Doric, a little-known form of North East Scots, is undergoing a pandemic-inspired renaissance. “Slaverin, slubberin, gibberin, gabberin, roon wi a wallop, a sklyter, a sweel,” recited the poet.

The north-east has a special dialect which can be difficult for outsiders to understand. Many are proud of the Doric spoken here, although, sadly, it is being used less and less in everyday speech.

In the aftermath of her passing, it was reported that Queen Elizabeth could speak the local dialect of Balmoral and the region around it. This dialect of the north-east of Scotland – called the Doric ...