Last week we held our Starting out in Poetry retreat with tutors Jo Shapcott and Maura Dooley. Helen Reid-Thomas attended the course and wrote this poem about her experiences here. She has kindly allowed us to share it with you all. The journey 1 Smirr and marram-grass; the piu-piu…
Claire Askew was the 2017 recipient of our Jessie Kesson Fellowship, and was writer in residence at Moniack Mhor during the month of March. We asked Claire a few questions about her time here. When did you first find out about the Jessie Kesson Fellowship? I’d been aware that it was…
Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of writers from the Scottish Book Trust. Moniack Mhor is an inspirational place, as you will know if you’ve ever been. One of the course participants, Ciara MacLaverty, was inspired to write this wonderful poem. Women Tell…
Hollie McNish has been announced as winner of the Ted Hughes award for new work in poetry, for her poetic memoir Nobody Told Me. The award seeks to recognise excellence in poetry, highlighting outstanding contributions made by poets to our cultural life. We’re proud to say that Hollie will be…
I arrived to Moniack Mhor at night, being picked up at the airport and driven by the wonderfully enigmatic Gordon in the twists and turns of country roads. Stories of owning wolves and love and loss in the front seat of a mini bus began my magical time. He took…
Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a songwriting retreat. As well as the usual creative buzz and excitement of the course, there was the added factor of STV popping in one morning to film a piece about the retreat.
Resurrecting this series of blog posts… So: Your mobile rings in your pocket. You pull it out and see that it’s a call from your mother… The only thing is: It’s not your phone and your mother died 5 years ago… We’d love to read anything you come up…
Writer Jacqui Millar wrote this poem, inspired by the neighbors who reside in the field next to us. She has kindly allowed us to share it with you here. Highland Cows- Moniack 2016 It is November and the year has turned. Coarse reed like grass prevails over a softer undergrowth,…
Writing Exercise 14 – A Note Discovered This month’s writing exercise is inspired by a note recently discovered in one of the rooms at Moniack Mhor, almost exactly a year after it was written. It said, ‘When you find me, smile and give Cashew a hug’ – for context, Cashew,…
Writing Exercise 13 – New Years Resolutions Write a short story or poem, or even just a passage of prose on the subject of new years resolutions, but here’s the catch – they can’t be the same as any of the resolutions you’ve made for yourself this year. Put yourself…