New writer 2024: Ross Crawford

Ross Crawford is a scriever fae East Ayrshire wha noo bides in Stirlin. He’s goat a PhD in Scottish Historie fae the University ae Glesga. Scrievin maistly in Scots, he’s upsteirit by the historie, nature and fowklore ae Scotland, inspeciallie the rural landscapes ae Ayrshire, the Trossachs and the West Hielans. He’s interestit in explorin baith the historic resonance and modren relevance ae the Scots leid.

His short stories huv bin furthset by Eemis Stane, Soor Ploom Press, Thi Wurd, Product, The Milk House and Lemon Peel Press amang ithers. His poetry hus featured in Lallans, Dreich, and Razur Cuts. He wis shortlistit fur the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award in 2022 and 2023.

Translation

Ross Crawford is a writer from East Ayrshire who now lives in Stirling. He has a PhD in Scottish History from the University of Glasgow. Writing mostly in Scots, he takes inspiration from the history, nature and folklore of Scotland, especially the rural landscapes of Ayrshire, the Trossachs and the West Highlands. He is interested in exploring both the historic resonance and modern relevance of the Scots language.

His short stories have been published by Eemis Stane, Soor Ploom Press, Thi Wurd, Product, The Milk House, and Lemon Peel Press among others. His poetry has featured in Lallans, Dreich and Razur Cut. He was shortlisted for the Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award in 2022 and 2023.

Writing sample

Declan Walsh pit his haun through a metal spike theday. It went richt intae his palm and oot the ither side. It wis absolutely boggin but kindae amazin at the same time kiz A’ve nivir seen sumhin sae violent afore. No in real life onywiy. A’ve glisked really gory stuff in the 18-ratit action movies ma da watches. Wan time last year A goat up tae pee aroon midnicht and saw flickrin telly-licht fae the livin room. A keeked through the gap in the door and saw Arnold Schwarzenegger grab a random bystauner oan an escalator and yaise him as a human shield. Puir guy goat totally shreddit by bullets. Hud nichtmares aboot it fur weeks. But it disnae boather me onymair. 

Whit happent tae Declan wis almaist as gory as yon Arnie filum except it wis real.

Ross says:

'Sae hertgled tae receive this award, it’s an honour and privilege. Jist aboot faintit when A heard the news! A’m awfa gratefou tae the Scottish Book Trust fur aw thur support and cannae wait fur a guid year ae scrievin aheid!'

Translation

'So delighted to receive this award, it’s an honour and privilege. Just about fainted when I heard the news! I’m really grateful to the Scottish Book Trust for all their support and can’t wait for a good year of writing ahead!'