Primary schools from across Belfast gathered in City Hall to celebrate Ulster-Scotch Leid Week 2025 with hands-on workshops in drumming, dancing, and poetry. Led by expert instructors and supported by the Ulster-Scots Agency, the event highlighted the cultural and linguistic heritage of Ulster-Scots and encouraged young people to connect with the tradition.

Primary Schools Mark Ulster-Scotch Leid Week 2025 with Music, Dance and Poetry at City Hall

Ulster-Scotch Leid Week 2025 brought colour, music and tradition to Belfast City Hall as primary school pupils gathered to celebrate the heritage of the Ulster-Scots language and culture. The Ulster-Scotch Leid Week focus keyphrase appears throughout this article for SEO optimisation.

The event, hosted by Belfast City Council and organised by the Ulster-Scots Agency, offered schoolchildren a unique opportunity to learn through interactive workshops. Ulster-Scots remains an important part of Belfast’s cultural identity, and this annual celebration aims to increase awareness and understanding of the language across all communities.

Hands-On Workshops in Drumming, Dancing and Poetry

Pupils enjoyed a series of workshops led by some of the most skilled practitioners in the Ulster-Scots community:

• Ulster-Scotch Poetry Workshop: Led by William Olphert, Director of Education and Language at the Ulster-Scots Agency, who guided pupils through a ‘wheen o wurds’ and the rhythm of traditional verse.
• Drumming Workshops: Delivered by seasoned music teacher Brendan Megoran, who brings over 40 years’ experience, alongside Drum Major Charlotte Ruddick, crowned World Champion at the 2024 World Pipe Band Championships.
• Highland Dance Demonstration: Instructor Demi Walker showed the pupils ‘how tae highland dance’, encouraging them to try classic toe-and-heel steps.

These creative sessions helped bring Ulster-Scots traditions to life, giving pupils a fun yet meaningful introduction to the language and its cultural expressions.

Belfast’s Commitment to Cultural Heritage

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly, attended the event and praised the initiative’s impact on young learners.

She said the week-long programme “puts the Ulster-Scots language and culture in the spotlight” and provides invaluable opportunities for children to explore Belfast’s rich Scottish heritage. Through the council’s Language Strategy, Belfast remains committed to supporting linguistic diversity, including the development and promotion of the Ulster-Scots language.

Supporting Ulster-Scots Across the Region

Ian Crozier, CEO of the Ulster-Scots Agency, highlighted the significance of hosting such an event in Belfast City Hall, given the prominent role Ulster-Scots communities played in shaping the city’s history.

He noted that Ulster-Scots Leid Week, held annually during the last week of November, offers people across Ulster the chance to explore how deeply the language is woven into everyday speech.

For more details on the week’s events, visit the Ulster-Scots Agency website