The Makar or National Poet for Scotland is the national poet laureate of Scotland. The current Makar is Kathleen Jamie, who was appointed in August 2021.^[1] Holders of the post are appointed by the Scottish Government and supported by the Scottish Poetry Library.

Role

The Makar's responsibilities include:

• taking a leadership role in promoting poetry nationally
• producing poems relating to significant national events
• encouraging the reading and writing of poetry, particularly by young people
• reading their poems publicly, at public events, and commenting publicly on poetry, the arts and any and all related matters in Scotland and internationally
• preparing a report on their experience in the role each year

The stipend for the post is £15,000 per year for 3 years, to recompense the Makar for their time in writing or attending events in this role. The post is appointed by the Scottish Government in an unregulated appointment.^[2] The Scottish Poetry Library provides support to the post including media handling, festival booking and web presence.

Appointment process

With the appointment of Kathleen Jamie in 2021, the Scottish Government convened an expert panel representing Scotland's literary sector to consider nominations for the next Makar and agree upon a recommendation to put to the First Minister.^[3] The panel members were:

• David Seers, Head of Sponsorship and Funding Team, Culture and Historic Environment Division, Scottish Government, (Chair)
• Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing, Creative Scotland
• Jackie Cromarty, Associate Director of External Relations, National Library of Scotland
• Dr David Goldie, President, Association for Scottish Literary Studies
• Peggy Hughes, Chair, Literature Alliance Scotland
• Eleanor Livingstone, Former Festival Director, Stanza Poetry Festival
• Marjorie Lotfi, Poet, Director of Open Book and Chair of Board of Trustees, Wigtown Book Festival
• Dr Robyn Marsack, former Director of the Scottish Poetry Library
• Dr Peter Mackay, Lecturer in English, University of St Andrews and poet
• Michael Pedersen, Poet and Poetry Programmer, Neu!Reekie!

The term of the Makar is now 3 years, rather than the 5 years which it had previously been.^[4]

Makars

• Edwin Morgan (2004-2010)
• Liz Lochhead (2011-2016)
• Jackie Kay (2016-2021)
• Kathleen Jamie (2021–present)