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More Than a Name: Scots Language Awards Nominees give Hope for Businesses an Communities

Forget old textbooks. The real story of the Scots language today is being written in the heart of our communities—in social enterprise cafés, local support initiatives, and businesses that do more than just talk the talk. The nominees for the 2025 Scots Language Awards prove that the “mither tongue” is not just a branding tool, but the voice of a powerful grassroots movement built on action and connection.

This vibrant, community-first revival will be celebrated in Dundee on September 6th. Hosted at Discovery Point by the city’s own Scots Scriever, Taylor Dyson, the awards shine a light on the people and organisations whose deeds truly make them award-worthy.

Actions Speak Louder: The Businesses Building a Better Scotland

Nowhere is this resurgence more powerful than in the businesses that weave Scots into their very fabric. These nominees go far beyond clever branding; their use of the language reflects a deep-seated commitment to their communities.

  • Look at Braw Tea in Broughty Ferry. Its name, the Scots for “good,” is just the start. This social enterprise is dedicated to providing vital training and work experience for disadvantaged women, hosting community cinema nights, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
  • Or consider The Selkie in Dundee. Named after the mythical seal-folk from Scots folklore, this family bistro became a community lifeline, delivering meals to vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • This spirit of engagement is echoed by Dundee’s Run4It, a specialist running shop that actively supports local events and fosters a sense of community through its podcasts on running culture.

Alongside these trailblazers, businesses like Captain Dugwash dog wash in Airdrie, beachside café Dook in St Andrews, and publisher Scunnered Ink are making Scots a visible, everyday part of the commercial landscape. They prove that embracing the language is part of a wider story about local pride and vitality.

This commercial energy is matched by a powerhouse of grassroots projects. From the musical preservation of a fishing dialect in ‘Auchies Spikkin’ Auchie’ to the vital performance platform of ‘Blether – Dundee Scots Nicht’; and from the cultural celebration of ‘Orkney Voices Vaigan b’ the shore’ to the charity fundraising powerhouse that is the ‘Seagully Blonde’ student show, communities are the engine of this revival.

The Unsung Heroes: Nurturing the Next Generation

This grassroots boom is built on a solid foundation laid in Scotland’s schools. The awards rightly honour the dedicated teachers who are ensuring the language is passed on with pride. These educators are not just teaching a subject; they are nurturing a living culture.

Nominees for Scots Teacher o the Year include Antonia Uri of Peterhead Academy, a native Doric speaker who champions the dialect in her writing; Mirren Aird of Perth High School; and Nicola Daniel of Broughton High School in Edinburgh. They are supported by forward-thinking schools that have embedded Scots in their identity.

Meethill Primary School, whose pupils recently won the Doric Film Festival, is nominated for Scots Schuil o the Year, alongside Perth High School, Stanley Primary School, and Turriff Academy. Together, they are creating a pipeline of confident young speakers who see Scots not as an echo of the past, but as the voice of their future.

A Flourishing Creative Scene

This strong community base is fueling an explosion of creativity. The rhythm and soul of local dialects are being brought to life by a diverse range of performers, including storyteller Eileen Budd, singers Josie Duncan and Robyn Stapleton, and actor Lawrence Boothman. They are joined by Aberdeenshire folk sensation Ellie Beaton.

This energy is electric on Scotland’s stages. The nominees for Scots Production o the Year celebrate regional identity, from the Glasgow banter of Up a Close to the Clydesdale drama of So Long, Wee Moon, and the dark comedy of Goodbye Dreamland Bowlarama. The list also includes The Not So Serious Burns Unit, Through the Shortbread Tin, The Concert Party, and the first Scots version of Mistero Buffo.

Even in literature, the connection to community is undeniable, with writers like Shetlandic storyteller Yvonne Tait and Orcadian innovator Josie Giles nominated alongside literary giants. The nominated books tell stories that matter now, from the first LGBT+ inclusive Scots fairy tale, The Lass and The Quine, to the Dundonian public health book for parents, Hiya in There Wee Bairnie.

Your Voice Matters!

The 2025 Scots Language Awards are a celebration of a nationwide movement built on meaningful action. You can be part of it by casting your vote for the champions who are making a real difference.

  • Event: 2025 Scots Language Awards
  • Date & Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 12:30 PM
  • Venue: Discovery Point, Dundee
  • Public Voting Period: August 18 – August 31, 2025
  • Where to Vote: www.scotslanguageawards.com

For more information about the event and to cast your vote, visit the official website at www.scotslanguageawards.com. Join the movement that’s keeping Scots vibrant, relevant, and thriving in communities across Scotland.