Ceum air Cheum

by Christopher Whyte

Published by Acair

Judges' Comments:

'Step by Step reflects on the author’s creative life and his adoption of Gaelic in the search for a voice and a homeland.  These meditations on identity encourage and craft verses. A challenging uncompromising search for integrity in deeply considered and at times searingly personal poems.'

Acair:

'Christopher's writing is by turn challenging and reassuring and is not constrained by language or perceptions of cultural correctness. His is a voice that speaks directly to, and for, a 21st century audience and he does this in Gaelic alongside many other languages.'

Whyte:

'This collection shows the unashamedly international face of Gaelic poetry open to the most controversial topics yet firmly rooted in Scottish experience and Scottish contradictions, with fine and limpid English translations by Niall O’Gallagher. Seeing it on the Saltire Society shortlist is an honour for me, as well as being a huge encouragement.'