Parliamentary Motions 2022
"Writing Rammy" Award Winners Announced
Submitted by: Stephen Kerr, Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
Date lodged: Friday, November 18, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey, Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Rachael Hamilton, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Roz McCall, Alexander Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Annie Wells, Brian Whittle
That the Parliament congratulates all those who won prizes at the fifth edition of "Writing Rammy", a competition organised by staff at Falkirk Council's library services to encourage people of all ages to write poetry and fiction; understands that the timing of the prize-giving is designed to coincide with Book Week Scotland; is encouraged to hear that some of the entries submitted were in the local dialect of Scots, and recognises the important role that writing and reading plays in the education of children.
The Future of Gaelic and Scots
Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Monday, November 14, 2022
Supported by: Clare Haughey, Jamie Hepburn
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Click here to watch the debate on the SLC's YouTube channel.
Motions as amended
That the Scottish Government recognises the value of Gaelic and Scots and welcomes efforts of public bodies, stakeholders and the communities in supporting their growth and development; welcomes the progress that has been made in recent years with support for Gaelic in community initiatives, guidance and legislation, national structures and a wide range of projects and educational resources; further welcomes Scottish Government commitments to build on this progress, including the introduction of a Scottish Languages Bill in this parliamentary session, the establishment of a new strategic approach to Gaelic Medium Education, the development of a Gàidhealtachd, and reviewing the structure and functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig; calls on all MSPs to promote the Scottish Government’s ongoing consultation on these commitments, to encourage people across Scotland to play their part in supporting a vibrant future for Gaelic and Scots; acknowledges that challenges exist in the promotion of Gaelic, in particular, the difficulties facing local authorities in filling Gaelic Medium Education teacher vacancies at primary and secondary level, with a consequential impact on subject choice in schools; urges MSPs to unite collectively to address these issues so that all of Scotland's languages can flourish; highlights the importance of protecting Gaelic and halting its decline in its heartlands in recent decades, by ensuring the increase of Gaelic speakers and protecting current Gaelic speaking communities by providing good quality jobs and housing to arrest depopulation in these areas, and by addressing current issues around regional economic inequality, connectivity and transport infrastructure as a matter of urgency; recognises the diversity of learners and speakers of Gaelic and Scots, and believes that more must be done to bring the promotion of these languages closer to communities across Scotland, and understands that cultural and social infrastructure across the country plays a key role in promoting local histories and languages that must be protected and enhanced.
Original motion text
That the Scottish Government recognises the value of Gaelic and Scots and welcomes efforts of public bodies, stakeholders and the communities in supporting their growth and development; welcomes the progress that has been made in recent years with support for Gaelic in community initiatives, guidance and legislation, national structures and a wide range of projects and educational resources; further welcomes Scottish Government commitments to build on this progress, including the introduction of a Scottish Languages Bill in this parliamentary session, the establishment of a new strategic approach to Gaelic Medium Education, the development of a Gàidhealtachd, and reviewing the structure and functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and calls on all MSPs to promote the Scottish Government’s ongoing consultation on these commitments, to encourage people across Scotland to play their part in supporting a vibrant future for Gaelic and Scots.
Doric TV Wins Group Category in 2022 Doric Film Festival
Submitted by: Gillian Martin, Aberdeenshire East, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Ariane Burgess, Stephanie Callaghan, Donald Cameron, Maggie Chapman, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Kaukab Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance
That the Parliament congratulates Cruden Bay-based Doric TV for winning the group category at the 2022 Doric Film Festival; understands that the film festival invited people to submit films up to five minutes long, which expressed north east stories, personal or otherwise, in the Doric language and reflect its cultural identity with the theme of “A sense o’ time”; understands that an awards ceremony was held in June 2022 where the short-listed films were presented on the big screen before the winners of each category were announced; notes that the winners of each category were awarded a cheque for £500; acknowledges that Doric TV’s film Doric Future brought together five Doric enthusiasts on a Zoom call recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown period; understands that the film’s participants presented memories of their personal past, what Doric means to them, and thoughts on the importance of preserving Doric into the future, and wishes Doric TV every success in their future projects.
Congratulations to Amanda Dunn – Scots Language Teacher of the Year
Submitted by: Willie Coffey, Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Thursday, October 6, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Alasdair Allan, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Graeme Dey, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Pam Gosal, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Fulton MacGregor, Gillian Martin, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Elena Whitham
That the Parliament congratulates Kilmarnock primary school teacher Amanda Dunn on being awarded the Scots Language Teacher of the Year Award at the recent national Scots Language Awards; recognises that the prestigious awards were held in Dundee, with several thousands of public votes being recorded; further recognises that the awards are organised by Hands up for Trad, Scotland’s traditional culture, music and arts organisation, and understands that Amanda was nominated by parents and carers from Shortlees Primary School in Kilmarnock for her amazing work promoting the Scots language, and "weel done tae a’winners".
Shetlander, Marjolein Robertson, Wins 2022 Scots Speaker of the Year Award
Submitted by: Beatrice Wishart, Shetland Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Date lodged: Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Jackie Dunbar, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Pam Gosal, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Douglas Lumsden, Fulton MacGregor, Gillian Mackay, Liam McArthur, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Douglas Ross, Collette Stevenson, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Tess White, Martin Whitfield
That the Parliament congratulates Marjolein Robertson from Shetland for winning Scots Speaker of the Year at the 2022 Scots Language Awards; understands that Ms Robertson is a comedian and storyteller from Shetland, who draws inspiration in her work from her home in Shetland, and posts popular Shetland word of the day videos online; further understands that the Scots Language Awards were founded in 2019 to celebrate Scots language by the culture, music and arts organisation Stand Up for Trad, in association with Creative Scotland; commends Ms Robertson for her dialect and language work, which enables it to reach new audiences, and wishes her all the best in her career.
Annual Scots Language Awards
Submitted by: Emma Harper, South Scotland, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Thursday, September 29, 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Supported by: Karen Adam, Alasdair Allan, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Graeme Dey, Bob Doris, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Pam Gosal, Christine Grahame, Rachael Hamilton, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Gillian Martin, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Audrey Nicoll, Emma Roddick, Kaukab Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Evelyn Tweed
That the Parliament congratulates the 2022 winners of the Scots Language Awards at a ceremony at Dundee’s Gardyne Theatre on 24 September 2022; understands that the night was hosted by social media personality and poet, Len Pennie, and presenter and columnist, Alistair Heather, and was live-streamed to international audiences around the world, as well as to folks here in Scotland; understands that the organisers, Hands Up for Trad, Scotland’s traditional culture, music and arts organisation, founded the Awards in 2019 to celebrate Scots culture and language, alongside social media campaign success #GiesAScotsPhraseDay, as part of the United Nations Year of Indigenous Languages; further understands that the Awards are designed to recognise the fantastic efforts and work of the people and organisations, who all use and speak Scots; applauds the winners of the 2022 Awards including Janet Paisley for Services to Scots, Anne Donovan who won the Scots Champion Award, Dr Jamie Fairbairn, Young Scots Writer of the Year, Eva McMillan, Scots Writer of the Year, Liz Lochhead, Scots Media Person of the Year, Doric Dad, Scots Bairns Book of the Year, Scots Speaker of the Year, Marjolein Robertson, Scots Teacher of the Year, Amanda Dunn, Shortlees Primary School, Kilmarnock, Scots School of the Year, Mearns Academy in Aberdeenshire, Scots Project of the Year, The Maiden’s Leap by Historic Environment Scotland and Perth High School, Scots Book of the Year, Be guid tae yer Mammy, Emma Grae, Scots Performer of the Year, Alan Reid aka Bundy and Scots Business of the Year, ReStore, Lossiemouth; additionally thanks all the event sponsors, including the Scottish Government, Scots Language Centre and Education Scotland, for providing sponsorship and support to the Award, and wishes the winners, as well as the organisers and sponsors of these annual awards, all the best for their future endeavours and for all the work that they do to promote Scots on behalf of Scotland’s 1.5 million Scots speakers.
Doric Books
Submitted by: Karen Adam, Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Thursday, September 29, 2022
Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Pam Gosal, Christine Grahame, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Fulton MacGregor, Gillian Martin, Emma Roddick, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance
That the Parliament commends the on-going work of Doric Books, whose publications written in the north east tongue adds to the thriving cultural revival of Doric in the north east; notes the launch of its new book, Cedric e Flapper Skate to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Macduff aquarium, which tells the story of a flapper skate who was a resident in the aquarium, and thanks the author, Jackie Ross, and everyone who has made the launch of the book possible.
Greenock Burns Club Bringing the Bard Into Inverclyde Schools
Submitted by: Stuart McMillan, Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Bob Doris, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Pam Gosal, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Audrey Nicoll, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance
That the Parliament welcomes Greenock Burns Club’s new collaboration aimed at teaching Inverclyde school pupils about Robert Burns and the Scots language; notes that the programme will feature competitions, workshops and an all-new Burns heritage trail, and that the Mother Club has already been working closely with Ardgowan Primary and St Michael’s Primary to plan sessions; understands that the Club wants to focus on community engagement and highlight Burns’ links to Inverclyde, using the bard as a vector for promoting the Scots language; further understands that club members have offered to visit local schools to perform Burns to pupils, and also to support teachers and pupils looking to learn more about Burns and Scots; believes that projects like this can be a fun way for pupils to learn about local and national history, and wishes Greenock Burns Club all the best as it embarks on this new programme.
Live Literature School Residency at Turriff Academy
Submitted by: Maggie Chapman, North East Scotland, Scottish Green Party.
Date lodged: Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Pam Gosal, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Stuart McMillan, Mark Ruskell, Paul Sweeney
That the Parliament celebrates the news that Turriff Academy has received funding through the Live Literature School Residencies programme; notes that renowned storyteller, Pauline Cordiner, whose work centres on the fishing and farming traditions of the north east, will be the author-in-residence at Turriff Academy; understands that Pauline, an Aberdeen native and staunch supporter of Doric and Scots languages, has been involved in many storytelling events and projects throughout the north east as well as across Scotland and the wider UK; understands that staff from previous schools that have been awarded a residency have praised the programme, stating that it empowers teachers when teaching creative writing, improves students’ confidence and enthusiasm in both reading and writing, and has helped to create a reading culture in their schools; considers the support provided by the Live Literature programme to be invaluable to communities across Scotland, and wishes Pauline and Turriff Academy all the best in the coming year and beyond.
Gourock Performer Collects Student BAFTAS Award
Submitted by: Stuart McMillan, Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Thursday, August 25, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Foysol Choudhury, Annabelle Ewing, Kenneth Gibson, Pam Gosal, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Gillian Martin, Jenni Minto, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance
That the Parliament congratulates Fiona McNeill, from Gourock, on being flown to Los Angeles for the Student BAFTAS after narrating award-winning virtual reality project, AONAR; understands that the Scottish folklore themed project was created by Glasgow School of Art student, Austin Wolfe and saw off 740 rival submissions to come out on top in the immersive category at the awards ceremony; notes that AONAR follows the story of a Scottish lighthouse keeper; further notes that the computer-generated simulation has received funding from the Scottish Government following the award, and wishes Fiona all the best for the future as she prepares to learn the script in both Gaelic and Scots in order to expand the project.
Newtyle Author Wins Sir Walter Scott Prize
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Thursday, June 30, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Alasdair Allan, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Murdo Fraser, Kenneth Gibson, Pam Gosal, Bill Kidd, Gillian Martin, Stuart McMillan, Jenni Minto, Audrey Nicoll, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance
That the Parliament congratulates the Scots author, James Robertson, of Newtyle in Angus, on winning the £25,000 Sir Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, presented to him by the Duke of Buccleuch at the Borders Book Festival in Melrose, for his book, News of the Dead; recognises that James is the second Scot to win this award and understands that this is the first time that a book set in Scotland has received it; notes that James’ prize novel was commended on its ambition, originality, innovation, enduring appeal and quality of writing; appreciates that the work of Sir Walter Scott played a great influence in James’ own writing, and commends James on his valuable contributions to Scottish literature.
Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No1 Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Submitted by: Emma Harper, South Scotland, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Friday, April 8, 2022
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Supported by: Karen Adam, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Pam Gosal, Christine Grahame, Bill Kidd, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Tess White
That the Parliament congratulates the Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No1 on holding its 90th anniversary dinner celebration at the Carindale Hotel in Dumfries on 1 April 2022; understands that the original celebration was planned for 2020 but, due to COVID-19 protective measures, it was delayed to 2022; notes that the Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No1 promotes and celebrates the life and works of Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns, across the community of Dumfries and that the club encourages Scots poetry and song and discussion; understands that the 90th anniversary dinner was chaired by the president Kate Kaye, with the top table piped in by Shannon McMinn, with a keynote address from the Robert Burns World Federation immediate past president, Brian Goldie, fraternal greetings announced by the secretary, Jane Brown, and with the commemorative cake cut by the longest serving club member in attendance, Betty Haining, who has over 50 years of active membership; recognises that there was talent and entertainment from John Caskie MBE, with Willie McRobert accompanying on accordion, recitation and song from the youngest member, Rose Byres, and a performance from Margaret Nelson, with the pianist, Stewart Henderson; thanks the Dumfries Ladies Burns Club No1 for all that it does to promote, celebrate and keep alive the works of Burns, and for putting a welcome focus on the use of Scots, one of Scotland’s national languages, and wishes the club, and all its members, every success for the future.
Recognising International Mother Tongue Day and "A Sonsie Face"
Submitted by: Clare Adamson, Motherwell and Wishaw, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Stephanie Callaghan, Bob Doris, Annabelle Ewing, Joe FitzPatrick, Pam Gosal, Christine Grahame, Bill Kidd, Rona Mackay, Ruth Maguire, John Mason, Stuart McMillan, Kaukab Stewart, Michelle Thomson, David Torrance, Evelyn Tweed
That the Parliament recognises International Mother Tongue day, which took place on 21 February 2022; further recognises the artwork by the Flying Haggis, commissioned by the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Robert Burns Studies to mark the end of a two-year project researching the history of Burns suppers and mapping these events in the 21st century; understands that over 350 "sonsie faces" and several selfies of "great chieftains o the puddin'-race" were submitted, with 30 to 40 being superimposed onto the 21st Century Burn’s Supper Collage; understands that Professor Gerard Carruthers, co-director of the Centre for Robert Burns Studies, reportedly estimates that over 9.5 million people around the world take part in a Burns supper every year; recognises what it sees as the importance of promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism; notes that autocorrect does not allow for mother tongue words, quotes or sayings, which, it understands, reportedly led to Ruth Wishart’s temporary public ban on social media after she initially called musician Curtis Stigers' wee dug a "sonsie laddie" only for autocorrect to amend this to "so die laddie"; considers it fortunate that autocorrect was not present when Burns sent his poem to the Glasgow Courier in 1795, and that otherwise the entire work of Burns could have been a costly ban for Scotland; notes the findings of a report by Professor Murray Pittock, commissioned by the Scottish Government, which, it understands, showed that Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, is worth just over £200 million a year to the Scottish economy and that the poet’s brand is worth nearly £140 million annually; understands that Burns Night alone, on 25 January, represents a turnover of £11 million in Scotland and that the demand for haggis has increased six fold; welcomes that haggis makers have created new recipes to cater for the 21st century palate; believes that, as a result, "some hae meat and canna eat and some wad eat that want it, but we now hae meat, gluten free and vegetarian haggis and can now all eat and say the lord be thankit"; notes that the Scots Mother tongue still flows freely from the mouths of children and adults alike, all thanks, it believes, to Robert Burns, and wishes Stanley a happy first birthday with "his wee sonsie face a' aw".
Doric Speaking Scanner, Most Advanced in the UK
Submitted by: Jackie Dunbar, Aberdeen Donside, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Monday, February 7, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Graeme Dey, Annabelle Ewing, Christine Grahame, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Douglas Lumsden, Fulton MacGregor, Rona Mackay, Ruth Maguire, Gillian Martin, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Kaukab Stewart, David Torrance, Mercedes Villalba
That the Parliament welcomes the recent announcement that the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, located at the Biomedical Imaging Centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, has recently undergone a £1.2 million upgrade; notes that the MRI scanner can deliver instructions to patients in 17 different languages, including French and Spanish, with the ability to add additional languages; believes that the ability to speak in a number of different languages, including the local dialect of the north east, Doric, will help to reassure patients at what may be an unnerving period; considers that, for a number of patients in the north east, hearing a well-known voice may help to reassure them and allow them to feel at ease, with, it understands, 36% of individuals in Aberdeen City identifying as Scots speakers; understands that the new scanner is one of the most up to date and advanced machines in the UK, with a 30% faster operating speed, and that it will help medical teams in the NHS Grampian health board area get clearer images, which, in turn will help lead to a more accurate diagnosis for patients, and believes that this will result in patients being able to get the care they need and deserve.
The Member has provided the following translation
Doric Spikin Scanner, Maist Advanced in the UK
That Pairliament is juist fair chuffed wi the recent annooncement aboot the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner that bides at the Biomedical Imaging Centre in Aiberdeen Royal Firmary that haes recently been riggit oot wi a new £1.2 million upgrade; notes that the MRI scanner can spik instructions tae fowk in sivinteen different languages includin French an Spanish, tae name juist a puckle, wi the ability tae add mair efter; unnerstaands that throu the ability tae spik in a fair few different twangs, includin oor vera ain Doric, it will help gie fowk comfort at fit could be an affa scary time; unnerstaands that for a fair few fowk in the North East, hearin a weel kent accent will help pit them at ease as 36% o fowk in Aiberdeen alane associate theirsels wi spikin the Scots Language; further notes that the Doric spikkin scanner is ane o the maist up tae date machines in the UK, wi a 30% faister operatin speed an is set up tae help medical teams in the NHS Grampian Health Board area get clearer pictures fit in turn will help lead tae a mair accurate diagnosis for patients bein able toaeget the luikin efter they need an deserve.
Oriana Strahan’s Poem Wins First Place in Words of the World Competition
Submitted by: Kenneth Gibson, Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party.
Date lodged: Thursday, January 13, 2022
Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Sharon Dowey, Annabelle Ewing, Fergus Ewing, Pam Gosal, Ross Greer, Emma Harper, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Jenni Minto, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Evelyn Tweed
That the Parliament congratulates Oriana Strahan, a 12-year-old Largs Academy pupil, on winning the Words of the World competition, which is run by Scotland’s National Centre for Languages; recognises that the competition challenges young writers to use a language other than English to highlight their ideas, hopes or advice for the world; understands that the first year pupil wrote the winning poem, Power and Peace, in Scots, on the subject of the witch trials in Scotland with an underlying message emphasising the struggles that women still face in society, in light of the recent Sarah Everard case, and wishes Oriana the best in the future as she continues with her passion for poetry.