October 22, 2002
The Evening Times
Five more readers join Voices tribute;
New Evening Times entries added at Scottish Parliament site
by Scott Russell

EVENING Times readers are still making their voices heard.

We were swamped with entries when we asked for phrases to sum up the definition of Scotland.

Last week we announced the 10 winners of the Voices of Scotland campaign whose words will adorn the hoardings erected around the construction site of the new Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. But the quality of your entries was so high that another five have now been chosen by a special judging panel.

The Evening Times will now have two full boards of readers' quotes at the Edinburgh construction site.

They will be transformed into a massive scroll of words, dubbed Voices of Scotland, summing up everything that makes Scotland special.

Our 15 winners will also be invited to the capital in December to visit the Parliament building site and see the finished hoardings covered in quotations.

Like the original 10, the extra five phrases are heartfelt and stirring. All are self-penned.

Scots film star Dougray Scott, who has been helping promote the Voices of Scotland campaign across the country, said today: "I'm delighted that the judges have seen fit to add another five entries from among the huge number sent in by Evening Times readers.

"The fact that 15 people are having their submissions honoured in this way speaks volumes about the very high quality of the entries overall.

"I'm sure all of the 15 readers will be thrilled and delighted to see their words in such a high profile public display."

"Let's salute our Scottish Parliament. We fought so long to have and longer to remain. God grant strength and wisdom to those who represent us. To make us a nation again."

MARY MULLEN, Lanarkshire

"Mix midge and mouse

And monster and men

With lasses and poets

And heroes and then,

Add pride and skill

And a drop of rain

That's Scotland all right,

From mountain to glen."

THOMAS BELL, Bearsden

"Scotland in our hearts, in our blood, in our minds. Scotland's greatest gift to the world ourselves. Stand Tall, Stand Proud. Open your arms to the world."

DAVID TORRANCE, Renfrew

Complete A to Z of Scotland:

Arts, Bagpipes, Castles, Donald Dewar, Edinburgh, Fishing, Golf, Haggis, Islands, Jacobites, Kilts, Lochs, Mountains, Nessie,

Old Firm, Passionate, Queen Mary, Robert Burns, Shopping, Tartan Army, Usquebae, Venison, William Wallace, Xciting, You, Zealous.

ANGELINA BROLLY, Clarkston

"The destiny of our nation lies in the soul of its people."

WILLIAM BURNETT, Moodiesburn

©2002 Evening Times