Tour Scotland Scots Poetry

Scottish Poet Harvey Holton reads a short extract from his poem in Scots from his publication Finn at his home in North Fife. Harvey and I have been friends for almost thirty years and first met when I lived at Kilmany, and Harvey lived at Rathillet.

The Makars, an anthology of poetry from the age of the Makars, the true golden age of Scottish literature, marking an extraordinary flowering of Scottish culture and the Scots language. Writers included are Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld, Robert Henryson, William Dunbar and Sir David Lindsay. The Makars: An Anthology (Canongate Classics).

Scots, The Mither Tongue is a classic of contemporary Scottish culture and essential reading for those who care about their country's identity in the twenty-first century. It is a passionately written history of how the Scots have come to speak the way they do and it acted as a catalyst for radical changes in attitude towards the language. Since it was first published it has sold twenty thousand, testimony to the power of its argument and the style, humour and smeddum of its writing. In this completely revised edition, Kay vigorously renews the social, cultural and political debate on Scotland's linguistic future, and argues convincingly for the necessity to retain and extend Scots if the nation is to hold on to the values that have made them what they are as a people. As ever, Kay places Scots in an international context, comparing and contrasting it with other European lesser-used languages, while at home questioning the Scottish Executive's desire to pay anything more than lip service to this crucial part of our national identity. Language is central to people's existence and this vivid account celebrates the survival of Scots in its various dialects, its literature and song - a national treasure that thrives in many parts of the country and underpins the speech of everyone that calls themselves a Scot. Scots: The Mither Tongue.

The Luath Scots Language Learner, How to Understand and Speak Scots. This work is suitable as an introductory course or for those interested in re-acquainting themselves with the language of childhood and grandparents. The book assumes no prior knowledge on the reader's part. Starting from the most basic vocabulary and constructions, the reader is guided step-by-step through Scots vocabulary and the subtleties of grammar and idiom that distinguish Scots from English. An accompanying audio recording conveys the authentic pronunciation, especially important to readers from outside Scotland. The course is based on General Scots with a slight emphasis on the North-East and contains an introduction, 25 graded lessons, an English-to-Scots vocabulary list, and appendices with verb tables and similar material. Each lesson itself contains dialogues, vocabulary, grammatical explanations, exercises, and, most importantly, a section giving background information about life in Scotland, for the reader to understand the material in its cultural context. This is a fun and interesting insight into Scottish culture. By the end of the course participants should be able to read books and poems in Scots, take part in conversation, and enjoy interacting with Scots speakers. The Luath Scots Language Learner: How to Understand and Speak Scots.

King O the Midden, Manky Mingin Rhymes in Scots. Fred the fush, He had a wush. He wushed that he Wis in the sea Swimmin wi his mate, Haein a yatter, An no on a plate Swimmin in batter. Are the contents of this poetry book sweet and safe? No. They come with a health warning: if you don't like to read about things that are rude, scunnersome, surreal, bizarre or just plain daft, King o the Midden is probably not for you. This collection of specially written rhymes and poems will appeal to anyone with a warped sense of humour. In short sharp bursts of verse, a menagerie of contemporary Scots writers give their views on such diverse subjects as animals, folk at work, families and home life, aliens, superheroes, food and sport. Quick to read, and easy to learn and recite, the results will fire up the dullest imagination and inspire children to put pen to paper and write their own verses of madness and mayhem. King O the Midden: Manky Mingin Rhymes in Scots (Itchy Coo).

The most wide-ranging anthology of twentieth-century poetry in English and Scots available Selected for the pleasure and interest they offer these poems span the entire century. While the major figures, Hugh MacDiarmid, Norman MacCaig, Iain Crichton Smith, and George Mackay Brown, are generously represented, there are many other voices, from the master balladeer of the Yukon, Robert Service, to the internationally known psychiatrist R. D. Laing, the distinguished economist Sir Alec Cairncross, and the troubled but deeply eloquent Rayne Mackinnon. Women are given due prominence. Readers unfamiliar with Helen Adam will experience a frisson at the sexual tensions of her ballad-poems while Naomi Mitchison reveals her intimate self. The admirable Marion Angus, Violet Jacob, and Helen B. Cruickshank show their talents, while contemporary poets Liz Lochhead, Carol Ann Duffy, Janet Paisley, Jackie Kay, and many others, are well represented. In a century of unprecedented change, the poems also act as a commentary on their times - and Scotland's war poets such as Charles Hamilton Sorley and Hamish Henderson, with their anger and eloquence, are included. With its lively engagement with the real world as well as the world of private creativity, this anthology will contribute to an ongoing sense of Scottish cultural identity. The Edinburgh Book of Twentieth-century Scottish Poetry.