BE THE VOICE OF SCOTLAND

Bob Shields

It's your chance to make a bit of Scottish history and to leave your mark on our heritage for generations.

Imagine, in 1000 years' time, people visiting the Scottish Parliament and seeing your name carved on a piece of stone.

That's right - up there beside Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Sir Alexander Fleming could be… Wullie Wilson or Betty McGeachie.

All you have to do is say something.

And if what you say is judged to best sum up our wonderful country - your quote could be carved in stone for all eternity.

The Voices of Scotland campaign was launched in Edinburgh yesterday and organisers will ask the whole country for a quote which best sums up what Scotland means to them.

The answers will surely be as rich, varied - and downright daft - as the Scottish people themselves.

Aberdonians are obviously going to vote for their favourite greeting, "Fit like?"

Or maybe, "See a bosie, quine!" which I think means you'd like to get closer to a young lady. From the world of sport, there will be no shortage of entries.

Rangers fans would suggest "We arra peepil!" is the perfect summing up of Scotland.

Those on the other side of the football fence could argue that "For it's a grand old team" has more of a ring to it.

And Kenny Dalglish might want to chip in with his "Mibbees aye, mibbees no" quote - which he probably never said in the first place.

On the social scene, Scotland is full of phrases that capture our individuality.

"A hauf and a hauf" would ideally describe the nation's penchant for a convivial drink.

The eating equivalent would surely involve "jeelie pieces" being thrown from a 20-storey flat.

Quite a few saying or quotes have passed in to popular culture through song.

"You cannae shove yer granny aff a bus," is the perfect example.

Punchlines or phrases from comedians have also become cultural icons.

"Gonnae no dae that" from Chewin' The Fat is still with us.

Perhaps there's still a place for Elaine C Smith's "Pure, dead brilliant," delivered by Mary Doll in Rab C Nesbitt. Or Rab C's "I'll tell you this…" line.

The late Jimmy Logan made "sausages is the boys" a catchphrase in a television advert. And another advertisement gave us: "Pea and ham …from a chicken?"

Logan's friend Rikki Fulton could also figure highly.

"Hello rerr, China," would be one of the best remembered from his Francie and Jose days with Jack Milroy.

Stanley Baxter brought language to new heights with his "Parliamo Glasgow" humour.

"A punna burra furra murra" is probably the most fondly remembered.

And Baxter sent out a generation of children who delighted in telling each other to "Shut yer geggie."

Billy Connolly is probably responsible for bringing phrases like "Gaun yersel" into Scottish awareness, along with other like"Geezabreck."

Sometimes, you have to admit the professional quotes makers take a bit of beating.

Rabbie Burn's "That man to man the world o'er shall brithers be for a'that" is one of the enduring classics.

But if you've got a better phrase that sums up your Scotland - then history is waiting.