University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate Lucy Beth has been named Scots Writer o the Year at the Scots Language Awards 2026. Previous winners of the award include Morna Young, Liz Lochhead and Rona Munro.
A native Doric speaker (the traditional dialect of the Scots Language spoken in the North East of Scotland), Lucy graduated from UWS in 2020 with a BA (Hons) degree in Performance and seeks to make and perform work in Doric as a means of continuing to render the dialect present.
Her recent credits include solo show Ma Name is Isabelle, performed at The Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, and a spoken-word poem celebrating the 120th anniversary of His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen.
Reacting to the award Lucy said: “A’m fair trickit tae announce aat A hiv been awarded e Scots Writer o e Year Award.
“Muckle thanks tae Hands Up For Trad for the Scots Language Awards and tae aabody aat voted fur me. A greatly appreciate aabody’s support and interest in ma wark.
“It is an honour tae share ma wark wi fowlk. A will use iss award wisely, sae A cin dae exactly aat.”
“I am delighted to announce that I have been awarded the Scots Writer of the Year award.
“Many thanks to Hands Up for Trad for the Scots Language Awards and to everybody who voted for me. I greatly appreciate everybody’s support and interest in my work.
“It is an honour to share my work with others. I will use this award wisely so I can do exactly that.”
The Scots Language Awards honour the individuals, organisations and communities who actively use Scots – one of the three indigenous languages of Scotland – in their everyday work and life, helping preserve and promote a core pillar of the nation’s heritage and identity.
The eighth edition saw a 49-strong shortlist from across the worlds of literature, performing arts, education and business vie for 13 awards.
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.”
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.”
The Scots Language Awards are one of several flagship national events and community outreach activities that Hands Up Trad are involved in to help celebrate, promote and increase the profile of Scottish traditional culture. Find out more about Lucy Beth’s work at her website: https://www.lucy-beth-performer.com/