Modern Makars

Script for Liz Lochhead's Scots translation of Tartuffe commissioned by the Scottish Arts Council. STA SAC 137

Edwin Morgan (1920-2010) studied and taught at the University of Glasgow. A prolific writer and translator who employed many ‘voices’, he was the city of Glasgow’s Poet Laureate 1999-2005 and the Makar (national poet for Scotland) from 2004. Displayed here is one of his many scrapbooks along with material relating to Beasts of Scotland, his 1996 collaboration with jazz musician Tommy Smith.

Listen to some of Morgan's poems.

A scrapbook compiled by Edwin Morgan during the years 1931-1953. MS Morgan 917/1

The poet and playwright Liz Lochhead (b 1947) succeeded Morgan as Makar.  Among her many works are a number of translations into Scots, including Tartuffe by the French writer Molière (1622-1673). Commissioned by the Scottish Arts Council, it was first performed at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh in 1986. Subsequent productions include Dundee Repertory Theatre (1991) and Glasgow’s Oran Mor (2010).




More images from these items

  • Material related to Morgan and Smith's 'Beasts of Scotland' project, 1996. Acc 4848 9/2
  • Programme for Liz Lochhead's Scots translation of Tartuffe. Dundee Repertory Theatre, 1991. STA PYC 2/9