, business information, science and technology, and the modern and foreign collections.
The Library holds more than 24 million items dating back over 1,000 years. This includes over four million books, eight million manuscripts, two million maps and over 45,000 films and videos. Every week it collects 4,000 new items. Around 80 per cent of these are received free of charge in terms of Legal Deposit legislation.
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Contact: Helen Sim
Email: helen.sim@creativescotland.com
Website: http://www.creativescotland.com/what-we-do/latest-news/archive/2015/08/scots-scriever-appointed
