Scots Language Publication Grant
Marjolein Robertson + Roseanne Watt
Da Hametrowe Almanac (Vol. 1: Voar)
Gaada is excited to have been awarded a Scots Language Publication Grant from the Scottish Book Trust. The grant will support the development and publication of Da Hametrowe Almanac (Vol. 1: Voar) a collaboration between two Shetland writers, Marjolein Robertson and Roseanne Watt.
This publication is intended to be the first in a series of four publications that bring together a compendium of Shetland’s natural lore, wisdom, legends and calendar customs. This first volume is titled ‘Voar’, the Shaetlan word for spring and the work pertaining to this time. ‘Voar’ delves into the crofting heritage of Shetland, with a thematic focus on earth, memory and renewal.
We are passionate to foster a community-led ethos with this publication, with the view of commissioning a body of ‘modern folk knowledge’ fit for contemporary Shetland, as well as gathering the older ‘frøtts’ of past generations; e.g. seasonal foraging, a beach-combing guide with associated lore, articles on sustainability, data analysis of natural subjects/phenomena, seasonal community-events etc.
It is our belief that through knowing the language, stories and customs of a place, we become wardens of that place. During a time of urgent climate crisis, we hope our almanac will help in some small way to bring folk in Shetland to a deeper and more mindful connection with their home, language and collective spirit.
“The Scottish Book Trust have awarded £5,500 for this publication and because Gaada is part-funded by the Shetland Charitable Trust and Creative Scotland, our organisation has been able to redistribute the entire Scots Language Publication Grant directly to a host of Shetland story-tellers, including the two lead writers Roseanne and Marjolein, but also a range of smaller honorarium payments for contributions from the wider Shetland community. There is also a reserve for the physical production of the publication supported by Gaada's visual art workshop facilities.”
- Daniel Clark, Gaada Director
Scots Language Publication Grant is administered by Scottish Book Trust and funded by the Scottish Government. The Scots Language Publication Grant was created by the Scots Language Resource Network to support Scottish publishers to publish and promote work written in Scots.
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Gaada is funded by the Shetland Charitable Trust and Creative Scotland.
Marjolein Robertson
Roseanne Watt (photo © Susan Molloy)