The late Hamish Henderson will be honoured in the Scottish Parliament next week with a debate and a reception recognising him as one of the “most brilliant Scots of his age”.
Joan McAlpine MSP, convenor of the parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee, secured the debate to mark the centenary of his birth – he died in 2002 – after gaining cross-party support from MSPs.
Mr Henderson’s widow, Katzel, and their daughters, Janet and Tina will attend at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, September 4.
He has been acclaimed for his achievements as a poet, academic, linguist, songwriter and ethnologist whose work was central to the folk revival of the 1950s.
He made more than 9,000 recordings of working people from all over Scotland, preserving an oral tradition of stories and songs dating back hundreds of years.
The motion also remembers his distinguished war service in North Africa and Italy, his role helping Jewish people escape Nazi Germany and his political activism, including with the peace movement, Anti-Apartheid and the campaign for Scottish Home Rule.
A parliamentary reception following the debate will celebrate Dr Henderson’s legacy in words and music and Deputy First Minister John Swinney will speak.
Performers include Dr Henderson’s friends, Sheena Wellington who sang at the opening of the Scottish parliament and Margaret Bennett, his former colleague at The School of Scottish Studies.
Ms McAlpine said: “Hamish Henderson was a cultural colossus.
“He was an internationalist who was passionate about Scotland, her working people and their living traditions.
“He was a catalyst for the folk revival, which helped grow a self confidence that underpinned Scotland’s devolution journey in the 20th century.
“It is therefore fitting that in his centenary year, Dr Henderson’s many achievements will be celebrated in the parliament he helped to create.”