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Scots Language Centre Centre for the Scots Leid

Sheena is North East makar

23rd January 2020

The Scots Language Centre is pleased to announce that well known poet and writer Sheena Blackhall has recently been appointed North East Makar by the new Doric Board. Sheena has been publishing variously in Scots, North East Scots (Doric), and English since the 1980’s and is now a significant ambassador for the cultural identity and language of the contemporary North East. To celebrate this event, Sheena read a new poem for the occasion which you can watch on the video below.

In addition to Sheena’s recent appointment, the Doric Board has also made a number of financial awards to various individuals and groups across the region ranging from £250 to £1000. This funding will help to encourage Scots language based projects. The full list of awards is as follows:

  • Banffshire Tourist Hub – Illustrated biography of James Macpherson
  • Garidge Theatre, Inverurie – Dark Star Development production based on Lorna Moon’s novel
  • Tom Spiers, Crudie, Turriff – “A puckle muckle sangs” (educational programme based on the ballads of the North East)
  • Ewan G. Mackay, Cruden Bay – Doric homage in classical song
  • Val McLeod, Birnie, Elgin – Doric Alive (monthly group/Doric activities)
  • Two of Us Creations Ltd, Aboyne – poetry anthology in English and Doric of work by North East poets
  • 1st Methlick Scouts – Centenary celebrations (presentation of the culture of the North East, past and present)
  • The Cabrach Trust – to capture living history by recording interviews in Doric
  • RGU – adding North East content to Wikipedia
  • Andrew Davidson, Fraserburgh – “Fraserburgh on Film”
  • Jo Gilbert, Aberdeen – Doric Poetry Slam
  • Karen Barrett-Ayres, Aberdeen – creation of a Doric language app
  • Dr Ian Spring, Perth – Collection of Mary Symon poems
  • Modo: Circus With Purposes, Peterhead – “Doricula” (show based on Dracula)
  • Stonehaven Folk Festival – promoting folk songs in local groups
  • Richard Bennett, Torphins – an anthology of work by modern Moray writers
  • Bob Knight – Doric song CD

For more information about the Doric Board and its work please contact contact Frieda Morrison or Gordon Hay by email at info@doricboard.com  or visit the website at  – https://https://doricboard.com/