Scots Song in Schools

I come from the North East of Scotland, where unaccompanied singing was the norm for hundreds of years and songs were passed from voice to voice across generations.

I run the Family Singing Workshop at the Stonehaven Folk Festival and have taught Scots song in city and shire schools with SC&T Youth, helping young people experience traditional music as something living and relevant.

I have also worked with pupils to create new songs about local historical characters and towns, connecting community heritage directly to creative expression.

Children are fascinated not only by learning the songs themselves, but by discovering what they mean. We explore the stories behind the lyrics, gaining insight into past and present industries, ways of working, and everyday life. Understanding the context deepens comprehension and makes the songs far more memorable. Pupils are encouraged to learn by heart through repetition and understanding — often creating our own hand signals to help remember what comes next. The result is confident, expressive singing rooted in tradition, teamwork and a genuine sense of achievement.