Arts, culture and heritage: Scotland's Makar - national poet for Scotland

Expert panel

Collectively the Expert Panel bring a wide range of skills in poetry, including in the use of the Gaelic and Scots languages, and in the way it is communicated to audiences.

Panel members:

• Anna Feintuck, Team Leader, Access, Arts and Participation Team, Culture and Historic Environment Division, Scottish Government, (Chair)
• Henry Bell, Editor, Gutter
• Dr David Goldie, President, Association for Scottish Literature
• Peggy Hughes, Director, National Centre for Writing, Norwich
• Marc Lambert, Chief Executive, Scottish Book Trust
• Duncan Lockerbie, Director, Tapsalteerie/Stewed Rhubarb Press
• Marjorie Lotfi, Director, Open Book
• Jill Mackintosh, Head Librarian, Scottish Poetry Library
• Harriet Macmillan, Literature Officer, Creative Scotland
• Dr Robyn Marsack, Independent Adviser
• Niall O’Gallagher, Gaelic Poet and Broadcaster
• Amina Shah, National Librarian and Chief Executive, National Library of Scotland
• Ryan van Winkle, Director, Stanza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival

Mark Wringe, Senior Lecturer, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, University of the Highlands and Islands

Term of appointment

For this appointment the Makar was given the choice of serving a three, four or five year term. Peter Mackay has chosen to serve in this role for three years.

In 2021 Kathleen Jamie was appointed to serve for three rather than five years. Previously, Liz Lochhead and Jackie Kay served for three years and Edwin Morgan served for six years.

In 2021 a shorter term was introduced firstly because of the demands the role places on the Makar’s time and on their other work. A shorter term also helps greater diversity, variety and interest in the role in future.

The new approach in 2024 of asking the new Makar whether they would wish to serve for three, four or five years at the start of their term offers flexibility to suit the poet.