
About
The Scottish Society of Playwrights
Founded in 1973, the Scottish Society of Playwrights (SSP) is a membership organisation representing the interests of professional playwrights. We advocate for the strategic support and development of new work in Scotland.

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.

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

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

Kris Haddow
Chair

Alan McKendrick
Treasurer

Linda Duncan McLaughlin
Secretary

Ben Ramsay
Membership Secretary

Zoë Bullock
Social Media Officer

Isla Cowan
Council Member

Grace Edwards
Council Member

Jack MacGregor
Council Member

Katherine Mendelsohn
Council Member

jd stewart
Council Member
Honorary President

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
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Our Network
Read More: Our NetworkLinks to our partners, affiliates and fellow creative unions.
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Our Constitution
Read More: Our ConstitutionOur Constitution governs how the SSP is organised.
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Our History
Read More: Our HistoryThe collective voice of Scotland’s playwrights since 1973.
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Website

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

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