Industry Insider – Who’s reading in Scots and Gaelic?
13 July @ 19:30 - 20:30 BST

Join us to discuss the cultural importance and marketability of publishing works in Scotland’s indigenous languages, Scots and Gaelic.
Panellists Ceitidh Hutton, who writes in Gaelic, Scots and English, and Susi Briggs, who writes in Scots, will talk about why they write in their chosen language, who their audiences are and what can be done to expand the use and knowledge of minority languages. The session will be chaired by Claire Watts, a member of the SoA in Scotland Committee.
This event is produced by the SoA in Scotland Committee.
Programme
- Welcome, housekeeping and introductions by Claire Watts (5 mins)
- Panel discussion chaired by Claire Watts with Susi Briggs and Ceitidh Hutton (30 mins)
- Questions from the audience (20 mins)
- Summary and closing comments from Claire Watts (5 mins)
Who is this session for?
Anyone interested in learning about the cultural importance of Scotland’s indigenous languages, Scots and Gaelic, or those who write (or wish to write) in a minority language.
What will this session cover?
- A discussion about the cultural importance of Scotland’s indigenous languages, Scots and Gaelic.
- The marketability of publishing works in Scotland’s indigenous languages.
- Why authors choose to write in their minority language.
- A look at the audience and a discussion about what can be done to expand the use and knowledge of minority languages.
Send us your questions in advance
If you would like to send questions in advance, email HParry@societyofauthors.org with ‘Scots and Gaelic’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and will answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.
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The Line-Up
Claire Watts
Claire Watts is a member of the committee of the Society of Authors in Scotland. She’s been a writer and editor of fiction and nonfiction for children for over thirty years. Although she’s lived in Scotland for the past twenty-five years, she speaks neither Scots nor Gaelic, but she doesn’t have to have as many Scots words explained to her as she used to.
Website: www.clairejwatts.com | Twitter: @evangelinecluck
Susi Briggs
Susi Briggs is an award-winning author, storyteller and musician from Dumfries and Galloway. A Scots language advocate promoting visibility and literacy, Susi writes songs, poetry, stories and picture books. Susi and her best pal Alan McClure co-host, write and produce Oor Wee Podcast, a storytelling and sang show, a globally-acclaimed audible bubble o bliss awa fae the keechstorms o being grown up. You can hear and read Susi’s work in various places including the Scots Hoose and BBC Scotland websites.
Susi is the regular compere for Brave New Words and sings the blues with Wave Blues Band every chance she can get! Susi is registered with the Scottish Book Trust and the Scottish Storytelling Centre. It is not unknown to meet her as Susi Sweet Pea Fairy when she is performing as a storyteller. When she’s no doing all o that she visits care homes to lead Music and Story Matters sessions.
Website: www.susibriggs.co.uk | Twitter: @SusiBriggs1 | Instagram: @susibriggsnipnebs
Ceitidh Hutton
Ceitidh Hutton spent many years as a Gaelic Development Officer working around the spectacular North Highlands of Scotland. She writes in Gàidhlig for children and in English with a wee bit of Scots and Gaelic for adults. Her picture book, Grumpa agus an Latha Fuaimneach, won best young children’s book at the Royal National Mod in 2019. Ceitidh was also shortlisted in 2020 Gaelic Literacy Awards for an unpublished story.
Her English writing, The Blàs Series, follows the lives of a multi-generational group of women in a small rural Highland village. Ceitidh is registered with the Scottish Book Trust Live Literacy Programme and delivers Gaelic Bookbug, with a wide range of puppets to help. She is the secretary of the Society of Authors in Scotland as well as a member of of ALLi (The Alliance of Independent Authors).
Website: www.cchuttonwriter.com | Instagram: @cchuttonwriter
About Society of Authors in Scotland (SoAis)
The SoA in Scotland (SoAiS) is a nation group of the Society of Authors. Members with a Scottish postcode are added to the group when they join the SoA. If you have not been added but would like to join this group, please contact us.
We offer a varied calendar of activities organised by a committee of volunteers and a staff coordinator. Group activities are reported in the SoA’s quarterly magazine, The Author.
Need to know
Before the event
- Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
- If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk /spam email folder
- Please add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation, and reminder emails
During the event
- This online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box
- This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen
- Attendees have the option to turn on the live transcript option
- This event is 60 minutes
After the event
- Hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
- You’ll be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel
Booking
Book your place using the registration form below.
All SoA @ Home events are free, if you can afford it, we recommend a minimum £5 donation to the Authors’ Contingency Fund to help us support authors facing financial hardship during the health crisis. DONATE HERE
Register
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