Doric, a little-known form of North East Scots, is undergoing a pandemic-inspired renaissance. “Slaverin, slubberin, gibberin, gabberin, roon wi a wallop, a sklyter, a sweel,” recited the poet.

The north-east has a special dialect which can be difficult for outsiders to understand. Many are proud of the Doric spoken here, although, sadly, it is being used less and less in everyday speech.

LEADING Scottish writers and politicians have called for an Aberdeen literary festival to give as much prominence to the Scots language - especialy the Doric dialect - as it currently gives to Gaelic.