News / Hunt is on for first ever Shaetlan scriever
A SHETLANDER is being sought to take over the prestigious Scots scriever residency for the next year.
The National Library of Scotland is seeking applications for the residency, in partnership with Creative Scotland.
The Scots scriever aims to support the creation of original writing in Scots, as well as the promotion of the language with communities throughout Scotland.
For the first time ever, the library is specifically seeking applicants working in Shetland to be the first Shaetlan scriever.
The successful Shaetlan scriever will produce original written work in Shaetlan in any genre or discipline, and contribute to raising the profile, understanding and appreciation of Shaetlan, as well as Scots language in general.
They will also promote Shaetlan locally and further afield through their creative practice, and via other channels such as events and social media.
National librarian Amina Shah said: “Our Scots scriever initiative truly has gone from strength to strength since we took a regional approach throughout Scotland.
“We’ve covered Orcadian, Doric, Galloway, and Dundonian Scots and now we’re looking for a scriever from Shetland. I’m excited to see who will be successful in this opportunity.”
The primary aim of the 12-month residency is the creation of “exciting” original work in Shaetlan.
The scriever will be expected to set aside a significant amount of time during the residency for the development of new written work.
Funded by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the postholder will receive a monthly fee of £1,250 for the fixed-term residency of 12 months.
Creative Scotland literature officer Alice Tarbuck said the scriever role seeks to celebrate the “richness and diversity of Scots and the communities who speak it”.
“Drawing on the strength of Shetland’s writing culture and the National Library’s collections, the first Shaetlan scriever will contribute to a vibrant and growing community of Scots scrievers and help shine a light on the breadth of contemporary Scots today,” she added.
The application deadline is midday on Friday 12 June, with an appointment expected to be made in early July.
Full details are on the National Library’s website.
The National Library has been celebrating its centenary in Shetland with the final instalment of its OUTWITH programme, including a special exhibition in Shetland Museum and Archives exploring the years that poet Hugh MacDiarmid and his wife Valda Grieve spent in Whalsay.
National Library staff will also be presenting a special edition of National Library Live on Thursday 14 May at Shetland Library, which will include drop-in games and activities for all ages, free talks about the national collections and the chance to ask staff about engaging with the library from afar.
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