Scotland has a poet laureate of its own

GLASGOW, Scotland, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Scotland broke with 336 years of tradition Monday and named its first ever poet laureate, the Times reported in its Tuesday edition.

Edwin Morgan, 84, was dubbed in Glasgow as "The Scots Makar," an unpaid three-year position.

Since Charles II appointed John Dryden as the first United Kingdom Poet Laureate in 1668, poets appointed by the monarch have all been English, the newspaper said.

Morgan told the Times he looked forward to being a "rival" to Andrew Motion, his English counterpart.

Morgan also said he was hopeful his appointment would prompt the Queen and Prime Minister to look elsewhere around the U.K. when they chose a national poet.

Morgan's title, "The Scots Makar," is a 15th-century Scottish term for "a maker, especially literary, a poet."

Wales has announced plans to follow Scotland's lead and appoint its first-ever poet laureate.