Dumfries & Galloway now has a special ambassador for the Scots language. DGAA and Dumfries & Galloway Libraries, Information and Archives have appointed a new Robert Burns Writing Fellow, to promote literature in Scots. Poet Rab Wilson, from Sanquhar is already a well-kent face in the region.
Rab is rapidly becoming one of Scotland’s foremost Scots language poets. He has published two books of poetry with Luath Press, a Scots version of the Rubai’yat of Omar Khayam and ‘Accent o’ the Mind’, a collection of his own poems.
Within the region he has worked to promote writing in Scots, and to promote creative writing with children, particularly in Upper Nithsdale. He recently took part in DGAA’s writers exchange with Kiltimagh, in County Mayo, taking his passion for Scots to the west of Ireland, and has spoken about the Scots language and performed his own work at events throughout Scotland.
Literature Development Officer Andrew Forster said ‘Many readers tell us they are wary of reading Scots, but once they take the plunge there’s a whole universe of wonderful literature for them to enjoy. Rab is a marvellous performer and his enthusiasm for the Scots language will make him a wonderful guide.’
Rab is delighted to be holding the Fellowship. He says ‘I’m particularly looking forward to getting to some of the wee communities in Dumfries & Galloway who can’t always access cultural experiences, because that’s the spirit of Burns.’
Among the many things planned for the six-months of the Fellowship are a series of Burns Night talks, picking up where Hamish MacDonald, the first Robert Burns Fellow, left off, by using Burns Season to look at the legacy of Burns in the 21st century. Rab is also planning to take Scottish literature in unexpected places, and plans to go out with the mobile libraries to read Scots poems to people as they change their books! Watch this space!
Firstly, though, Rab is planning a series of introductions to Scots literature, which will take place in libraries throughout Dumfries & Galloway in November and December.
Dates confirmed are:
Lochthorn Library, Dumfries Tuesday 20th November 7.00 pm
Stranraer Library Tuesday 27th November 7.15 pm
Lockerbie Library Tuesday 4th December 10.30 am
Georgetown Library, Dumfries Wednesday 5th December 10.00 am
Castle Douglas Thursday 6th December 6.30pm
Newton Stewart Library Tuesday 11th December 10.30am
For further information about the Robert Burns Fellowship Reading Scots Project contact Andrew Forster on 01387 253383 or andrew@dgaa.net
Rab is rapidly becoming one of Scotland’s foremost Scots language poets. He has published two books of poetry with Luath Press, a Scots version of the Rubai’yat of Omar Khayam and ‘Accent o’ the Mind’, a collection of his own poems.
Within the region he has worked to promote writing in Scots, and to promote creative writing with children, particularly in Upper Nithsdale. He recently took part in DGAA’s writers exchange with Kiltimagh, in County Mayo, taking his passion for Scots to the west of Ireland, and has spoken about the Scots language and performed his own work at events throughout Scotland.
Literature Development Officer Andrew Forster said ‘Many readers tell us they are wary of reading Scots, but once they take the plunge there’s a whole universe of wonderful literature for them to enjoy. Rab is a marvellous performer and his enthusiasm for the Scots language will make him a wonderful guide.’
Rab is delighted to be holding the Fellowship. He says ‘I’m particularly looking forward to getting to some of the wee communities in Dumfries & Galloway who can’t always access cultural experiences, because that’s the spirit of Burns.’
Among the many things planned for the six-months of the Fellowship are a series of Burns Night talks, picking up where Hamish MacDonald, the first Robert Burns Fellow, left off, by using Burns Season to look at the legacy of Burns in the 21st century. Rab is also planning to take Scottish literature in unexpected places, and plans to go out with the mobile libraries to read Scots poems to people as they change their books! Watch this space!
Firstly, though, Rab is planning a series of introductions to Scots literature, which will take place in libraries throughout Dumfries & Galloway in November and December.
Dates confirmed are:
Lochthorn Library, Dumfries Tuesday 20th November 7.00 pm
Stranraer Library Tuesday 27th November 7.15 pm
Lockerbie Library Tuesday 4th December 10.30 am
Georgetown Library, Dumfries Wednesday 5th December 10.00 am
Castle Douglas Thursday 6th December 6.30pm
Newton Stewart Library Tuesday 11th December 10.30am
For further information about the Robert Burns Fellowship Reading Scots Project contact Andrew Forster on 01387 253383 or andrew@dgaa.net
