Makar (National Poet for Scotland)

Makar
National Poet for Scotland
since 2 December 2024
Reports toScottish Government
Scottish Parliament
NominatorScottish Government
AppointerFirst Minister
Term length3 years, non–renewable
FormationFebruary 2004
First holderEdwin Morgan

The Makar is the national poet of Scotland which was established in February 2004 by the Scottish Executive and supported by Creative Scotland. The incumbent Makar serves a maximum term of three years which is non–renewable, and has overall responsibility for the promotion of literacy, poetry and writing across the country, as well as producing annual reports for both the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament.

The current Makar is Pàdraig MacAoidh, who was appointed in December 2024 by first minister John Swinney. Holders of the post are appointed by the Scottish Government and supported by the Scottish Poetry Library, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024.