Young bards celebrate the nation

Scotland’s young people give some fascinating views of life north of the Border in a new book of poems and stories about our nation

SO, WHAT do young people think of life in Scotland? A new book, My Scotland, by David Simpson and Richard Callaghan, offers a rare insight. As well as taking a wry look at 366 fascinating and quirky stories about the history and people of Scotland, it also includes the winning 12 entries from the My Scotland Young Writers competition.

The competition was open to children aged 8-12, who were invited to write a short piece about some aspect of their country. Their responses dealt with every aspect of Scottish culture and history, from William Wallace to the landscape of the Lochs.

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Simpson says the quality of the submissions was high, and that competition was stiff. “We didn’t want to choose too many too similar stories, so we looked for the ones that made us smile and above all showed passion for Scotland, or for their particular patch of Scotland.”

As you can see from the winners, reprinted here, strong themes emerged, among them Scotland’s infamous weather, and strong views about Scottish politics, notably the country’s relationship with its neighbour to the south.

“We weren’t really surprised by that,” says Simpson. “One of the features of Scotland’s political history is that it’s dominated by the relationship with England. We asked the kids to write about what Scotland means to them, and said that Scottish history was an important element: its heritage, and its landscape. A lot of the kids picked up on that. Both Richard and I are English and live in the north east of England. We have a slightly different perspective because of the historical relationship the north of England has with London, so we weren’t really surprised by the politics. We got quite a nice reception from the students and families. We weren’t sent home packing!”

The idea was to inform while also entertaining, so Simpson and Callaghan ploughed through the history books and toured cyberspace to come up with innovative takes on what makes Scotland and the Scots tick. There are 366 stories – one for every day of a leap year.

Readers will find Mary Queen of Scot’s Facebook page – here, called Crown Book – describing her life. There are 12 pieces about the origins of clan names. In another entry, an Aberdeen Angus cow tells about the history of its breed, which it’s been researching on the Anguscestry.com website. There’s a piece about how the phrase heckling comes out of the Scottish textile trade, something about Irn Bru, and one exploring Scotland’s Doctor Who connection. Simpson says: “Some of the stories are predictable, and some more unusual, as well.”

A SCOTTISH SENSES POEM

BY RACHAEL MURRAY, AGE 9, PITCORTHIE PRIMARY SCHOOL, DUNFERMLINE, FIFE

In Scotland I see lochs where

Nessie larks

In Fife I see Highland coos moving

and mooing

In Dunfermline I see the stained glass windows of the Abbey.

IN Scotland I hear rain falling

fast as lightning

In Fife I hear The Proclaimers sing out loud as people roar

In Dunfermline I hear bagpipes

play at weddings,

so beautiful and haunting.

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In Scotland I taste the old favourites, haggis, neeps and tatties

In Fife I taste a crumbling of shortbread

In Dunfermline I taste tae cakes, which my mum loves.

In Scotland I smell Highland flowers

In Fife I smell lovely heather

In Dunfermline I smell candles in my home.

In Scotland I feel the cold wind

from the hills

In Fife I feel happy to be free

In Dunfermline I feel safe with my friends and family.

SWEETHEART ABBEY

BY ISLA BARCLAY AGE 10, NEW ABBEY PRIMARY

SCHOOL, DUMFRIES

Large red bricks standing tall,

Its shadow falls upon me.

The monks’ spirits drift through the pillars.

John Balliol’s heart hidden in a silver casket,

now left with Lady Devorgilla.

In winter the snow rests upon this beautiful place,

Criffel’s shadow blocks the sun.

this is where wonder lies.

Do you believe me?

SCOTLAND WILL STAY THE SAME

BY NINA JOAN SOSNA, AGE 10, ST ANDREW’S PRIMARY SCHOOL, CUMBERNAULD

Everybody knows Scotland is wet, muddy and cold,

But that does not make me want to leave.

Everybody tells me that Scotland is not a

tourist spot of any sort,

But that does not make me want to leave.

Everybody learns about the deforestation

of Scotland and although we may not be proud

That does not make me want to leave.

Scotland was ruled by countries back in the day,

But that, even that, does not make me

want to leave.

Everybody wants Scotland to be sunny,

modern or popular,

But if that happened,

I would want to leave!

MY SCOTLAND

BY DOAA SHABBIR, AGE 9, THE HIGH SCHOOL OF GLASGOW

Scotland! The home of tatties, tartan, “Rabbie Burns”, William Wallace, the Celtic Football team, “pibroch”, golf and Gaelic. My Scotland is so great words can hardly explain, but I hope this will be close enough.

One of the things I admire about Scotland is its brave people. Scotland has constantly been in wars to fight for what they believe in: independence. Important Scottish legends such as William Wallace and Robert Bruce gave their lives for freedom. Although the history is full of fighters, the people of Scotland are the friendliest I have ever met.

Scotland has produced great inventors like Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Mackintosh. I am proud that they have been brought up in the same place that I am being brought up in. I hope I can do something for Scotland too. As well as good inventors, Scotland is very rich in literature and folk tales.

Scotland has a picturesque landscape. The islands around are very peaceful and beautiful. There are lochs that shimmer in the moonlight like a topaz. Its moors have an excellent view. There is metropolitan life in its cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. There are lots of shopping centres and festivals on. I enjoy being a part of all these.

Overall Scotland is a wonderful place, and I hope this poem will explain:

Look. What can you see?

I see beauty in the lochs.

I see majesty in mountains.

I see legend in rocks.

And it is ours.

A SCOTTISH YEAR

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BY JORDAN JAMES MCMEEKIN, AGE 11, CAMSTRADDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, GLASGOW

In the winter ye hiv

Grey skies, rain and snow,

The highlands are freezing,

The city is cold, the snow is falling.

In the summer ye hiv

A wee bit a sunshine

and they’re

Away tae the beach.

Ye still get mer rain,

Ye still get thunder, but

The landmarks and castles

Are great,

The fitball stadiums

Are amazing.

Scotland is a great place tae stae,

But

The English are rite next door.

THE MANY SCOTS OF SCOTLAND

BY SARAH KATE BRADLEY, right, AGE 12,

BATHGATE ACADEMY, WEST LOTHIAN

Scotland. A place where many things have happened that changed the history of the world. A place that has changed the living standards today. A place of freedom and past victory. A place of beautiful scenery and purple moors. A place where animals enjoy their wild life in the highlands. A place that is independent and strong. A place that is home to millions, a place that is Scotland.

Think about David Tennant. He is from Bathgate, a town in Scotland. He has made many people in Scotland believe that it doesn’t matter if you live in the most fancy city, or the most horrible. He proved to many that you don’t need to live in Hollywood or New York to have your dreams a reality. He proved to Scotland’s citizens that if you aspire to become anything, you just have to believe in yourself. And that’s exactly what he did.

Take Robert Burns; a poet that loved his country and regularly wrote about it. Sean Connery; multi-awarded actor and producer. Gerard Butler; another very famous and talented actor. Shirley Henderson; most known for portraying the character Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter series. These people and many more, like David Tennant, who believed they could achieve something extraordinary, if they tried.

Scotland should be proud of its achievements. In Scotland,

anything can happen. Any dream, any belief, any inspiration. I am proud to be Scottish. I am proud to be a Scot!

THE WIND

BY JAMIE CAMERON WATT, AGE 11, KNOCKANDO

PRIMARY SCHOOL, MORAY

Whistling through the fresh green trees,

Blowing waves on navy seas,

Bustling golden autumn leaves

The wind shall blow,

Moving fast or slow.

Past castles, great and old,

Past purple hills standing bold,

Through winters crisp and cold

The wind shall blow.

Drowning sounds,

Moving debris from the ground,

The wind shall blow

Forever more, in my homeland.

MY SCOTLAND

BY FREYA PATERSON, AGE 9, ANDERSON’S

PRIMARY SCHOOL, FORRES

Scotland is a very adventurous place, from Edinburgh Castle to Sueno’s Stone in Forres. I was saying this to myself as I was climbing the hill. The rushing wind was blowing against me. I heard a voice behind me saying, “What’s it feel like, being blown against the wind?”

I turned round. Suddenly there he was, his kilt blowing, and his whole body was there. His tartan hat was coming off so he had to keep his hands on his hat so it would stay on. It didn’t make sense – one minute he was there the next minute he was gone, I don’t know how he did it. Maybe he was the ghost of Scotland, or maybe I am imagining it – but I couldn’t have, I know it.

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Next thing I saw was the beach, the sand dunes hastening by.

“Can you see the sand dunes racing past?”

“Well, yes, but not very clearly.”

“Well, as long as you can see it.”

The waves were smashing against the brick wall. What was that in the distance? A seal! Amazing! His name was Jo and I told him my name – Lola.

“We are at Findhorn beach,” I told him. Next thing I was getting whizzed around. It felt like a time portal. It was, I knew it! Next I was walking that rufty tufty hill again!

Although I was born in Dr Grey’s hospital, Elgin, I couldn’t live

without Scotland and that is why: it is full of wonders and joy.

I HEARD, I SAW, I FELT SCOTLAND

BY EUAN MCELHINNEY, AGE 10, MILNGAVIE PRIMARY, GLASGOW

As I walk down Glasgow I hear a variety of noises.

I hear buskers, coins being dropped,

I hear high-pitched voices talk, I hear singing,

I hear my own breath.

I hear Glasgow and I hear Scotland.

I looked to each side of me and saw lots of

interesting shops,

People passing by quickly, holding filled bags,

I saw the people who needed getting and I saw Scotland.

I put my hand to the air. I felt the cold but warmth of it,

I felt trickles of rain water running off my hands,

I felt the mist close in, the heat of the sun poking out from behind the clouds

And I felt Scotland sheltering me from harm.

I fell and Scotland gave me a leg up.

I was hurt and Scotland healed me.

I was there but now I am here.

MY SCOTLAND

BY DARREN GROSVENOR, AGE 10, GATESIDE PRIMARY

SCHOOL, BEITH, AYRSHIRE

O bonnie Loch Ness there lives a creature

I ken is scarier than mah teacher.

You’re a great myth, a legend, some say,

I think abit you all day.

Some young folk say yer just a tale

But they don’t even ken if yer male.

Although us folk have nae proof (I bet yer real)

I bet my roof.

You’re very hidden doon there in the sea

I only wish I could join ye for tea.

It msut get away lonely doon there,

Ye must hae friendly nits in yer hair.

Ye must also ken a lot of things, I’m told,

But you are pretty smart, yer ower a hunnerd years auld.

So Ness all that’s left to say,

Is I really hope we meet one day.

WILLIAM WALLACE

BY ELIZABETH MACKENZIE, AGE 10, LIONEL SCHOOL, ISLE OF LEWIS

William Wallace is a brave man,

Braver than he can be,

He fought the mean English,

And that’s how he became history.

People from the English side

Bullied Wallace’s poor family,

William’s poor family

Never lived happily.

An English sheriff

Killed his wife

With one shot of his gun

Or stab from his knife.

An English king killed Wallace

And Wallace got hung, drawn and quartered.

The English won, the war

all done

and the Scottish got slaughtered.

In 1297 is when the war started

And 1305 is when Wallace got captured.

But in the end, guess what happened –

Scotland was enraptured.

So you think England really won?

Naa, it was just a joke!

Scotland actually won

Without the old bloke.

Wallace is our hero

Like Robert Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots.

I can’t name all of them

Because there are lots.

THE STANDING STONES

BY ELLIE GEMMELL, AGE 10, SHAWLANDS PRIMARY SCHOOL, GLASGOW

2011 AD

The 27 stones loom over the grass as sunlight

bathes my head,

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Imagine the people who once visited here, who built and drank and fed.

The tiring work they took on, will wonders never cease,

Grinding, slaving stone by stone, carving, shaping piece by piece.

2011 BC

The men work and work and push and push and pull and pull,

The air goes cold, the sky gone dark but they carry on, their hands their only tool.

The green grass is soft and furry, cold beneath my feet.

The stony ring stands tall and dark, of course

it’s nice and neat.

2011 AD

The ring of stones is packed, there are tourists all around,

And there are people from everywhere, following the stone ring around and round.

The children run, the adults point critically, a frown upon their faces,

So many choose to come here, of all the historic places.

2011 BC

Then just as sunlight shimmers the men begin to shout,

The word is spread all round the town – guess what

we talk about!

It’s finished, Brodgar, The Ring of Brodgar, that shall

be its name,

And if a stone was to fall or be knocked the villagers

would cry in shame.

2011 AD

Just as we’re about to go I say one last goodbye,

I lay my hand upon the stone, and then a thought comes rushing by.

Who has touched this stone, and what stories could it tell

The people who have come? Did they think this as well?

2011 BC

I place my hand on the cold stone ring.

Mother calls me in and people no longer sing.

I wonder who will stand here in a long, long while;

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Will the stones still stand or will they be knocked into an untidy pile?

• My Scotland is priced at £12.99, paperback, and is available from Scottish branches of Waterstone’s and WHSmith, or online at myworldpublishing.co.uk

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