October 04, 2002
The Evening Times
You can be the voice of Scotland;
Sum up what it means to be Scottish in our contest
By Brian Beacom

WHAT does being Scottish really mean? Well, now it's your chance to tell us.

This week the Evening Times is offering readers the chance to write in with their favourite phrase or a line from a song that sums up the essence of Scottishness.

If your entry to our terrific competition is chosen, you could become part of history. As our new Parliament building is being constructed, the huge hoardings surrounding the Edinburgh site will become virtual walls.

These 'walls' will become a vast parchment on which your words, which best sum up our land, can be displayed.

Just tell us your favourite quote or saying from whichever source you choose.

It should be personal, and it can be either borrowed or originated. However, if borrowed, you should state the source.

If your quote is chosen to appear on the 'walls' you could be one of 10 lucky winners invited to Edinburgh in December to visit the Parliament building site and see the finished article.

The Voice of Scotland campaign is being fronted by film star Dougray Scott.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have been asked to be patron of Voices of Scotland."

"As a Scot I have always felt our own indigenous culture is innately international and has for hundreds of years touched every corner of the world.

"This project will help the Scottish people of all ages rediscover their heritage."

The Mission Impossible II star revealed his own favourite phrase to launch the campaign; the line from the Proclaimers song, 'When you go will you send back, a letter from America?'

Consider some of the more poignant references to Scotland publicised over the years.

"Caledonians the last of men on Earth, the last of the free." (Tacitus, AD 79 -83); "They may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom." (Braveheart); "Fandabidoze." (The Krankies); "Every line of strength in American history is a line coloured with Scottish blood." (Woodrow Wilson); "Scots wha'hae wi' Wallace bled, Scots wham Bruce has often led, welcome to your gory bed, Or to Victorie!" (Robert Burns)

On designing the new home of Scottish government, architect Enric Miralles worked hard to capture the essence of the Scottish psyche.

Miralles reckoned that the Parliament building was for everyone, and as such the humour, the expression and the feelings of Glasgow should be reflected in its construction.

That's why your favourite line can come from a rock song or even a famous football score.

It can come from a poem or even a classic put-down.

Your words needn't be confined to English. What you feel about Scotland is equally important whether you speak Urdu, Gaelic, Chinese or Albanian.

It's thought that the Voices of Scotland campaign will be commemorated in a special book to be published once the Parliament building is finished.

©2002 Evening Times