Wigtown Poetry Prizes

29 February 2024
Wigtown poetry prize logo featuring category titles;  International, Gaelic. Scots. Alastair Reid Pamphlet prize and Dumfries and Galloway Fresh Voice Award.

Five awards with a prize pot worth over £4000, celebrating all three of Scotland's languages and supporting emerging talent

Founded in 2005, the Wigtown Poetry Prizes are some of the UK's best established writing competitions and a launchpad for many writers' careers.

Wigtown International Poetry Prize welcomes entries from poets across the world.

Two other awards celebrate the best of Scottish Gaelic and Scots language poetry.

The Fresh Voice Award acknowledges a rising talent in Dumfries & Galloway.

The pamphlet prize, named in memory of Alastair Reid - local poet and one of Scotland's foremost literary figures - offers publication of a poetry pamphlet.


Wigtown International Poetry Prize: £1500

Runner-up: £200 Wigtown

Wigtown Scots Poetry Prize: £500

Runner-up: £200

Supported by Saltire Society

Wigtown Scottish Gaelic Prize: £500

Runner-up: £200

Supported by The Gaelic Books Council

Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award

Professional support including mentoring by Wigtown Festival Company and a retreat at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.


Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize

Publication of the winning entry, set by poet Gerry Cambridge


Invitation to Read at StAnza 2023

A winner of one or more categories will be selected at the discretion of StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival and Wigtown Festival Company

Entries close 6 May 2024

In association with:

The Gaelic Books Council

Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre

Saltire Society

Scottish Poetry Library

StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival