New book revives Scots songs and rhymes

AN INVERNESS singer and storyteller who is helping retain the old Scots language and dialect she learned as a bairn in “the Singing Lands” of Buchan, is about to have printed a book containing many of the fascinating songs and rhymes from times gone by, and that are in danger of dying out.

And LilianRoss, of Bruce Gardens, said that the book, called Yokie Tonsils (Itchy Tonsils) and its accompanying CD, was brought about by demand.

Ms Ross said: “For many years I have been passing on the old songs and stories by the only way I knew, from lip to ear, but so often teachers would ask me if I had anything to leave the children to read. My usual reply was ‘Aye, I’ll leave ye m’ heid’.

“But, as the requests grew, I began to collect a few songs and rhymes, and, thanks to assistance from Fesisean nan Gaidheal and the Scottish Arts Council, the book is about to become a reality.

“Some folk might think that these songs are just echoes of the past, but I would like to think that they will be the voices of our future too.”

Ms Ross, a registered national storyteller, might have her hopes of retaining the old language fulfilled, because she said the new school Curriculum of Excellence is expected to cover the Scots language.