Council publishes migrant authors’ book

As part of the national celebrations for Adult Learners’ Week a book of migrant learners’ writing will be launched this week (12noon, Tuesday 23rd May) at Tulloch Castle in Dingwall.

The book, called inSco, is short for "in Scotland" and the authors have all attended English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes run by The Highland Council’s Adult Basic Education Service.

The fourteen writers came to Scotland from many different countries, including Poland, Germany, Taiwan, Thailand, India, Estonia, Sri Lanka, Lithuania, and the Ukraine, and have written about their lives since moving to the Highlands. They also took the photographs which illustrate the book.

The publication of the book was funded though a grant from Communities Scotland Learning Connections. It was one of a number of grants which were given to different organisations who work with adult literacies learners throughout Scotland to encourage learners to write.

Tulloch Castle was chosen as the site for the launch because one of the pieces of writing in the book is about the castle’s ghost. Other topics in the book include Highland weddings, wildlife, food, and the Scottish weather.

Julie Simmons, Highland Council’s Adult Literacies Strategy Officer said: "All the authors are justifiably proud of their achievement and are looking forward to sharing their book with family and friends both here and overseas."

Copies of the book will be available to borrow from Highland libraries.