Budding Burnses and Betjemans at a Moray school had their creative juices stimulated by a visit from Scotland’s national poet.
Children at Milne’s High School were enchanted as Makar Jackie Kay read her work to the assembled classes.
During her sojourn to the Fochabers school, the poet got involved in special sessions with senior students to inspire the next generation of literary talent.
Pupils were astounded to learn Ms Kay has penned about 1,000 poems during her career.
The spellbound audience laughed at work written from the perspective of politician Nigel Farage, were intrigued by a poem which focused on divorcing your own family, and sat in silence as Ms Kay read work inspired by watching her friend die.
Ms Kay said: “Their questions about the writing process were so fascinating. It showed they already had the right mindset – it’s just about finding the right way to bring it out.
“Some people can be turned off poetry, they think it’s not for them. Once the children saw I was a pretty ordinary person, then they were very enthusiastic.
“Since becoming Makar, I have been really eager to take poetry to rural areas. Moray is such a natural place for it, full of ideas for young imaginations.”
Students have been studying Ms Kay’s poems in class and were able to ask probing questions about her work.
Lorraine MacDonald, principal English teacher at the school, added: “It’s amazing to have someone like that come here to give advice to the pupils – and just hearing her talk about language really expanded their way of thinking.”
