Scots Language Awards in Cumnock sees three local winners

Held at Cumnock Town Hall in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, the sixth annual awards ceremony saw 13 individuals, projects and organisations celebrated for their contributions.

And there was delight when some local winners collected major awards as the ceremony came to Ayrshire for the very first time.

Daniella McNulty (Image: Scots Language Awards)

Local teacher Danielle McNulty, from New Cumnock Primary School, was named Scots Teacher o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Qualifications Authority.

New Cumnock Primary won School of the Year (Image: Scots Language Awards) New Cumnock Primary School was also awarded Scots Schuil o the Year, thanks to their dedication to showcasing the Scots language as part of their curriculum. The award is sponsored by Itchy Coo and Black & White Publishing.  

Rab Wilson (Image: Scots Language Awards) And the esteemed Janet Paisley Services to Scots Award was presented to local Cumnock-born poet Rab Wilson.

One of Scotland’s most accomplished poets, Rab has published a number of highly praised volumes of poetry and is a valued Burns scholar, currently the scriever in residence for the National Trust of Scotland based at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.

First hosted in 2019, the Scots Language Awards showcase the Scots leid – one of the country’s indigenous languages.

Jim McIntosh (Image: Scots Language Awards) Jim Mackintosh from Perth took home the Scots Writer o the Year award, sponsored by National Library of Scotland. A celebrated poet, Jim regularly features on stage at literary festivals and has published six collections.

This year’s Scots Book o the Year, sponsored by Scottish Book Trust is Poyums by Len Pennie. Poyums is Len’s debut - a collection of 64 powerful poems, many written in the Scots language.

The Bairns Book winners (Image: Scots Language Awards) The award for Scots Bairns Book o the Year, sponsored by the Scottish Government was given to Riverbank Primary’s Summer e Magic Scurry. The book was written by the Primary 5F class at the school in Aberdeen and features a story about a naughty herring gull who takes the pupils on an adventure.

Cultural Project winners (Image: Scots Language Awards) Doric Film Festival won the award for Scots Cultural Project o the Year.

The Scots Educational Project of the Year award was presented to the Open University’s Scots language teacher professional learning programme.

Scots Language theatre company Braw Clan from Lanarkshire was named Scots Community Project o the Year. 

This year’s Scots Stage Production o the Year award went to Sunset Song by Dundee Rep Theatre in co-production with Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. 

Martin O'Connor (Image: Scots Language Awards) Martin O’Connor from Glasgow was named Scots Performer o the Year, sponsored by TRACS. Martin is director of the Tron Theatre Young Company, and associate artist with Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre and is currently Artist in Residence with Inverclyde.

Liz Niven (Image: Scots Language Awards) Liz Niven from Dumfries and Galloway was named Scots Champion 2024. Liz has published several poetry collections and has worked with hundreds of pupils throughout the year, inspiring them to write their own poetry.

Rudi Hawkins took home the Young Scots Writer o the Year award, sponsored by Education Scotland.

There was also a host of incredible entertainment on display, including musical performances from talented Coylton singer, flautist and guitarist Seán Gray, Scots singer and fiddler Rose Byers, and award winning duo Breanna Wilson and Sophie Joint.

Attendees were also treated to a recital from celebrated National Library of Scotland’s Scots Scriever Susi Briggs and a joint performance by accomplished folk singer Claire Hastings and writer, broadcaster and advocate Billy Kay.

Scots Leid Award organiser an Hands Up For Trad Creative Director, Simon Thoumire said: “Whit a nicht! It wis oor honour an delicht tae annoonce this year’s Scots Language Awards winners - the braw fowk keepin oor bonnie Scots leid tae the fore spiekin it ilka day in thir daily livin, in eddication, business, airts an culture.

“Mony thanks tae aabody taein the time tae nominate an vote (mair than ivver afore!) fir the awards, tae the musicians an airtists, an aa wha jined us at Cumnock Toon Ha - we are sae gled o yer support acause we cuidnae dae it wioot ye!”

East Ayrshire Provost Jim Todd said: “It was wonderful to be able to host such a special evening in Cumnock and even more incredible that we were able to celebrate our very own local winners from New Cumnock.

"My sincere congratulations go to Scots Teacher o the Year Danielle McNulty from New Cumnock Primary School, and to the school itself for winning the prestigious Scots Schuil o the Year for the passion and commitment it shows to making sure its pupils learn about the importance of the Scots language.

“Congratulations also go to Rab Wilson, a well-kent name in East Ayrshire and indeed the whole of Scotland, for his award which recognises his important work in relation to Burns and his impressive catalogue of poetry in the Scots language.

"The whole ceremony was filled with so many talented people who all work incredibly hard to promote the Scots leid across Ayrshire and it was truly inspiring and heart-warming to hear their stories and to be able to celebrate this wonderful language with them.”