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2447 Writing Climate – Open Form: Writing Towards the Great Turning with Monique Roffey and Owen Sheers, Guest Reader Charlie Hertzog-Young
Mon 18th Nov - Sat 23rd Nov
Fully Booked
In this open-form course we explore what ecologically informed and engaged writing looks like. And what, if anything, can our writing contribute to the challenge of what Joanna Macy calls ‘the Great Turning’ – a turning towards nature, an era of peace, justice and environmental restoration.
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Young Writers’ Café with L.D. Lapinski
Thu 14th Nov
Join LD Lapinski for an introduction to world-building in fantasy fiction; creating maps and learning how the wider world influences character development.
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2446 Tutored Retreat Poetry: Reading Spaces with Nii Parkes and Hannah Lowe, Guest Reader Jacob Sam-La Rose
Mon 11th Nov - Sat 16th Nov
Limited Places Available
During this week, we want to explore being more deliberate about the wordless element of poems – the spaces. What role do they play, what roles can they play, and how can we be intentional about our use of spaces in poetry – whether in terms of form, syntax or pace?
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Moon Library with Viccy Adams
Wed 6th Nov
Join writer & researcher Viccy Adams in designing the first lending library on the Moon.
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VERSES: RESIDENTIAL
Mon 4th Nov - Sat 9th Nov
Join Jen Hadfield, and Luke Thompson from Guillemot Press, for a nourishing poetry writing week! This residential is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2483 Online: Neurodivergent Writers Month with Rebecca Schiller
Fri 1st Nov - Fri 29th Nov
Online Fully Booked
Join Rebecca Schiller online with a small group of eight other neurodivergent writers for a supportive and creative month finding innovative and authentic ways to progress and shape your writing practice so that it works for you.
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2444 Creative Non-Fiction: Writing From Life with Adam Farrer and Miranda France, Guest Reader Alice Jolly
Mon 28th Oct - Sat 2nd Nov
Limited Places Available
Drawing on a range of examples, we’ll explore ways to write freely and imaginatively about your own and other other people’s experience.
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2493 Online: Poetry Masterclass – with Gerda Stevenson
Thu 24th Oct
Online
Join poet and writer Gerda Stevenson for this 2-hour online masterclass in which she will explore aspects such as sound, rhythm, research and redrafting to help you craft and shape your own poems. Includes writing exercises and a short Q&A.
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2484 Online: Moniack in a Month – Preparing for Publication
Mon 7th Oct - Wed 30th Oct
Online Limited Places Available
Led by literary agent Jenny Brown with guests from across the book world, this month-long online course takes emerging writers through the essential steps to ready their first book for publication. The course is designed for writers who have completed a first draft, either of fiction (literary, commercial or genre) or narrative nonfiction. With guests Malachy Tallack, Francesca Main and Anna Frame.
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2441 Songwriting: Connections with Boo Hewerdine and Hafdís Huld, Guest Reader Xan Tyler
Mon 7th Oct - Sat 12th Oct
Join us for a week of creating new songs and connecting with other songwriters. This week will explore songwriting, as both individuals and also through the joy of collaboration, and the unexpected creative treasures that come from trying something new.
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Young Writers’ Café with Douglas Maxwell
Thu 3rd Oct
Join Douglas for an introduction to playwriting. An informal and fun guide to the various skills a writer needs to bring their work to life on the stage.
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2440 Playwriting: Honing Your Voice with Penelope Skinner and Al Smith, Guest Reader Douglas Maxwell
Mon 30th Sep - Sat 5th Oct
This course is aimed at new and developing writers; you’ll be discussing structure, form and voice and focusing on how to apply those concepts to your work.
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2439 September Retreat
Mon 23rd Sep - Sat 28th Sep
Fully Booked
‘If I were a bird I would fly about the Earth seeking the successive autumns.’ Fly your writing to Moniack Mhor amid the glow of the changing season, as the hills and woodland above Loch Ness turn to bronze.
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Whole Day Young Writers’ Café with Cailean Steed
Sat 21st Sep
A full day workshop to allow you to plan and work on a whole project
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2482 Online: A Year of Writing with Elizabeth Reeder – Season 1
Wed 18th Sep - Wed 18th Dec
Online
Join Elizabeth Reeder online as you work on your long-form fiction or creative non-fiction project. This course offers an open, supportive, dedicated space for you to write a work-in-progress in the company of other writers, with Elizabeth building and holding a kind and supportive frame within which we can do our best work. Includes craft sessions, writing spaces, group feedback, one-to-one tutorials and the chance to share your work with your group.
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Voices of the World at Abriachan Hall, feat. The Bookshop Band
Thu 12th Sep
Join us at Abriachan Hall for a magical evening of poetry and prose from across the world, woven together with acoustic music from The Bookshop Band. 8.00pm – 10.30pm. One complimentary drink on arrival included in ticket price, then BYOB!
Read more and book your place. -
Explore Creative Writing with Jenni Fagan and essa may ranapiri
Wed 11th Sep
Are you care experienced and aged 14-30? Join Scottish author Jenni Fagan and Aotearoan poet essa may ranapiri for a workshop exploring different forms of creative writing, followed by the chance to ask them questions about their writing life.
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Young Writers’ Café with Kerry Andrew
Thu 5th Sep
Join Kerry for a Young Writers’ Café about reinventing folk ballads and traditional stories into prose fiction for our contemporary times.
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2486 Online Guest Writer Event: Poetry – Helen Mort in conversation with John Glenday
Wed 4th Sep
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer Helen Mort will read from her work and be in conversation with John Glenday, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Poetry. Includes a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize 2023 Award Ceremony – Cancelled – see below
Tue 3rd Sep
Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances we have had to take the decision to cancel the live event in Nairn this year. The winner for the 2023 Highland Book Prize will be announced on Wednesday 4th September on the Highland Book Prize website.
The good news is, that Nairn Book & Arts Festival have arranged for an enhanced author talk that same evening, with Highland Book Prize shortlisted author James Macdonald Lockhart to be interviewed by poet Peter Mackay, with music by clarsach player Cheyenne Brown.
Read more and book your place. -
2435 Late August Retreat
Mon 26th Aug - Sat 31st Aug
Fully Booked
The fields around Moniack Mhor are rich and golden with the fullness of summer now, ready for harvest. Join us this August to gather your own words and reap the writing magic.
Read more and book your place. -
2481 Online: Moniack in a Month – Poetry with John Glenday
Thu 22nd Aug - Fri 13th Sep
Online
Join poet John Glenday online in a small group of 12 participants for an intensive month of workshops which will use examples, exercises, discussions and readings to create new poems and hone editing skills. In a step by step series of workshops we’ll learn how to draft, structure, revise and polish poems for maximum impact and effect. A 4-week online course, with guest writer Helen Mort.
Read more and book your place. -
2434 Poetry: Nature and Poetry with Alycia Pirmohamed and Genevieve Carver, Guest Reader Tim Tim Cheng
Mon 19th Aug - Sat 24th Aug
Limited Places Available
How do we engage with the non-human world? How do our own personal histories intersect with our experiences in nature? In this course we will explore how environment, place and wildlife can inform our poetry.
Read more and book your place. -
NEW SONGS: RESIDENTIAL
Sun 11th Aug - Fri 16th Aug
Join Boo Hewerdine and Michele Stodart for a songwriting and recording opportunity! This residential is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2432 Life-Writing: Memoir and Memory with Ali Millar and Kat Lister, Guest Reader Dr Akira O’Connor
Mon 5th Aug - Sat 10th Aug
Fully Booked
Navigate the Fallible Past: Kat Lister and Ali Millar will explore memoir and memory, and where the two intersect, tackling the big question – can a writer trust such a capricious source?
Read more and book your place. -
2491 Online: Fiction Masterclass – Embroidery with Helen Oyeyemi
Thu 1st Aug
Online
Join fiction writer Helen Oyeyemi in her second masterclass, this one focusing on how supplying or omitting details affects the substance and flow of a narrative. Includes writing exercises and a short Q&A.
Read more and book your place. -
2431 Writing Parenthood with Lucy Caldwell and Kerri ní Dochartaigh
Mon 29th Jul - Sat 3rd Aug
Fully Booked
In this course, which can include childcare, we will explore what it means to write contemporary motherhood in fiction and non-fiction, in all of its blood, guts, despair, sublimity, and soul. There are options for attendance on this course.
Read more and book your place. -
2478 Online Guest Writer Event: Writing about Nature and Place – Noreen Masud in conversation with Malachy Tallack
Thu 18th Jul
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer Noreen Masud will read from her work and be in conversation with Malachy Tallack, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Writing about Nature and Place. Includes a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
2429 July Retreat
Mon 15th Jul - Sat 20th Jul
Fully Booked
July is when Moniack’s garden is full and heavy with raspberries! Take this time to nourish the fruit of your own writing – with some home-made scones topped with Kit’s raspberry jam to keep you going.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café
Thu 11th Jul
Join us for a free writing session! No need for experience, just bring along a playful mind and pen and paper! Drinks and snacks provided.
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THIS IS THE THING… : RESIDENTIAL
Sun 7th Jul - Fri 12th Jul
Join Chris Thorpe and Tanuja Amarasuriya for a creative adventure in writing plays! This residential is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2468 Online: Moniack in a Month – Writing about Nature and Place with Malachy Tallack
Wed 3rd Jul - Fri 26th Jul
Online
Join award-winning writer Malachy Tallack and explore how to bring together rich detail and a strong narrative voice to create beautiful and compelling nature writing. A 4-week online course, with guest writer Noreen Masud.
Read more and book your place. -
2427 Tutored Retreat: Crime Writing with Helen Fitzgerald and Doug Johnstone, Guest Reader Karen Sullivan
Mon 1st Jul - Sat 6th Jul
Limited Places Available
Are you working on a crime novel and want to make it sing? This intensive tutored retreat is an opportunity for writers of crime fiction to focus closely on their works-in-progress, finessing and polishing all aspects of their writing.
Read more and book your place. -
2492 Online: Crime Thriller Masterclass – with Leye Adenle
Thu 27th Jun
Online
Join crime thriller writer Leye Adenle for this 2-hour online masterclass. Learn how to intricately weave sensory details into your crime and thriller stories, heightening tension and creating an immersive experience that keeps the reader locked in the fictive dream. Includes writing exercises and a short Q&A.
Read more and book your place. -
2426 Playwriting: Mechanics of Playwriting with Simon Stephens and Cordelia Lynn, Guest Reader Anoushka Warden
Mon 24th Jun - Sat 29th Jun
Fully Booked
An active interrogation of the mechanics of playwriting, this course will creatively examine the use of dramatic action, character, location, narrative and structure in the making of a play.
Read more and book your place. -
2477 Online Guest Writer Event: The Passionate Essay – Luke Thompson in conversation with Jen Hadfield
Mon 17th Jun
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer and publisher Luke Thompson will read from his work and be in conversation with Jen Hadfield, poet, essay writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: The Passionate Essay. Includes a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
2425 Fiction: Starting to write Myth into Fiction with Joanne Harris and Louie Stowell, Guest Reader Kevin Crossley Holland
Mon 17th Jun - Sat 22nd Jun
Fully Booked
As humans, we are embedded in a web of shared stories, handed down through the generations. Join Joanne Harris and Louie Stowell to explore how themes and characters from myths and folklore can help you unlock your own story.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Heather Parry
Thu 13th Jun
Join Heather Parry for an exploration of writing into the gothic genre, and how we can draw upon its long history in new, fresh and exciting ways.
Read more and book your place. -
2424 Poetry: Poetry Practice with Ann and Peter Sansom, Guest Reader Rachael Allen
Mon 10th Jun - Sat 15th Jun
Fully Booked
Applications are invited for this poetry practice course. Taking classic and contemporary poems as model and stimulus, you will move your practice on, while finishing several poems in just one week.
Read more and book your place. -
2467 Online: Moniack in a Month – The Passionate Essay with Jen Hadfield
Fri 7th Jun - Sat 29th Jun
Online Fully Booked
Join award-winning writer Jen Hadfield for an adventure in writing essays and lyrical non-fiction. A 4-week online course, with guest writer and publisher, Luke Thompson.
Read more and book your place. -
2480 Online: Moniack in a Month – Short Story with Cynan Jones
Tue 4th Jun - Fri 28th Jun
Online
Join writer Cynan Jones for a 4-week online short story course to discover tools and motivation to help you tackle a story head-on and develop your own piece of short fiction. Includes workshops, group drop-ins, two one-to-one tutorials and a chance to share your work.
Read more and book your place. -
2423 Early June Retreat
Mon 3rd Jun - Sat 8th Jun
Fully Booked
Summer starts to make itself known in the Scottish Highlands in June, as the days stretch towards the solstice. Make the most of extra daylight and stretch your metaphorical writer legs during our June retreat.
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2421 May Retreat
Mon 20th May - Sat 25th May
Limited Places Available
Clear air and the scent of pine drifting from the forest await you on our May writing retreat. This time is yours to focus on your writing away from the bustle of everyday life.
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Life of a Book: Building Community Evening Surgery
Fri 17th May
These sessions allow you to ask questions specific to your own community needs, and the ways in which you can align and support.
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Life of a Book: Building Community
Fri 17th May
As you look now towards the next stage of your career, how do you work with other writers and organisations? How do you access and co-create community?
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2476 Online Guest Speaker Event: Speculative Fiction – Sorcha Rose in conversation with Rachelle Atalla
Thu 16th May
Online
In this one-hour online industry-focused session delivered via Zoom, editor Sorcha Rose will break down the process of publishing speculative fiction, in discussion with writer and tutor Rachelle Atalla. Includes a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
Life of a Book: Post-Publication Evening Surgery
Thu 16th May
This session focuses on your own writing journey and your expectations around the release of your book into the world and next steps.
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Life of a Book: Post-Publication
Thu 16th May
Publication day is approaching; how do you navigate the highs and lows of the post-publication period?
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Life of a Book: Working with Publishers Evening Surgery
Wed 15th May
In this session you can explore the questions specific to your own publishing journey.
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Life of a Book: Working with Publishers
Wed 15th May
You or your agent are now working with a publisher. In this session the panel will discuss what to expect during this stage of your book’s journey.
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Life of a Book: Querying Evening Surgery
Tue 14th May
Tailor your questions to your own circumstances for these 1-2-1s on the subject of querying and working with agents.
Read more and book your place. -
Life of a Book: Querying
Tue 14th May
You’ve got your book into a good shape: how do you now go about getting it published? How do you work with an agent?
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Life of a Book: Writing the Book Evening Surgery
Mon 13th May
In these short 1-2-1 sessions you can ask questions specific to your own writing project.
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Life of a Book: Writing the Book
Mon 13th May
In this first session of the week, we look at the beginning state of any writer’s journey: turning your words into a book.
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2466 Online: Moniack in a Month – Speculative Fiction with Rachelle Atalla
Wed 8th May - Thu 30th May
Online
Join award-winning writer and screenwriter Rachelle Atalla, exploring the art, breadth and beauty of speculative fiction. 4-week online course, with guest speaker, editor Sorcha Rose
Read more and book your place. -
2419 Tutored Retreat: Writing and Walking with Linda Cracknell and Kapka Kassabova, Guest Reader Horatio Clare
Mon 6th May - Sat 11th May
Place is an integral part of many writers’ prose practice, whether writing fiction or non-fiction. This retreat will give you time and space in the expansive, nurturing environment of Moniack Mhor alongside walking, writing, and reading.
Read more and book your place. -
2418 Fiction: Short Story Flow and Form with Tom Conaghan and Camilla Grudova, Guest Reader Jessie Greengrass
Mon 29th Apr - Sat 4th May
Limited Places Available
In this inspirational week, we will look at elements of flavour, sense and surrealism in short fiction, and encourage flow in your writing to reconnect with creativity beyond any internalised expectations of form.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Keith Jarrett
Thu 25th Apr
Join Keith in finding fascinating ways to write and perform poetry! We’ll be exploring how to employ sharp images to express ourselves, and how to bring them to life beyond the page.
Read more and book your place. -
2474 Online Guest Writer Event: Non-Fiction – Cal Flyn in conversation with Puja Changoiwala
Thu 25th Apr
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer and journalist Cal Flyn will read from her work and be in conversation with Puja Changoiwala, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Non-Fiction. Includes a short time for audience questions.
Read more and book your place. -
2417 Poetry: Fling Open the Doors with Caroline Bird and Malika Booker, Guest Reader Keith Jarrett
Mon 22nd Apr - Sat 27th Apr
Fully Booked
This course is all about radical self-permission, flinging open the doors of ourselves, allowing our blank pages to yield words we didn’t even know we held inside our heads. Prepare to write an almost criminal amount of new poems.
Read more and book your place. -
2416 Mid-April Retreat
Mon 15th Apr - Sat 20th Apr
Fully Booked
Whether you want to energise old work, make space for new work, or simply edit in quiet, you can immerse yourself and your writing in the energy of spring as the landscape around you begins to blossom.
Read more and book your place. -
2464 Online: Moniack in a Month – Non-Fiction: The Twelve-step Roadmap with Puja Changoiwala
Mon 8th Apr - Thu 2nd May
Online Limited Places Available
Conceive, craft and aim to publish your non-fiction stories with award-winning journalist and author, Puja Changoiwala. With guest writer, Cal Flyn.
Read more and book your place. -
2414 Spring Retreat – Week 3 of 3
Mon 1st Apr - Sat 6th Apr
We are dedicating this time of year to the calm of retreats. Join us for the last in our three-week series of spring retreats to give your writing that extra push.
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Club Artysans – Every Thursday
Thu 28th Mar - Thu 19th Dec
A free weekly meet up in Inverness for young people: explore different ways to express yourself through art forms and crafts, have some food, and meet other young people at Cafe Artysans
Read more and book your place. -
2413 Spring Retreat – Week 2 of 3
Mon 25th Mar - Sat 30th Mar
Limited Places Available
As the days draw out, come to Moniack Mhor for a week of undisturbed writing time. Join us for this week only or stay longer for more dedicated writing time during our spring retreat series.
Read more and book your place. -
2490 Online: Fiction Masterclass – Tenses and Tension with Helen Oyeyemi
Fri 22nd Mar
Online
In this two-hour masterclass led by author Helen Oyeyemi, you will discuss and complete writing exercises that address different approaches to maintaining an element of unpredictability in your fiction – whether that’s aimed at the reader or more for self-motivational purposes. Includes a short Q&A.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Jem Milton
Thu 21st Mar
Join Jem for an interactive session of creativity and learning, where they share insights on storytelling and comics, and create a piece of art that is uniquely yours.
Read more and book your place. -
2412 Spring Retreat – Week 1 of 3
Mon 18th Mar - Sat 23rd Mar
Limited Places Available
Whilst the natural world wakes up and stretches, join us for an untutored retreat to place your writing at the forefront. Join us for this week only or stay longer for more dedicated writing time during our spring retreat series.
Read more and book your place. -
Poetry Live at Moniack Mhor: SHAEIRAT (شاعرات / poetesses)
Tue 12th Mar
Join us at Moniack Mhor for an evening of live poetry in the Strawbale Studio, with Soukaina Habiballah, Mouna Ouafik, and Sawsan Al Areeqe. This event is part of the Scottish tour of SHAEIRAT, which aims to give voice to marginalised female writers from the Middle East and North Africa.
Read more and book your place. -
2411 Mid-March Retreat
Mon 11th Mar - Sat 16th Mar
See out the last of the winter light and take the time to nurture and expand your writing in this newly programmed March retreat. This retreat also includes an evening reading event, by the fireside in our off-grid Strawbale Studio, with visiting poets from Morocco and Yemen.
Read more and book your place. -
2463 Online: Moniack in Seven and a Half Weeks – Writing Audio Drama with Jessica Dromgoole
Wed 6th Mar - Fri 19th Apr
Online Fully Booked
Make your scripts fly with award-winning audio drama producer and director Jessica Dromgoole. A 7.5-week online course, with guest writers Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Katie Hims.
Read more and book your place. -
2471 Online Guest Writer Event: Fiction – Andrew Greig in conversation with Cynthia Rogerson
Thu 15th Feb
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer Andrew Greig will read from his work and be in conversation with Cynthia Rogerson, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Fiction. Includes a short time for audience questions.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Kirsty Logan
Thu 15th Feb
Join Kirsty for a fun and spooky exploration of how to write horror and supernatural stories.
Read more and book your place. -
2407 Historical Fiction with Margaret Elphinstone and Vicky MacKenzie, Guest Reader S.I. Martin
Mon 12th Feb - Sat 17th Feb
Limited Places Available
Uncover the art of crafting vivid historical fiction – from meticulous research to imaginative leaps into the past.
Read more and book your place. -
2461 Online: Moniack in a Month – Fiction with Cynthia Rogerson
Wed 7th Feb - Thu 29th Feb
Online Fully Booked
Get your fiction writing year off to a flying start with award-winning author Cynthia Rogerson. Suitable for complete beginners as well as any writer who feels they’ve lost their way. With guest reader Andrew Greig.
Read more and book your place. -
2472 Online Guest Writer Event: Short Fiction – Leone Ross in conversation with Yan Ge
Mon 5th Feb
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer Leone Ross will read from her work and be in conversation with Yan Ge, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Short Fiction. There will also be a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
2406 Fiction with Ross Raisin and Kim Sherwood, Guest Reader Ron Butlin
Mon 5th Feb - Sat 10th Feb
Fully Booked
Navigate the final stretch of your novel-writing journey with expert guidance. Our intensive workshop series will equip you with the tools to overcome hurdles, refine your narrative, and reach the triumphant finish line.
Read more and book your place. -
2405 Late January Retreat
Mon 29th Jan - Sat 3rd Feb
Limited Places Available
Amidst snow-draped hills and crackling fireplaces, let the season’s chill invigorate your pen.
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2404 Songwriting with Kathryn Williams and Dan Willson, Guest Reader Louis Abbott
Mon 22nd Jan - Sat 27th Jan
Fully Booked
Unleash your inner songwriter, find your voice, and connect through music in an immersive week of workshops, co-writing sessions, and inspiring performances for all levels of experience.
Read more and book your place. -
2470 Online Guest Writer Event: Poetry – Hollie McNish in conversation with Michael Pedersen
Wed 17th Jan
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer Hollie McNish will read from her work and be in conversation with Michael Pedersen, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Poetry. Includes a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
2403 January Retreat
Mon 15th Jan - Sat 20th Jan
Fully Booked
Join us for a rejuvenating start to the new year, where words flow freely in the Highland air.
Read more and book your place. -
2462 Online: Moniack in a Month – Short Fiction with Yan Ge
Thu 11th Jan - Thu 8th Feb
Online Limited Places Available
Join award-winning bilingual writer Yan Ge online for a month to dive into stories from all over the world and explore the possibilities of short fiction. With guest reader, Leone Ross.
Read more and book your place. -
2460 Online: Moniack in a Month – Poetry with Michael Pedersen
Mon 8th Jan - Wed 31st Jan
Online Fully Booked
Get soppy, sentimental, gallus and gooey with poet Michael Pedersen, exploring love, life, grief and beasts. A 4-week online course, with guest reader Hollie McNish.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Cailean Steed
Thu 14th Dec
Join Cailean as they help you craft the perfect thriller.
Read more and book your place. -
2350 Christmas Retreat
Mon 11th Dec - Sat 16th Dec
Limited Places Available
Forget the festive rush, and come to Moniack Mhor for some writing instead. This could be the perfect gift to yourself – time, space, and the permission to write, with festive treats laid on!
Read more and book your place. -
2349 Tutored Retreat: Fiction with Amanda Smyth and Kevin MacNeil, Guest Reader Jenny Brown
Mon 4th Dec - Sat 9th Dec
Fully Booked
This week-long tutored retreat offers an opportunity to focus intensively on a work-in-progress.
Read more and book your place. -
2348 Poetry with Helen Mort and John Glenday, Guest Reader Marjorie Lotfi
Mon 27th Nov - Sat 2nd Dec
30th Anniversary Fully Booked
Bringing it all together – now that your work has started appearing in magazines and journals, where do you go from here? This intensive tutored retreat will provide support and tailored advice to poets who are ready to put together a first publication.
Read more and book your place. -
2347 November Retreat
Mon 20th Nov - Sat 25th Nov
Limited Places Available
A warm welcome and a well-stoked log fire await you at Moniack Mhor. Whether you want to work on your latest manuscript, play, or poems, this time is yours. Immerse yourself in your work in a supportive environment, away from any distractions.
Read more and book your place. -
2385 Online: Flash Fiction Workshop with Meg Pokrass
Tue 14th Nov
30th Anniversary Online Fully Booked
How do flash fiction writers create dramatic urgency and emotional truth in a few words? In this exercise-driven small-group workshop, Meg Pokrass will focus on what makes a flash story exceptional.
Read more and book your place. -
2346 Short Fiction with A.L. Kennedy and Sean Lusk, Guest Reader Bernard MacLaverty
Mon 13th Nov - Sat 18th Nov
30th Anniversary Fully Booked
Writing that sings relies on a writer undertaking a number of interlinked processes. On this course, you’ll learn practical, dynamic ways to improve your drafts, lift the level of your prose, serve your voice and ask more from your stories.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Dan Willson
Thu 9th Nov
Join Dan for the next Young Writers’ Cafe.
Read more and book your place. -
2345 Songwriting with Kris Drever and Michele Stodart, Guest Reader Withered Hand (Dan Willson)
Mon 6th Nov - Sat 11th Nov
Limited Places Available
Dive into this creative week of songwriting, co-writing and explore the possibilities of telling a story through song, connecting words to music and sound, finding your inner voice and creativity.
Read more and book your place. -
Introduction to Creative Writing
Sun 5th Nov
Join Joseph Elliott for an introduction to creative writing! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2344 Life Writing with Amy Liptrot and Horatio Clare, Guest Reader Nancy Campbell
Mon 30th Oct - Sat 4th Nov
Fully Booked
People, Memory and Truth: learn how to write dazzling non-fiction which matters and moves. Tutors Horatio Clare and Amy Liptrot will cover a wide spectrum of techniques that will apply to journalism, memoir, biography, travel and nature writing.
Read more and book your place. -
2369 Online: Moniack in Six Weeks – Nature Writing with Mark Cocker
Wed 25th Oct - Fri 1st Dec
Online Fully Booked
Join multi-award-winning author Mark Cocker online for six weeks exploring the essentials of nature and non-fiction writing
Read more and book your place. -
SOUND AND VISION- RESIDENTIAL
Mon 16th Oct - Fri 20th Oct
Join Graeme Roger, Dave Martin and Ross Carbarns and explore photography, film, sound and projection! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2384 Online: Historical Fiction Masterclass with Sean Lusk
Thu 12th Oct
30th Anniversary Online
In this historical fiction masterclass, Sean will cover how to do your research, how to write real historical characters in new ways, how to invent credible new characters to walk alongside them and discuss how to make language and tone convincing yet fresh.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Jem Milton
Thu 12th Oct
Join Jem for an interactive journey where they demystify the comic-making process.
Read more and book your place. -
MAKING COMICS
Wed 11th Oct
Join Jem Milton for a FREE comic making workshop! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2341 October Retreat
Mon 9th Oct - Sat 14th Oct
Fully Booked
Steep yourself in the rich Highland autumn, and focus on your work in our relaxed and supportive setting. Enjoy space and time to write alongside seasonal food, crisp air, and the company of fellow writers over coffee and cake – perfect for enriching your writing practice.
Read more and book your place. -
2340 NEW – Early October Retreat
Mon 2nd Oct - Sat 7th Oct
Fully Booked
With high demand for our untutored retreats, we have fitted in an extra week of writing space this autumn. Come along to relax in our beautiful surroundings and focus on your writing while we look after you.
Read more and book your place. -
ROLEPLAYING GAMES
Sat 30th Sep - Sun 1st Oct
Join John Moley, Richmond Clements and Rachel Humphries for a FREE gaming day! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2339 End of September Retreat
Mon 25th Sep - Sat 30th Sep
Fully Booked
As the weather begins to turn, let Moniack Mhor be the backdrop to your latest writing project. Have a wander round the garden for a leg stretch, say hello to the Highland cows next door, and look out for the kites circling in the sky!
Read more and book your place. -
DEVELOPING CHARACTER
Sat 23rd Sep
Join Alan Bissett for a FREE workshop learning how to develop characters! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2375 Online Guest Reader event: Writing Science Fiction – Justina Robson
Thu 14th Sep
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, sci-fi writer Justina Robson will read from her work and be in conversation with Ken MacLeod, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Writing Science Fiction. There will also be a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
SHORT STORIES: GETTING STARTED
Thu 14th Sep
Join Alan Bissett for a FREE workshop learning how to start your short story! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2337 Historical Fiction with Shona MacLean and Andrew Miller, Guest Reader Vicky MacKenzie
Mon 11th Sep - Sat 16th Sep
30th Anniversary Fully Booked
At Home in Strange Rooms: Explore how to create a persuasive sense of historical place, create engaging characters, explore approaches research, and find ways to filter historical detail for the ends of your story.
Read more and book your place. -
2374 Online Guest Reader event: Narrative Non-Fiction – Samira Shackle
Thu 7th Sep
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer and reporter Samira Shackle will read from her work and be in conversation with Cal Flyn, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Narrative Non-Fiction. There will also be a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with William Letford
Thu 7th Sep
Join William Letford to explore how sound and shape can be used to alter the form of your poems.
Read more and book your place. -
2365 Online: Moniack in a Month – Writing Science Fiction with Ken MacLeod
Wed 6th Sep - Thu 28th Sep
Online
Join award-winning sci-fi writer Ken MacLeod online for a month of workshops to bring your sci-fi ideas, worlds, and characters to life. With guest reader, Justina Robson.
Read more and book your place. -
2336 Poetry with Hannah Lavery and Joelle Taylor, Guest Reader William Letford
Mon 4th Sep - Sat 9th Sep
Fully Booked
Poetry as Memoir: Join Hannah and Joelle as they show you how to create poetry that is passionate, political, and personal.
Read more and book your place. -
OIL PAINTING
Sat 2nd Sep
Join Allan MacDonald for a FREE oil painting workshop! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2364 Online: Moniack in a Month – Narrative Non-Fiction with Cal Flyn
Tue 29th Aug - Thu 21st Sep
Online Fully Booked
Join award-winning author and journalist Cal Flyn online for a month of workshops as she examines the art of narrative nonfiction. With guest reader, Samira Shackle.
Read more and book your place. -
2335 Tutored Retreat: Crime with Louise Welsh and Abir Mukherjee, Guest Reader Vaseem Khan
Mon 28th Aug - Sat 2nd Sep
Fully Booked
This tutored retreat is an excellent opportunity to get expert feedback on your killer crime stories, with time to write and dedicated support to help you improve your works-in-progress.
Read more and book your place. -
PYROGRAPHY
Wed 23rd Aug
Join Lee Borthwick for a free workshop trying pyrography! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
Moniack Mhor Writers-in-Residence On Tour: Words from Around the World
Thu 10th Aug
Join us for this special evening of words from around the world at the Pier Arts Centre, Stromness – melding Orcadian music with writing, poetry, and performance from Moniack Mhor’s Summer Writers-in-Residence.
Read more and book your place. -
International Cabaret of Words & Music
Fri 4th Aug
You are invited to join us for an exciting evening of international words and music in Inverness!
Writers from West Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Scotland have come together to work with young people through Moniack Mhor’s Young Writers Festival to help them find their creative voice and hone their craft – now you can share in that creative energy at this cabaret of performance from all the participating writers, accompanied by music.
Read more and book your place. -
Nature Writing with Amanda Thomson
Fri 4th Aug
Join writer and visual artist Amanda Thomson in exploring nature writing. You’ll think about nature not in a vacuum, but as something that’s all around us, that impacts on us everyday, from the very personal and local, out into the wider world.
Read more and book your place. -
Poetic Forms with Alycia Pirmohamed
Thu 3rd Aug
Join this workshop with poet Alycia Pirmohamed. It is aimed at generating new work in a variety of poetic forms and you will look at how contemporary poets use linebreaks and space in their work to construct a narrative.
Read more and book your place. -
Workshop with Mariam Al Zarooni
Thu 3rd Aug
Join us for the Young Writers’ Festival workshop with Mariam Alzarooni.
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Performance Poetry with Tolu Agbelusi
Wed 2nd Aug
Join Nigerian British poet, playwright, and artist, Tolu Agbelusi in exploring how to write so that people remember, and how to put power into your performance so that you can own any stage
Read more and book your place. -
Inclusion and Language with Chika Jones
Tue 1st Aug
Join this workshop with Chika Jones to think about ways to include others in their work. You will leave with a better understanding of translation, an improved appreciation for sign language and a renewed interest in inclusivity.
Read more and book your place. -
2382 Online: Fiction Masterclass with James Robertson
Tue 1st Aug
30th Anniversary Online
What is the best way to tell your story? How do you find the right voice, perspective, tone, tense? This 2-hour masterclass is part of a series created in celebration of Moniack Mhor’s 30th anniversary, and includes short writing exercises and space for a Q&A.
Read more and book your place. -
How to Craft a Novel with Heather Parry
Tue 1st Aug
Join fiction writer Heather Parry to turn your initial “what if?” idea into a novel with effective characters, a strong plotline and a hook that really works.
Read more and book your place. -
2383 Online: Critical Reading Masterclass with Kevin MacNeil
Wed 26th Jul
30th Anniversary Online
How do we persuasively share our views when articulating our thoughts on the books we read? This 2-hour masterclass focusing on critical reading, reflecting and reviewing will also include space for discussion and audience questions. Part of a series celebrating Moniack Mhor’s 30th anniversary.
Read more and book your place. -
POETRY
Wed 26th Jul
Join Billy Letford for a poetry workshop aimed at travelling through your own imagination and surprising yourself! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
QUEER VOICES!
Fri 21st Jul
Join Theodore Brogan and Ellenor Cowling for a day of exploring queer voices! Both workshops are FREE and open to all.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Michel Faber
Thu 20th Jul - Tue 1st Aug
Join Michel Faber for our next Young Writers’ Café who will talk you through the rewards, rejections, challenges, weirdnesses and dangers of being a writer.
Read more and book your place. -
2329 Fiction with Kevin MacNeil and Liz Hyder, Guest Reader Michel Faber
Mon 17th Jul - Sat 22nd Jul
30th Anniversary Fully Booked
Push your work-in-progress to the next level in this fun and practical course for novelists – explore dialogue, sensory detail, pacing, and the relationship between fiction and fact.
Read more and book your place. -
SONGWRITING AND STORIES- RESIDENTIAL
Mon 10th Jul - Sat 15th Jul
Join Boo Hewerdine, Emily Barker, John Hegley and Kerry Hudson for a creative adventure in writing songs and stories! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2327 – This week might be Songschool – but leave off the programme launch for now. MG
Mon 3rd Jul - Sat 8th Jul
*Retreat description still required*
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Priscilla Mante
Thu 29th Jun
Join Priscilla Mante to explore how to start your story off strong.
Read more and book your place. -
2326 Writing for Young Adults with Lucy Christopher and Anthony McGowan, Guest Reader Priscilla Mante
Mon 26th Jun - Sat 1st Jul
Fully Booked
Whether you’re new to writing the teenage voice, or already have a YA novel well under way, these experienced, award-winning tutors will guide you through the joys and challenges of finding your teenage voice in your fiction.
Read more and book your place. -
WOODTURNING
Fri 23rd Jun - Sat 24th Jun
Join Angus Clyne to try your hand at woodturning! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD
Thu 15th Jun
Join Hamish MacDonald to try your hand at poetry and spoken word! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2373 Online Guest Reader event: Memoir – Graham Morgan
Wed 14th Jun
30th Anniversary Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, memoir writer Graham Morgan will read from his work and be in conversation with Catherine Simpson, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Memoir. There will also be a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
2324 Neurodiverse Writing with Debris Stevenson and Hannah Silva, Guest Reader Harry Josephine Giles
Mon 12th Jun - Sat 17th Jun
30th Anniversary Limited Places Available
This course celebrates open-minded and weird-minded thinkers and writers. Bring a work in progress, a kernel of an idea, or a spark of curiosity and enthusiasm for language.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café – Open Writing Space
Thu 8th Jun
Join us for the new monthly open writing space offering time and space to work on your project.
Read more and book your place. -
2323 Short Course with Alyson Hallet and Sarah Moss
Thu 8th Jun - Sun 11th Jun
Fully Booked
How does place write to us and how might we write in place? In this course we will practice being in, attending to and writing about place in poetry and prose.
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize 2022 Award Ceremony
Tue 6th Jun
Join this year’s Highland Book Prize Shortlisted authors, Ali Smith, Tony Davidson, Duncan Gillies, and Cynthia Rogerson, as we celebrate each of their books with conversation and readings online, before we announce the winner of the Highland Book Prize 2022.
Read more and book your place. -
2363 Online: Moniack in a Month – Memoir with Catherine Simpson
Mon 5th Jun - Wed 28th Jun
Online Fully Booked
Join writer Catherine Simpson online for a month and explore how to shape your own memoir: it’s your story. With guest reader, Graham Morgan.
Read more and book your place. -
2357 Online: Three Seasons of Poetry with Jen Hadfield – Season 3, Ecopoetics
Thu 1st Jun - Fri 21st Jul
30th Anniversary Online Fully Booked
Join poet Jen Hadfield online this summer for ‘Ecopoetics’, the last in her Three Seasons of Poetry exploring different themes and poetic forms.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Leyla Josephine
Thu 25th May
Join Leyla Josephine to explore how your own identity and real life experiences can influence your writing within fiction or autobiographical pieces.
Read more and book your place. -
2381 Online: Memoir Masterclass with Cathy Rentzenbrink
Thu 25th May
Online
This stimulating workshop will offer tools and techniques to help you start turning your life events into a narrative. This 2-hour masterclass is part of a series created in celebration of Moniack Mhor’s 30th anniversary, and includes short writing exercises and space for a Q&A.
Read more and book your place. -
2321 Fiction – Your Work in Progress with Carys Bray and Wyl Menmuir, Guest Reader Sarah Franklin
Mon 22nd May - Sat 27th May
Fully Booked
As spring moves into summer, join Carys Bray and Wyl Menmuir for this tutored course in Fiction.
Read more and book your place. -
2320 Playwriting with Ella Hickson and Al Smith, Guest Reader David Greig
Mon 15th May - Sat 20th May
Fully Booked
In a course aimed at new and developing playwrights, we’ll be discussing structure, form and voice, and focusing on how to apply those concepts to your work.
Read more and book your place. -
2320 Mid-May Retreat
Mon 15th May - Sat 20th May
On Wednesday 17th May, it is exactly 30 years since Moniack Mhor officially opened our doors as a Writers Centre, back in 1993. Join us on an untutored retreat during this very special week.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café – Open Writing Space
Thu 11th May
Join us for the new monthly open writing space offering time and space to work on your project.
Read more and book your place. -
2319 Non-Fiction with Puja Changoiwala and Dan Richards, Guest Reader David Godwin
Mon 8th May - Sat 13th May
Only Twin Rooms Available
Non-fiction takes many forms — be it rigorous journalism, criminal investigations, lyrical travel essays, scientific writing, memoir, or celebrations of culture. How can we create work that matters and connects?
Read more and book your place. -
2390 Life Writing by the Fireside with Cynthia Rogerson
Sun 7th May
How to shape a story from experience, hosted by Cynthia Rogerson. Two-hour in-person workshop held at Moniack Mhor Writers’ Centre.
Read more and book your place. -
2318 Early May Retreat
Mon 1st May - Sat 6th May
Fully Booked
Immerse yourself in the fresh Highland air at Moniack Mhor to release your thoughts and ideas, in the glorious month of May as the evenings become lighter.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Doug Johnstone
Thu 27th Apr
Are you thinking about sources of inspiration for your writing? Crime Writer Doug Johnstone will help you own your story and shape it through editing techniques.
Read more and book your place. -
2317 Starting to Write Crime Fiction with Lilja Sigurðardóttir and Johana Gustawsson, Guest Reader Doug Johnstone
Mon 24th Apr - Sat 29th Apr
Limited Places Available
Do you have a killer idea for a crime novel but don’t know where to start? Join Johana Gustawsson and Lilja Sigurðardóttir for an inspiring week where you will get the know-how to start your crime novel.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café – Open Writing Space
Thu 13th Apr
Join us for the new monthly open writing space offering time and space to work on your project.
Read more and book your place. -
2315 April Retreat
Mon 10th Apr - Sat 15th Apr
Fully Booked
Take some time to recharge and focus on your own writing, in the beautiful springtime scenery here at Moniack Mhor.
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize Longlist Series: Conversation with Tony Davidson
Sat 8th Apr
Join Tony Davidson beside the fire at Kilmorack Gallery for this online event, as he discusses his book, Confessions of a Highland Art Dealer (Woodwose Books), longlisted for the Highland Book Prize 2022.
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize Longlist Events: Poetry Workshop with Lydia Harris
Fri 7th Apr
Highland Book Prize Longlisted poet, Lydia Harris, will be leading a poetry workshop at Orkney Library, exploring how to write poetry from objects private devotion. Hosted in the Orkney Room of the reference library, you will draw on books and objects as a venerable and rich source of ideas.
Read more and book your place. -
2361 Online: Moniack in a Month – Poetry and Dreams with Caroline Bird
Mon 3rd Apr - Thu 27th Apr
Online Fully Booked
Join award-winning poet Caroline Bird online for a month as part of a group of 12 participating writers exploring Poetry and Dreams.
Read more and book your place. -
2314 Fiction with Jane Feaver and Michael Donkor, Guest Reader Guy Gunaratne
Mon 3rd Apr - Sat 8th Apr
Limited Places Available
This course is designed for writers wanting or willing to begin afresh. You might have a project in hand and want to give it new impetus and life, or you might be prepared to start again from scratch.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Carly Brown
Thu 30th Mar
Are you interested in trying out spoken word poetry? Join Scotland’s 2013 National Champion of Slam Poetry, Carly Brown, at our next Young Writers Café and get your voice heard!
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize Longlist Events: Jennifer Morag Henderson
Thu 30th Mar
Join Jennifer Morag Henderson for this reader event at Waterstones, Inverness, where she will be talking about Daughters of the North: Jean Gordon and Mary, Queen of Scots, longlisted for the Highland Book Prize 2022.
Read more and book your place. -
2313 Poetry with Dean Atta and Nadine Aisha Jassat, Guest Reader Alycia Pirmohamed
Mon 27th Mar - Sat 1st Apr
Limited Places Available
An immersive week of poetry, where you will be guided towards connecting to your voice and exploring the stories you want to tell, while keeping in mind the questions that drive so many of us to the page.
Read more and book your place. -
2312 March Retreat
Mon 20th Mar - Sat 25th Mar
Fully Booked
Join us here at Moniack Mhor in March to nurture the seeds of your creativity and allow your writing to bloom.
Read more and book your place. -
2362 Online: Moniack in Six Weeks – Nature Writing with Mark Cocker
Wed 15th Mar - Fri 21st Apr
Online Fully Booked
Join multi-award-winning author Mark Cocker online for six weeks exploring the essentials of nature and non-fiction writing
Read more and book your place. -
2360 Online: Moniack in a Month – Writing For and About Young People with Jenny Valentine
Mon 13th Mar - Tue 4th Apr
Online Limited Places Available
Join award-winning writer Jenny Valentine online for a month in a group of 12 participating writers exploring how to write for and about young people.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café – Open Writing Space
Thu 9th Mar
Join us for the new monthly open writing space offering time and space to work on your project.
Read more and book your place. -
ONLINE: Duncan Gillies in conversation with Anne Frater
Tue 7th Mar
Join us online for this special Gaelic Highland Book Prize Longlist event, celebrating Crann-Fige le Donnchadh MacGillÌosa. Duncan will be reading from this Highland Book Prize longlisted collection of short stories, published in both Gaelic and English, and talking to Anne Frater about the book.
Read more and book your place. -
Online Poetry Workshop with Jen Hadfield
Thu 2nd Mar
This online workshop with Jen Hadfield is a special event for supporters of the Moniack Mhor Friends’ Scheme. For more information about the Friends Scheme visit https://www.moniackmhor.org.uk/writers/friends/
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Kirstin Innes
Thu 23rd Feb
The award-winning writer Kirstin Innes will lead this first Young Writers’ Café for young people in Inverness and surrounding areas.
Read more and book your place. -
2356 Online: Three Seasons of Poetry with Jen Hadfield – Season 2
Tue 14th Feb - Thu 30th Mar
Online Limited Places Available
Join poet Jen Hadfield online this autumn for the second of three seasons of poetry, each exploring different themes and poetic forms.
Read more and book your place. -
2307 February Retreat
Mon 13th Feb - Sat 18th Feb
Fully Booked
Give your writing the time and space it deserves. Join us here at Moniack Mhor to share this beautiful month with other like-minded writers.
Read more and book your place. -
2305 Third January Retreat – Week 3 of 3
Mon 30th Jan - Sat 4th Feb
We are dedicating this time of year to the calm of retreats. Join us for this week only, or stay on from the previous January retreats.
Read more and book your place. -
2355 Online: A Year of Writing with Elizabeth Reeder – Season 4
Wed 25th Jan - Wed 29th Mar
Online Limited Places Available
Elizabeth Reeder’s online course, A Year of Writing, completes its final season, starting on 25 January 2023. New participants also welcome for a 3-month kickstart to your writing year!
Read more and book your place. -
2304 Second January Retreat – Week 2 of 3
Mon 23rd Jan - Sat 28th Jan
While the cold dark weather surrounds us, warm up next to the cosy wood-burning stoves at Moniack Mhor to focus your attention and hone your writing. Join us for this week only, or stay on for the other January retreats.
Read more and book your place. -
2303 First January Retreat – Week 1 of 3
Mon 16th Jan - Sat 21st Jan
Start your year with an untutored retreat at Moniack Mhor and give yourself time and space to focus on your project. Join us for this week only, or stay on for the next January retreats.
Read more and book your place. -
Christmas Retreat
Mon 12th Dec - Sat 17th Dec
Fully Booked
As Christmas approaches, join us for a festive retreat to cosy up to wood-burning stoves and twinkling tree lights as you relax and allow your writing to take centre stage.
Read more and book your place. -
Early December Retreat
Mon 5th Dec - Sat 10th Dec
Fully Booked
Don your jumpers and join us here on the hill for some guilt-free time to read, reflect and write before the Christmas rush.
Read more and book your place. -
Eco-poetics with Jen Hadfield and James Goodman, Guest visit from Guillemot Press
Mon 28th Nov - Sat 3rd Dec
Limited Places Available
We’ll explore ideas of home, where human meets wild, and the wild in us, poetic strategies for processing loss and fear, and universal and overwhelming experience.
Read more and book your place. -
Songwriting with Kenny Anderson & Emily Barker, Guest Emma Pollock
Mon 21st Nov - Sat 26th Nov
Fully Booked
Join Kenny Anderson, known better under his stage name King Creosote, and Emily Barker for an inspired week in the hills full of song, discussion, writing, imagination and a visit from special guest Emma Pollock.
Read more and book your place. -
Guest Reader Series 2022 – Cathy Rentzenbrink
Thu 17th Nov
Online
In this one-hour session delivered via Zoom, Cathy Rentzenbrink will read from her bestselling books and discuss memoir writing with her audience
Read more and book your place. -
Memoir with Chitra Ramaswamy & Colin Grant, Guest Reader (via Zoom link): Cathy Rentzenbrink
Mon 14th Nov - Sat 19th Nov
Fully Booked
In this practical and immersive course on the art of writing memoir, Chitra Ramaswamy and Colin Grant will guide you through the process of constructing your story, offering tips and hacks on voice, structure, and what to leave in and take out when telling the story of your life.
Read more and book your place. -
Online: Three Seasons of Poetry with Jen Hadfield
Tue 8th Nov - Thu 22nd Dec
Online Fully Booked
Join poet Jen Hadfield online this autumn for the first of three seasons of poetry, each exploring different themes and poetic forms.
Read more and book your place. -
End of October Retreat
Mon 31st Oct - Sat 5th Nov
Limited Places Available
Give yourself the time and space you need to read, reflect and write – in the beautiful surrounding of Moniack Mhor, with delicious food, beautiful views and like-minded company.
Read more and book your place. -
Gothic Fiction with CJ Cooke & Natasha Pulley, Guest Andrew Michael Hurley
Mon 24th Oct - Sat 29th Oct
Fully Booked
Want to write fiction that sends shivers up the spine? How about mastering the important art of suspension of disbelief? Take your writing to the next level with award-winning gothic novelists CJ and Natasha .
Read more and book your place. -
Emerging Writers’ Tutored Retreat with Childcare with Hannah Lavery, Horatio Clare and Cynthia Rogerson
Mon 17th Oct - Sat 22nd Oct
Fully Booked
In this unique week-long course, dedicated tutors will be on hand to help you with your writing. Childcare support will be provided by the team at Abriachan Forest.
Read more and book your place. -
Tutored Fiction Retreat With Gillian Slovo & Romesh Gunesekera, Guest Jenny Brown
Mon 26th Sep - Sat 1st Oct
Fully Booked
This tutored retreat, most suited to people who have a work in progress, will give you time to write and meet with fellow writers, and also time to discuss your ideas with Gillian and Romesh.
Read more and book your place. -
Autumn Solstice Retreat
Mon 19th Sep - Sat 24th Sep
Fully Booked
Join us for an uninterruped writing week at Moniack Mhor during the Autumn Solstice light. Take the time and space you need to get your thoughts going and your words flowing.
Read more and book your place. -
Online: A Year of Writing with Elizabeth Reeder – Term 3
Wed 14th Sep - Wed 21st Dec
Online Fully Booked
Elizabeth Reeder’s online course, A Year of Writing, continues throughout this year and the third term begins on 14 September.
Read more and book your place. -
Spirit Advocacy Workshop: Writing Place with Jen Hadfield
Mon 5th Sep
Partnership Course
On Monday 5th September we are hosting the fourth of five special writing workshops, Writing about Place with Jen Hadfield, delivered in collaboration with Spirit Advocacy and HUG: Action for Mental Health.
Tutored by poet Aoife Lyall this two hour workshop will open up the world of poetry, using the HUG project as a springboard to creative expression.
Read more and book your place. -
Life Writing with Richard Skinner & Vesna Goldsworthy, Guest Rupert Thomson
Mon 5th Sep - Sat 10th Sep
Limited Places Available
The genre of life writing is bigger and broader than ever. This course will look at the many and diverse ways you can write about your life or other peoples’.
Read more and book your place. -
Essay / Non-Fiction with Tabitha Lasley & Peter Ross, Guest Gavin Francis
Mon 29th Aug - Sat 3rd Sep
Limited Places Available
The essay is a broad and rich literary form that can articulate and explore ideas, experiences, emotions and the everyday. This course will cover a range of techniques and issues, drawing upon examples of fine work from across decades.
Read more and book your place. -
August Retreat
Mon 15th Aug - Sat 20th Aug
Fully Booked
Think, reflect and write from Monday to Saturday and give your work-in-the-progress the attention it deserves.
Read more and book your place. -
Songwriting with Boo Hewerdine & Findlay Napier, Guest Jenny Sturgeon
Mon 8th Aug - Sat 13th Aug
Fully Booked
Findlay Napier and Boo Hewerdine write songs from observations and real life experience. During this week long course, you too, can learn the power of turning narrative into song. You’ll spend the week honing your writing skills, starting from the very basics to well-crafted, finished pieces.
Read more and book your place. -
MIAM Online: Short Story with Cynan Jones
Tue 2nd Aug - Fri 26th Aug
Online Fully Booked
Inspired to write but not sure where to begin? Or perhaps you’ve lost momentum with a work-in-progress. This online course will give you the tools and motivation to tackle a story head on and develop your own piece of short fiction, with regular workshops over the course of a month.
Read more and book your place. -
Professional Writers’ Retreat with Childcare
Mon 1st Aug - Sat 6th Aug
This year, we are delighted to offer a retreat with childcare. With summer in full swing, we want to offer writers with caring responsibilities to be able to have the space and time to think and write.
Read more and book your place. -
Spirit Advocacy Workshop: Online Comedy Writing with A.L. Kennedy
Thu 28th Jul
Online Partnership Course
On Thursday 28th July we are hosting the third of five special writing workshops, delivered in collaboration with Spirit Advocacy and HUG: Action for Mental Health.
Tutored by A.L. Kennedy this two hour workshop will open up the world of comedy writing, using the HUG project as a springboard to creative expression.
Read more and book your place. -
Picture Books: Where Imagery and Stories Meet, with David Melling & Vivian French, Guest Ross Collins
Mon 25th Jul - Sat 30th Jul
Limited Places Available
Believable characters, a strong story, emotion, continuity and settings are all important when creating a picture book for children. This course will give you tips, techniques, professional advice and encourage experimentation.
Read more and book your place. -
Fiction: Experimentation and Getting (back) to the Writing with Elizabeth Reeder & Beatrice Hitchman, Guest Mahsuda Snaith
Mon 18th Jul - Sat 23rd Jul
Fully Booked
Wherever you are in your Fiction project, this course will help you take small (or maybe bold) steps to generate ideas, connections and energy and to love the writing (again).
Read more and book your place. -
Poetry: Where Do Poems Come From? with Katharine Towers & Niall Campbell, Guest Jen Hadfield
Mon 11th Jul - Sat 16th Jul
Fully Booked
Katharine and Niall will share their writing experience and help you find strategies to write your truth and make it compelling to the reader.
Read more and book your place. -
Spirit Advocacy Workshop: Poetry with Aoife Lyall
Thu 30th Jun
Partnership Course
On Thursday 30th June we are hosting the second of five special writing workshops, delivered in collaboration with Spirit Advocacy and HUG: Action for Mental Health.
Tutored by poet Aoife Lyall this two hour workshop will open up the world of poetry, using the HUG project as a springboard to creative expression.
Read more and book your place.
