'The Smeddum Test' is an anthology of some of the finest contemporary poetry written in Scots in the past 10 years. The 101 poems have been chosen from outstanding entries to the James McCash Scots Poetry Competition, an annual event in the nation's literary calendar. The title (taken from one of the poems) employs that good Scots word smeddum, meaning strength of character, spirit, energy, vigorous common sense, and resourcefulness. Not only do the poems reflect these stalwart characteristics but the anthology itself comes at an auspicious time, as Scotland re-examines its relationship with the other constituent parts of the United Kingdom. Whether Scotland decides to remain within the larger time-tested unit or opts for independence, there is certainly a renewed sense of national identity and confidence in our distinctive cultural and creative inheritance, including the Scots language itself. Lively, open-minded, unprejudiced - these are the best qualities of the poets represented in this volume.