Voices of the Glens

As part of the Galloway Glens project John Burns has interviewed people of different ages, backgrounds and interests up and down the Ken/Dee valley, in an attempt to understand how the local language is changing and tracking some of the changes in the way we live in the Glens area. With a particular focus on Lowland Scots, John produced a popular questionnaire, seeking feedback on the changing use and awareness of vocabulary items from ‘blether’ to ‘wabbit’.

The words we use can open up some of our most profound emotional connections to our shared past and to the world we live in now. Hopefully through this project people of the Galloway Glens will feel that their own voices are being heard and their own language is being acknowledged as an important part of their lives.

This event will try to draw together the findings of John’s work, giving an overview of what has been done, the findings that immediately present themselves and some that might require a bit more thought. The event will include audio recordings to illustrate findings or points of interest.

Join us as we look backwards, at the now, and the possible future language of the people of Galloway.

The event is being delivered in ‘hybrid’ format – with tickets either available to join the event in person, in Kirkcudbright Parish Church Hall or online via zoom.

The ‘Voices of the Glens’ project has been supported by the Galloway Glens Scheme – itself an initiative of the Council’s Environment Team and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund