Liz Lochhead, Scotland’s former makar – national poet – will be sharing her favourite poems, old and new, with young poetry fans at StAnza, Scotland’s international poetry festival at St Andrews, next month.

The festival is embracing Scotland’s Year of Young People with a dedicated children’s programme for this year’s festival. As well as Liz Lochhead’s family-friendly show, Bairnsangs, there will be events in the run-up to, and during the festival, which takes place over five days from 7-11 March.

The festival will recognise rising poetic talent from local schools with art work resulting from its work with children and young adults during the year. The festival director, Eleanor Livingstone, said: “This is an exciting year for young people in Scotland and we’re delighted to be part of this at StAnza with our programme of children’s events. At StAnza we pride ourselves in delivering a varied, dynamic programme which includes something for everyone, even the youngest poetry fans and we’re thrilled to welcome Scotland’s former makar Liz Lochhead to share her love of poetry with her fantastic show Bairnsangs.”StAnza also runs an annual children’s poetry competition open to children resident in Fife or who attend Fife schools.

Bairnsangs is on Sunday 11 March - the last day of the festival - at the Town Hall, from 12-1pm. More festival details

PHOTOGRAPH: GREG FREEMAN / WRITE OUT LOUD