What We Do
As well as the annual Wigtown Book Festival, we deliver a programme of literature development activities across Dumfries & Galloway.
We develop new audiences, help writers fulfil their potential, support the region’s literature sector and create opportunities for young people to enjoy and learn through writing and storytelling.
This area of the website is being redeveloped and will soon show our projects in more detail. Find a summary of our current projects and partnerships below.
Summary of projects
Wigtown Book Festival
Our flagship 10-day, 250-plus event
Wigtown YA
The largest YA festival of its kind in the UK!
Education Programme
Bringing more than 2,000 pupils each year to Wigtown Book Festival
Spot Lit
A two-year EU funded project supporting businesses to find new approaches to literary tourism
Big DoG
A new children’s book festival for Dumfries launched in April 2017
Big Bang
A mini science festival for Wigtown
Regional Mentoring Scheme
One-to-one support for six writers annually in D&G, including adults and young people
Wigtown Poetry Prize
Scotland’s national poetry competition
Galloway Writers’ Room
A central website for writers and readers in D&G www.gallowaywritersroom.co...
Writers’ Gathering D&G
Annual conference for regional writers
Hooked!
A day-conference for young writers in D&G
Open Book D&G
Project to create sustainable shared reading group for disadvantaged and vulnerable adults
Southlight Magazine
A writing magazine for D&G www.southlight.ukwriter...
Cultural Tourism Development Project
Two-year EU-funded project piloting new ways to encourage tourism in Scotland’s Book Town
Give Voice
Storytelling in care homes for the elderly
Prison Festival @ HMP Dumfries
10 sessions during Wigtown Book Festival
CPD Storytelling for Librarians
3 sessions delivered annually
Arts Award
Twenty five young people gain recognition each year
The Open Book
A Wigtown bookshop holiday experience

This tiny place in deepest Galloway stands on the brink of a bold new era... The [festival] has become a must attend event in Scotland’s cultural calendar.
Mike Wade, The Times