Rubric
The Rubric Foundation
A charity dedicated to celebrating and promoting the Scots language.
Through their grant program they have funded a range of cultural and artistic projects, from visual art and music to poetry and performance.
By investing in artists, musicians, singers and poets, they aim to enrich Scotland's creative landscape and ensure the Scots language continues to thrive for future generations.
Completed projects
The Scots Sang an Leid Projeck was a seven-week educational initiative delivered at Newton Primary School in Dunblane, designed to deepen pupils’ understanding of Scots language and culture through traditional song. Working with six classes—from Primary 1, 4 and 6—the project used a mix of oral and workbook-based learning to introduce students to traditional Scots songs rooted in local history.
Songs such as Heather Jock and Will Ye Gang Tae Sheriffmuir were selected for their strong historical ties to the Dunblane area, sparking interest and engagement among the pupils. Younger students were taught simpler, repetitive nursery-style songs in Scots, while older pupils explored more complex songs, ballads and vocabulary. All songs were taught in a call-and-response format to ensure accessibility for children of all learning abilities.
The project culminated in a concert featuring professional traditional musicians—including Adam Brown (Rura, Ímar)—who performed and collaborated with the students. An accompanying illustration competition allowed children to engage with the songs creatively, further deepening their connection to the material.
Outcomes were overwhelmingly positive. Students demonstrated improved Scots vocabulary, greater confidence in singing and public performance, and increased interest in local history. Teachers noted especially strong participation from pupils with additional support needs. Constructive feedback will inform future iterations, including refining song selections and allowing more rehearsal time. Completed under budget, the project proved to be a highly successful model for integrating music, language, and heritage learning—one that fostered pride in local identity and opened the door for future Scots language education.