Scots Language Awards 2023

That the Parliament congratulates the organisers, nominees and winners of the official 2023 Scots Language Awards, hosted by Alistair Heather, which took place on 16 September 2023 at Johnstone Town Hall, in partnership with Renfrewshire Council; understands that, first started in 2019, the Scots Language Awards showcase the very best of Scots language and culture, while also celebrating the Scots language not only in the arts but, it believes importantly, in daily life, education and business; notes that 13 individuals, projects and businesses received an award on the night, but that there were over 60 worthy nominees; understands that the winners from each category included Scottish playwright and screenwriter, Rona Munro, from Selkirk, who was awarded Scots Writer o the Year, Scots content creator, Lauren Hay, who was named Scots Personality o the Year, Rebecca Logan from Banff Academy, who was named Scots Teacher o the Year, Aberdeenshire teacher, Jamie Fairbairn, who won Scots Speaker o the Year, Monymusk Primary School in Aberdeenshire, which was awarded Scots School o the Year, and Aberdeen Student Show's Ayetanic, which was named Scots Project o the Year; further understands that Thomas Clark from Bellshill won Scots Book o the Year, traditional singer Natalie Chalmers won Scots Performer o the Year, Shane Strachan was named Scots Champion o the Year, and that the Janet Paisley Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to esteemed singer, songwriter and broadcaster, Frieda Morrison; considers that, as well as the award presentations, there was incredible entertainment on display, including a recital from Renfrewshire’s poet laureate, Shaun Moore, talks from esteemed Scottish writers, Cat Cochrane and Shane Strachan, and musical performances from celebrated brother duo, Euan and Lewis McLaughlin, and talented singer, Iona Fyfe; welcomes that a new small grant scheme was also announced at the awards ceremony, with Creative Scotland supporting Hands Up for Trad to provide 20 grants to artists and performers to create new work in the Scots language; thanks all involved in the awards ceremony, including the many sponsors such as the National Library of Scotland, Itchy Coo, Black and White Publishing, the Scottish Book Trust, and further thanks the principal organisers, Hands Up for Trad, for all that it does to promote the Scots language.