New city poet after 500-year wait

Provost Fergus Wood and new makar Magi Gibson

Poet and performer Magi Gibson has been named as Stirling's first makar for nearly 500 years.

The writer, who is originally from Kilsyth and trained as a school teacher, has taught creative writing in Stirling for more than 20 years.

The area's last official poet was William Dunbar, who held the post in the 16th Century.

Ms Gibson is charged with writing verse about Stirling during her three-year tenure in the post.

Stirling Council said she was chosen by a nominations panel made up of local writers and literary groups.

The local authority said it had received applications from as far afield as India and Nova Scotia in Canada.

A community that makes such an appointment is showing an awareness of the importance of the spiritual and cultural side of life Magi Gibson Stirling makar

Ms Gibson said reprising the role of makar would put the poet back into the centre of the community.

She said: "As a ceremonial position it reconnects the new city of Stirling with its historic past when the royal court had its own makar.

"A community that makes such an appointment is showing an awareness of the importance of the spiritual and cultural side of life."

Ms Gibson said she aimed to reignite interest in poetry.

She added: "Look at how many people celebrate Burns Day. Unfortunately too often they've been turned off poetry at school by being required to connect with it not on a spiritual level, but in an analytical way.

"I've long been an advocate of people reclaiming poetry for themselves."

Dunbar, who was based at Stirling Castle and paid out of the monarch's pocket, was famously said to be responsible for the first printed use of the f-word, in his poem "Brash of Wowing" printed in 1508.

Stirling Provost Fergus Wood said: "This is a magnificent opportunity for Stirling to promote its tremendous literary heritage in the 21st Century.

"As well as promoting poetry generally throughout the area, the makar will compose one poem annually about the area and select one poem a month for publication."

Glasgow and Edinburgh each have their own makars, while former first minister Jack McConnell appointed Edwin Morgan as Scotland's makar, or national poet laureate, in 2004.