Borough’s Ulster Scotch links to be explored

Now in its second year, Ulster Scotch Leid Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the language and how it is used in every day speech.

The term Ulster-Scots describes the people who migrated from the Lowlands of Scotland to Ulster and to the Ulster-Scots communities that they established right across the nine counties of Ulster.

The culture also travelled across the world with people who set out for new shores in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

There are a number of Covid-19 compliant walking tours available with Donal Kelly – ‘A Danner with Donal’ starting from Hazelbank Newtownabbey and Antrim Castle Gardens.

These tours are based on the many Ulster Scots connections in the borough and will include the 1798 Battle of Antrim, notable Ulster Scots born in Antrim including Arthur Alexander Irvine and American Civil War Veteran Captain James Fleming and the historic White House in Newtownabbey.

Tours must be booked in advance via antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/ulsterscotsThe Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery said: “I am delighted that we can help raise awareness of the Ulster Scots language and culture.

“The hamely tongue has been around for nearly 400 years, but many people are unaware of its impact on our modern-day language.

“Our borough’s history has been shaped by Ulster Scots and it is important that we highlight these connections and educate our young people.”

For details about the online programme, check out the council’s Facebook page.

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