Graeme Armstrong and Len Pennie: 21st Century Scots

For this year’s closing event, Tidelines brings together two stars of Scotland’s new generation of writers. Graeme Armstrong’s debut novel The Young Team is written in West Central Scots language. It explores his teenage experiences of being in a gang, and struggles with alcohol abuse, drug addiction and violence.

Len Pennie is a Scottish poet and mental health advocate. She became known on social media in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland for her “Scots word of the day” and poem (Scots: poyum) videos. Her debut collection Poyums became an instant bestseller, winning celebrity fans from Neil Gaiman to Nigella Lawson.

Both hailing from Airdrie, Graeme Armstrong and Len Pennie have reinvigorated the Scots language for the 21st century. This conversation will shine a fascinating spotlight on what it means to grow up in Scotland today.

Warning: this event may include strong language and references to violence, coercion, substance misuse & suicide.