Aimee Chalmers - Scots Writer

Aimee Chalmers was born 02.03.1944. As a child Aimee Chalmers lived in Montrose on the East Coast and went to school aged 5, there she learnt to speak English. At home all the family spoke Scots (with a Montrose dialect).

School discouraged the Scots language as being 'incorrect' and children were disciplined for 'lapsing' . Many Scots words were also regarded as 'swear words'.

Since leaving school Aimee continued to speak English and later when she left Fife Council began writing stories of her Experiences. At first, she found writing in Scots difficult, a critical and emotional time 'reclaiming' her language. She fears the Scots language dying out due to lack of usage. Young people are not learning to speak Scots. Only a few of the older generation of Aimee's family still speak Scots.

The series contain Audio tapes with Aimee reading her stories and tales for children and other writings which she recites in Scots.

Transcripts of stories and press articles are contained in this Series.