SIR WALTER SCOTT CELEBRATED IN BRAILLE
Scottish Braille Press News Release
Two great anniversaries are being marked in Edinburgh today (14 October) with the launch of a new book amidst a sea of words in Waverley Railway Station.
The Great Scott! campaign, developed by Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, aims not only to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Waverley by Sir Walter Scott, but also marks the 10th anniversary of Edinburgh’s designation as the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
Quotes from Sir Walter’s books and his thoughts will be written across the floors, windows and walkways of Waverley railway station and collected in a free book called Great Scott!: Celebrating Sir Walter Scott.
As part of the campaign to bring alive the man and his words, 25,000 copies of ‘Great Scott!’ will be given away in the station and, thanks to the Scottish Braille Press, the book will also be available in Braille and audio formats.
Telling the story of Scott’s incredible life, the pocket-book includes a timeline, quotes and musings, and gives tips on things to see, read and do relating to Scott. It is available in Waverley Station in October, online in audio, and as an e-book at www.cityofliterature.com/waverley.
John Donaldson, Manager at the Scottish Braille Press, said: “The 6-dot Braille system was invented in 1824, just 10 years after Scott’s Waverley was published. It is a fitting part of its 200th anniversary that we can make ‘Great Scott!’ accessible to blind and partially sighted people.
“The Scottish Braille Press transcribes documents in Braille, large print and audio for businesses, the public sector, charities and individuals and we are delighted to have worked with City of Literature and Lothiansound to produce Great Scott! in Braille and audio formats.”
Ali Bowden, Director of the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, said: “As a City of Literature we want to see books, words and ideas celebrated as widely as possible. Most people know about Scott but they might not know his books and we hope this campaign helps people discover the man and his words.”
Janelle Scotland from Lothiansound said: “Lothiansound Talking Newspaper has been pleased to work with the Scottish Braille Press and Edinburgh City of Literature in the production of this informative and entertaining book.”
For more information please contact:
Frances Chisholm, Fundraising & Marketing Assistant, Royal Blind
Tel: 0131 229 1456 Email: frances.chisholm@royalblind.org
Notes to editors:
The Scottish Braille Press is part of Royal Blind, a registered charity that runs services for blind and partially sighted people. Our vision at Royal Blind is to make a significant contribution to building a community in which blind and partially sighted people, including those who also have other disabilities, are fully included and lead fulfilling lives. www.royalblind.org
The Scottish Braille Press transcribes documents into Braille, Large Print and Audio for a range of clients, including businesses, the public sector, charities and individuals. http://www.royalblind.org/accessible-media
Lothiansound is a weekly audio recording of news and events read mainly from the Edinburgh Evening News. A Scottish charity, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Lothiansound is run entirely by Volunteers and supplied free of charge to over 550 listeners who are registered blind or partially sighted. http://www.lothiansound.org.uk/
City of Literature. In 2004 Edinburgh was designated the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, a permanent title celebrating Edinburgh's status as a literary capital and pioneer in the UNESCO creative cities network, which now has over forty member cities. http://www.cityofliterature.com/
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