The first round of Braw Clan’s flagship community programme, Soup And A Story, funded by Clyde Wind Farm and SSE Renewables, drew to a close in late May.

Over three monthly sessions, Robin Laing, James Mackenzie and Michael Mackenzie read from Robert McLellan’s Linmill Stories to sold-out audiences. The homemade soup and cakes also won rave reviews, with one returning audience member remarking:

“The food, company and story were all so good.”

Special guest Joyce Falconer made a surprise appearance at the final session at the Gillespie Centre in Biggar, reading a piece by Soup And A Story regular Bill Buchan. After attending a performance in Roberton, Bill felt moved to write a piece in Doric about his childhood among the fishing communities of Peterhead.

Actor Michael Mackenzie welcomes this creative response:

“The Linmill Stories are written in a very specific Lanarkshire Scots, which is quite distinct from Doric. I’m delighted Joyce came along to read Bill’s recollection. The richness and diversity of language we have in Scotland is clear.

I find the Linmill Scots flows so beautifully, and once you get your tongue around it it’s a pure joy to speak.

It’s so expressive and brings the scene to life.

Watching the audience is fascinating because you can tell they’re concentrating hard at first, but then you see their faces relax as they let the language come to them.

The story I read, of a grandfather and a wee boy, has particular resonance for me because I have a young grandson and can just imagine he and I doing the same things.”

The next round of Soup And A Story, funded by Awards For All Scotland, comes to lunch clubs in Braehead and Carnwath from August.