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Our Mission

We are the collective voice of Scotland’s professional playwrights, ensuring their voices are heard, their rights protected, and their stories shared as a vital part of the nation’s cultural life.

Our Vision

We envision a Scotland in which the arts are valued and playwrights are empowered and heard. A place where theatre thrives as a vital reflection of our diverse communities and stories.

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Our Values

Advocacy and Fairness
We stand up for the collective and creative rights of playwrights, working to ensure fair contracts, pay, and professional recognition.

Community and Collaboration
We build a strong, supportive network for playwrights, strengthen connections between artists, audiences, and creative counterparts.

Fostering Co-operation
We actively foster community and solidarity between playwrights in Scotland, and their counterparts across the UK and internationally.

Cultural Stewardship
We honour Scotland’s storytelling heritage, championing new stories and perspectives that reflect the evolving identity of our nation.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We advocate for policies and practices, promoting a diverse, accessible, inclusive, and sustainable ecology for dramatic writing in Scotland.

The Scottish Society of Playwrights Council

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The SSP Council meets four times a year to discuss current actions and long term strategy to support new writing in Scotland. The Council responds to issues raised in the agenda or other issues it has been contacted about. It plans events to celebrate and discuss the legacy of new work in Scotland.

Any member who would like information on becoming a Council member or copies of minuted meetings please contact us.

SSP Council Members

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Kris Haddow

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Alan McKendrick

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Linda Duncan McLaughlin

Ben Ramsay

Ben Ramsay

Zoë Bullock

Zoë Bullock

Isla Cowan

Isla Cowan

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Grace Edwards

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Jack MacGregor

Katherine Mendelsohn

Katherine Mendelsohn

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jd stewart

Honorary President

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Photograph by Norman McBeath

Liz Lochead

Honorary President

Liz Lochhead is a playwright, poet, performer and broadcaster. Her original stage plays include Thon Man Molière, Mary Queen of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off, and Perfect Days.

Liz served on the SSP Council, and became our Honorary President in 2019.

The position is a lifetime appointment, and has previously been held by only three other playwrights – Robert McLellan, Ena Lamont Stewart and Hector MacMillan.

More About the SSP

Website

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This website was redeveloped by Hayley Sinclair in 2026.
Hayley is a playwright, communications specialist and visual designer.

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The redevelopment of this site was funded by Creative Scotland through National Lottery Funding as part of our SSP@50 Project.