Culture - Spikin up fur Scots Photo by Alan Findlay CC BY-SA 2.0 Sign in Glen Tanar
Spikin up fur Scots
by Paul Kelbie
L
ast month millions of people across the globe honoured the birth of Robert Burns, an Ayrshire farmer who wrote some of the world’s most famous poetry and songs in a language unique to Scotland. Burns wrote as he spoke in the 18th century and he has been lauded for it for more than 220 years. However, modern day
p14
proponents of the same language are often harangued, ridiculed and attacked by those fearful of the power of a ‘guid Scots tongue’. Fife poet Len Pennie and Aberdeenshire singer Iona Fyfe are leading lights of a new generation of proud Scots speakers. They have received accolades and gathered thousands of followers from around the world who enjoy what they do.
Although still only 21-years-old Len has attracted attention from as far away as Australia after posting a poem called ‘I’m No Havin’ Children’ and a series of ‘Scots Word of the Day’ videos on social media. She is now one of the country’s most high-profile campaigners for a language spoken by more than 1.5million people. Award winning singer Iona, 22, is in increasing demand for performances around the world.
