The arts organisation, Hands Up for Trad organised the Scots Language Awards 2026 and has now announced the winners in a variety of categories.
These are the awards which honour people who actively use Scots which is one of the three indigenous languages of Scotland in their everyday lives.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre also won the Scots in Business award for their continual programming of and support for the Scots language.
In the performing arts Olivia Caw became Scots Performer of the Year sponsored by TRACS for her role as Bonnie McKay in Common Tongue – a one person play. The Scots Stage Production of the Year was awarded to Through the Shortbread Tin by the National Theatre of Scotland.
The play was described as a ‘poetic, poignant and playful exploration of the myths we tell each other and the stories we tell ourselves’.
The inaugural Scots Language in the Media award, sponsored by Corrie Campbell Communications, went to Millie Graham whose TikTok account, whatsername1.0, has attracted over 3m followers and rising.
Simon Thoumire of Scots Language Award organisers, Hands Up Trad, said: “The sheer variety o work and activities celebratit at these awards is as inspirin as it is impressive. Fae literature and the performin airts, tae education and business, the Scots leid is woven through sae mony pairts o everyday life, which is jist braw tae see.
“Oor congratulations gang tae aw oor worthy nominees and winners, alang wi oor heartfelt gratitude. It’s thanks tae dedication like theirs that oor mither tongue remains truly thriving and relevant in Scotland the day.”
The awards were hosted by Scots singer and storyteller Lynne Campbell with writer and performer Taylor Dyson and the winner was chosen from a shortlist of 49 entries.
Ten of the awards were chosen by the members of the public with an unprecedented 7,000 votes.
Three Scots ambassadors were named – Sheena Wellington won the Janet Paisley Lifetime Achievement Award for her significant contribution to the language over many decades.
Dr Clive Young became Scots Champion for creating one of the first websites dedicated to the Scots language and Innes Ingram won Young Scots Writer o the Year sponsored by Education Scotland.
Karen Dick, Head of Place, Partnerships & Communities at Creative Scotland said: “The Scots Language Awards celebrates all the creative ways the Scots leid is being used to influence Scotland’s culture and identity today and into the future. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees recognised for their amazing work, set to the braw backdrop of Dundee’s silvery Tay. We especially look forward to Scots Language Week and more opportunity to highlight Scots leid talent.”
Next year the first Scots Language Week will take place from 6 to 11 September 2027.
