EAST CENTRAL NORTH
In this document examples of Scots from the East Central North area have been
organised into film clips, songs, poetry and prose. The internet links will take you
to websites where there are more examples such as these, not only for East Central
North but for many regional varieties of Scots.
The name ‘East Central North’ is used to acknowledge the unique variations that appear in
some of the Scots language used in the large area which covers the western half of Angus,
all of Clackmannan, Fife, Kinross, Stirlingshire and Falkirk, and half of Perthshire. The
speakers here will generally refer to their language just as “Scots” although in Dundee we
find “Dundonian” and in Fife, “Fife Scots” All the entries below have links to this area.
Go to the Scots Language Centre website to listen to sound clips, understand characteristics
of East Central North, read a short history and discussion of this regional variety of Scots, as
well as find examples of prominent writers and speakers:
http://www.scotslanguage.com/articles/view/id/4020
FILM
Saint Andrew – Ananinginaneana. This film explores the famous Dundonian expression
which calls for a plain pie and an onion one and the notion that people are reluctant to ask
for what they really want. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c4l_T3KRNo (there is an
underline between the 4l and the T3K) Click here to view and listen.
If Dundee was Africa – Michael Marra. This film shows legendary Dundonian folk singer and
a song which explains where North Africa is by comparing the geography of Scotland to
Southern Europe and Africa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktqsrMgceCs Click here to
watch.
SONG
The Wimmin o Dundee, Sheena Wellington. This song looks at the tradition in Dundee
whereby women went out to work and men stayed at home, because they had no jobs, as
“kettle bilers” www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EJ-iBJUfaY Click here to watch Sheena
Wellington sing the song. http://sangstories.webs.com/wimminodundee.htm Click here to
see the lyrics, a glossary and some of Wellington’s thoughts on the song.
The Jute Mill Song, Dundee, Lowland Folk. This song is about one of the traditional
industries in Dundee – jute. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY0Nu4kXWM4 Click here to hear
the song along with pictures from the mills. www.springthyme.co.uk/1030/cd30_13.htm
There is an underline between 30 and 13) Click here to see the lyrics and read a bit about
Mary Brooksbank who adapted the song.
TEXT: Poetry
Rabbie, Rabbie, Burning Bright by WN Herbert. Here the Dundee Maaker addresses Robert
Burns and thinks about his significance today.
http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/rabbie-rabbie-burning-bright Click
here to view the text and read a commentary on the poem.
Fireworks Aff the Castle by Matthew Fitt. In this poem, the Dundonian writer explores
sounds and feelings in Scots.
http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/fireworks-aff-castle Click here to
read the poem and find out more about the writer.
Wullie Waggletail by William Soutar. The poet, born in Perth, addresses the little bird in
this poem. http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/wullie-waggletail Click
here to view the poem.
Beaver by Tom Hubbard. The Fife poet examines this once-native and now re-introduced
creature in this poem. http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poetry/poems/beaver Click
here to read the poem
TEXT: Prose
Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Matthew Fitt. This re-telling of the old favourite fairy
tale is given in East Central North Scots as part of the Whar’s Wattie resource for schools.
https://glowscotland.sharepoint.com/sites/staff/scotsblether/Resources%20documents/W
haur's%20Wattie/Whar's%20Wattie.pdf Click here to read the story.
Jordan’s New Jaiket by Matthew Fitt. This children’s book written especially for parents to
share with their children, is available to read on line.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/JordansNewJaiket_tcm4-729568.pdf Click
here to enjoy the book.