A Guid Blether

The 2025 Scots Language Awards in Dundee celebrated writers, performers and educators, showing that Scots is alive and thriving

- RACHEL MCCONACHIE

THERE'S something about the Scots Language Awards that sets them apart from the usual black-tie ceremonies. The 2025 awards, held at Discovery Point in Dundee, had a party atmosphere from start to finish.

What struck me most was how delighted everyone was to be speaking Scots. This was a celebration of Scots in all its variety, from Doric to Shetland dialect, and the joy of that freedom radiated from the stage to the audience.

The evening began with hosts Taylor Dyson, the National Library of Scotland Scots Scriever, and folk singer Lynne Campbell, setting the tone with a singalong.

The theme word of the night was "canty" - meaning to show up to a party with cheer and energy.

Traditional Scots singer Sheena Wellington followed with her trademark humour, describing the evening as "teckle", meaning great.

Behind the celebration is Simon Thoumire of Hands Up for Trad, the man who helped create the Scots Language Awards. He explained how the awards grew from a simple idea: that Scots deserved a platform of its own.