The first beneficiary of the stipend will be Edwin Morgan, who was awarded the position of Scots Makar by First Minister Jack McConnell earlier this year and the new Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson, has welcomed the Scottish Arts Council’s generous offer to fund the Scots Makar’s post.  Professor Morgan will hold the post as Scotland’s Poet for Scotland for three years. 

Mrs Ferguson said: ‘Creating the position of Scots Makar is another example of the importance this Executive places on culture at the heart of Scottish identity, and there could be no finer person to hold this office than Edwin Morgan. His work has been a delight and an inspiration to so many Scots.

‘It is fitting he should receive this award on National Poetry Day and I look forward this weekend to hearing his new work specially written for the official opening of the new Scottish Parliament.’

Dr Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature, Scottish Arts Council was delighted to announce the award and added: ‘Edwin Morgan has made, and continues to make, an incalculable contribution to Scottish and world literature as a poet, dramatist, translator, and critic of formidable originality and invention.  It is absolutely right that Eddie should be the inaugural holder for such a high-profile and prestigious national role, and I am pleased that the Scottish Arts Council has been able to bestow this sum, the better to support such an important post for Scotland.’

Edwin Morgan, speaking from his new home in Glasgow added: ‘I’d like to thank the Scottish Arts Council for its recognition and support of a post that I am honoured to hold.’

A former professor of English Literature at the University of Glasgow, Edwin Morgan has published a prodigious number of collections of poetry, translations, essays and criticism, and is also an acclaimed dramatist.  He is held in particular affection in classrooms throughout Scotland, particularly for whimsical and humorous explorations of technology and sci-fi such as ‘The Computer’s First Christmas Card’ and ‘The First Men on Mercury’, as well as the poignantly compassionate social commentary of ‘In the Snack Bar’ and ‘Trio’.  More recently, he has been commissioned to compose a poem for the opening of the new Scottish Parliament.