Charley Buchan
Scots/Doric Language Development Worker
Tell us about your role at the University.
Al be workin gye hard ti enhance the profile o Doric in baith the public domain an within the university itsel. Iss means al be workin alongside fowk in communities as weel as spikkin wi partners in the wider region aroon culture and education.
I will be working hard to enhance the profile of Doric in both the public domain and within the University itself. This will involve direct work in communities as well as engaging with partners in the wider region around culture and education.
How do you usually start your day?
Am a nicht hoolet, and it taks a fyle ti get masel riggit an ready for i day aheed, so a fine cuppie o tae an a wee clappie o the cat sets ma up jist fine.
I am a night owl, and it takes a while to get myself ready for the day ahead, so a nice cup of tea and a clap of the cat sets me up well.
What brought you to the University of Aberdeen?
I wis a secondary skweel teacher for ower ten eer in Aiberdeen an i Shire, an I ayeways loved ony chunce ti dee Doric wark wi the bairns. Ootside o wark I used ti rin a record label that involved pittin oot a puckle Doric releases as weel as pittin on shows an events wi a Doric theme, so iss feels like a natural step for masel.
I was a secondary school teacher for over 10 years in both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and I always loved any opportunity to do Doric work with the children. Outside of work I used to run a record label that involved putting out a few Doric releases as well as putting on Doric themed shows and events, so this feels like a natural step for myself.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
Haein a chunce ti dee meaninful wark that I enjoy. I couldnae ask for ony mair, an ma colleagues are richt fine fowk as weel. Ah studied for ma PGDE here, so am fair trickit ti be back.
Having the opportunity to do meaningful work that I enjoy. I could not ask for anymore, and my colleagues are very pleasant as well. I studied for my PGDE at the university, so I am pleased to be back.
What are your work priorities at the moment?
Av spent ma first puckle wiks, mappin oot the Doric landscape in the region ti gee masel a sense o fa’s a involved, in fit capacity and far the Elphinstone Institute fits intae athin. Gettin masel kint aroon i university is also gye important. I’d like ti set up a Doric spikkin group for staff within i university tee.
I have spent my first few weeks mapping out the Doric landscape in the region to give myself a sense of who are all involved and in what capacity, as well as where the Elphinstone Institute fits into it all. Getting myself known around the university is also a priority. I would like to set up a Doric speaking group for staff at the university as well.
How do you like to relax outside work?
Ah byde in rural Aiberdeenshire an enjoy explorin i region. We hae some o the maist bonny natural environment in i country an ass muckle heritage and history, I wouldnae want ti byde onywye else. Am a musician ootside o work, an ah love screivin, recordin an releasin music.
I live in rural Aberdeenshire and enjoy exploring the region. We have some of the most beautiful natural environment in the country and so much natural heritage and history, I would not want to live anywhere else. I am a musician outside of work and I love writing, recording, and releasing music.
8 October 2025