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Bill Wilson MSP Demands Support for Scots Language and Music

Bill Wilson (left) at the demonstration

West of Scotland MSP Dr Bill Wilson has called for Scotland to follow Ireland in supporting indigenous culture.

Dr Wilson is a longstanding critic of the Scottish Arts Council’s cuts in funding for the Scottish Language Dictionaries and the Scots Language Centre. Speaking on 4th September at a protest about cuts in funding for traditional arts, he said:

"Scots language and music are unique to Scotland. If they die here then they are no more. Native languages and cultures are dying throughout the globe. It was only recently that Marie Smith Jones, the last speaker of the Alaskan language of Eyak died, and with her a way of life, a unique world view.

"Scots language and music are worth fighting for; they enrich our lives and our nation. To say that I have sympathy with the demands of the musicians and dancers who protested today is to understate it! Ireland clearly understands the value of its native culture. It's time we followed that example."