Makar (National Poet for Scotland)
| Makar | |
|---|---|
| National Poet for Scotland | |
| Nominator | Scottish Government |
| Appointer | First Minister |
| Term length | 3 years |
| Formation | 2004 |
| First holder | Edwin Morgan |
| Salary | £15,000 |
The Makar or National Poet for Scotland is the national poet laureate of Scotland. The current Makar is Kathleen Jamie, who was appointed in August 2021.[1] Holders of the post are appointed by the Scottish Government and supported by the Scottish Poetry Library.
Role
[edit]The Makar's responsibilities include:
- taking a leadership role in promoting poetry nationally
- producing poems relating to significant national events
- encouraging the reading and writing of poetry, particularly by young people
- reading their poems publicly, at public events, and commenting publicly on poetry, the arts and any and all related matters in Scotland and internationally
- preparing a report on their experience in the role each year
The stipend for the post is £15,000 per year for 3 years, to recompense the Makar for their time in writing or attending events in this role.[2] The post is appointed by the Scottish Government in an unregulated appointment.[3] The Scottish Poetry Library provides support to the post including media handling, festival booking and web presence.
Appointment process
[edit]With the appointment of Kathleen Jamie in 2021, the Scottish Government convened an expert panel representing Scotland's literary sector to consider nominations for the next Makar and agree upon a recommendation to put to the First Minister.[4] The panel members were:
- David Seers, Head of Sponsorship and Funding Team, Culture and Historic Environment Division, Scottish Government, (Chair)
- Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing, Creative Scotland
- Jackie Cromarty, Associate Director of External Relations, National Library of Scotland
- Dr David Goldie, President, Association for Scottish Literary Studies
- Peggy Hughes, Chair, Literature Alliance Scotland
- Eleanor Livingstone, Former Festival Director, Stanza Poetry Festival
- Marjorie Lotfi, Poet, Director of Open Book and Chair of Board of Trustees, Wigtown Book Festival
- Dr Robyn Marsack, former Director of the Scottish Poetry Library
- Dr Peter Mackay, Lecturer in English, University of St Andrews and poet
- Michael Pedersen, Poet and Poetry Programmer, Neu!Reekie!
The term of the Makar is now 3 years, rather than the 5 years which it had previously been.[5]
Makars
[edit]- Edwin Morgan (2004-2010)
- Liz Lochhead (2011-2016)
- Jackie Kay (2016-2021)
- Kathleen Jamie (2021–present)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Kathleen Jamie announced as Scotland's new Makar". BBC News. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ Hepburn, David (3 October 2023). "Scots Makar: Who appoints the National Poet for Scotland, duties, pay, length of service, previous appointees". The Scotsman. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "Celebrating Scotland's Makar". News:Scottish Government. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "New Scots Makar". News:Scottish Government. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Kathleen Jamie announced as Scotland's new Makar". BBC News. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.