THE 20th annual Wigtown Poetry Prizes have been launched and continue to build on the strong tradition of nurturing and showcasing work in each of the country’s indigenous languages – English, Gaelic and Scots.
In the last two decades it has grown to become a major literary accolade, attracting hundreds of entries from every part of the world.
The judging panels have featured the likes of Liz Lochhead, Gerda Stevenson, John Burnside, Rody Gorman, Bill Herbert, Christine De Luca, Aonghas MacNeacail and John Glenday.
Nicholas Walker, Wigtown Poetry Prize Group chair, said: “This is an anniversary to treasure. The Wigtown Poetry Prizes have come a long way in the past two decades.
“Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of human expression and something to be cherished and encouraged.
“And what is so special about our prizes is that they provide a world-wide platform not just for work connected to Scotland, but for poetry in all our languages, bringing an incredible richness and variety not just to the prizes but to the world of poetry.”
Meanwhile joint 2024 winner Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, above left, said: “Winning the Gaelic Prize in 2017 was a significant boost to my confidence, working in the language and I believe that the competition is significant in challenging our contemporary Gaelic poets to step up and keep refining their craft.
“The international Prize was a dream come true to win, and underscored for me the reality that multilingual writers should aspire to being great writers across all their languages.
The other joint winner, Magi Gibson, right, added: “The Wigtown Poetry Prize is highly respected, not just in Scotland but internationally too.
“More and more people are enthusiastic about poetry these days. At its best it not only connects us to a deeper truth, it soothes the storms of the soul.
The 2025 awards will feature the Wigtown International Prize, Wigtown Scots Prize, the Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize, the Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award and the Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize.
There are cash prizes for the winners. Entries close at noon on May 7, 2025.Wigtown Poetry Prizes Launch 20th Annual Competition
The Wigtown Poetry Prizes have launched their 20th annual competition, continuing their tradition of celebrating and showcasing work in Scotland’s indigenous languages: English, Gaelic, and Scots.
Over the past two decades, the awards have grown into a prestigious literary event, attracting hundreds of entries from around the world. Past judging panels have included prominent figures such as Liz Lochhead, Gerda Stevenson, John Burnside, Rody Gorman, Bill Herbert, Christine De Luca, Aonghas MacNeacail, and John Glenday.
Nicholas Walker, chair of the Wigtown Poetry Prize Group, remarked, “This is a milestone worth celebrating. The Wigtown Poetry Prizes have come a long way in 20 years. Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of human expression, and our prizes offer a global platform not only for work connected to Scotland but for poetry in all languages. This brings a richness and diversity to the world of poetry.”
The prizes continue to attract international recognition. Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, who won the Gaelic Prize in 2017, shared, “Winning the Gaelic Prize was a huge boost to my confidence as a Gaelic poet. The competition challenges contemporary Gaelic poets to keep refining their craft. Winning the international prize was a dream come true, reinforcing the idea that multilingual writers should aim for excellence in all their languages.”
Magi Gibson, the other joint winner, added, “The Wigtown Poetry Prize is respected internationally. Poetry has the power to connect us to deeper truths and soothe our inner struggles.”
The 2025 Wigtown Poetry Prizes will include the Wigtown International Prize, Wigtown Scots Prize, Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize, the Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award, and the Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.
The deadline for submissions is noon on May 7, 2025.
