NURTURING WRITERS & WRITING

"Moniack Mhor is a wonderfully inspiring and regenerative space." "Spending time at Moniack Mhor made such a shift in my writing and my confidence as a writer."
Read more about what we do

BURSARY SUPPORT

"Moniack Mhor supports writers from all backgrounds and from all walks of life. Our bursary programme provides access for those who may find fees a barrier to joining a residential or online course or retreat, or taking part in mentoring."
Find out about our Bursary Scheme

Young Writers

"To have someone take my work seriously and help me try and improve was a real confidence boost"
See Opportunities for Young Writers

RESIDENCIES & AWARDS

"The team at Moniack Mhor, with great care and thoughtfulness, have not only created a magical and functional space for the imagination, but also a refuge for genuine human connections.”
Find out about our Residency and Awards Programme

OUR BEGINNINGS

"Come on a journey to 1993: crofting tales linger but now the smell of paint is fresh in the air, the final pictures are being hung on stone walls and there is frantic unpacking of auction house crockery and cutlery. We welcome our first course, led by Liz Lochead, Roger McGough and the late Aonghas MacNeacail"
Read more about Moniack Mhor's story
Moniack Mhor is Scotland’s National Writing Centre. Based in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, we run courses in a range of genres tutored by some of the finest authors in the UK and beyond. With workshops and one to one tutorials, our courses provide an atmosphere to fully immerse yourself in your writing. The centre also offers writing retreats providing time and space, free from distractions, where you will find yourself part of a nurturing writing community. Other support offered by Moniack Mhor includes awards, bursaries, professional residencies to develop works in progress and a programme for young writers.

HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE

HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE
Taking place across spring 2025, The Highland Book Prize Longlist Series is a chance for readers to delve into the rich and diverse list of books celebrated by the prize. Enjoy readings and talks taking place online and with partners across the Highlands.

POETRY RESIDENTIAL

POETRY RESIDENTIAL
How can poetry be turned to protest, and how can words offer comfort to those who need it? This course led by Harry Josephine Giles and Hannah Lavery with guest reader Roger Robinson is for anyone who’s interested in writing that meets the challenges of our times, whether as part of activist movements, as a way to deal with personal struggles, or simply as an honest response to the world. Includes workshops, discussion time and tutorials.

EWA WINNER

EWA WINNER
Congratulations to Amy Luxton who was awarded this year's The Bridge Awards Emerging Writer Award! 🎉 We also want to congratulate the runner up for the prize, David Cochrane, as well as three additional writers for being Highly Commended: Emanuelle Degli Esposti, Catrin Kemp and Rachel Anderson. We're also delighted that this is the 10-year anniversary of the Emerging Writer Award!

BUILDING FICTIONAL WORLDS

BUILDING FICTIONAL WORLDS
Join award-winning novelist Liz Hyder online for a month to explore the joyful art of harnessing your imagination to build fictional worlds. Find out how to unlock your wild imagination and use it for your storytelling in this fun and engaging course with four intensive workshops. Whether you’re an out-and-out fantasy writer, looking to create a dystopian tale, or simply wanting to dip your toe into world-building, this course is for you!

SCOTS COORSE

SCOTS COORSE
This taucht retreat is for awbody wha’s ever wantit tae or wha’s a’ready warkin tae scrieve sangs, poems or stories in the Scots leid. Baird Hannah Rarity an makar Billy Letford will haud wan-tae-wan tutorials wi ye ower the week tae gie ye a haun creatin new wark in Scots. The lave o the time will be yours tae explore whit ye can dae wi the Scots leid, readin Scots buiks in Moniack Mhor’s leebraries, an communin wi ither coorse participants wha are scrievin in Scots an aw.

FICTION RESIDENTIAL

FICTION RESIDENTIAL
Michael Donkor and Ashley Hickson-Lovence invite you to join them for a glorious and generative week of serious play and playful seriousness on the page. New writers, and perhaps those who have taken some time away from their writing, may find this fiction course especially encouraging! Includes workshops, discussion, tutorials and a guest reader event with poet and novelist Cecilia Knapp.