Wigtown Poetry Prize

Scotland's International Poetry Prize was founded in 2005, and is regarded as one of the UK's best-established writing competitions and a launchpad for many writers' careers. Now refreshed and rebranded as the Wigtown Poetry Prize, entries are being accepted for our 2021 competition.

Entries are accepted from poets writing in English wherever they may live. Separate categories celebrate the best of Scottish Gaelic and Scots language poetry, a special category acknowledges a rising talent in Dumfries & Galloway, and a pamphlet prize is named in memory of Alastair Reid - born in Galloway and one of Scotland's most respected poets. For more information on how to enter, please visit the dedicated Wigtown Poetry Prize website.

If you missed our launch event on 25 February, please don't worry.  You can still catch it on our YouTube channel until 31 May 2021 here.

We are joined by the judges from each category who offer inspiration and encouragement to anyone that wishes to enter.  The event also gives information about the Prize categories and a beautiful musical interlude by Sandy NicDhòmhnaill Jones.  We are delighted to also be joined by last year's Prize judges who give an insight into their judging processes and entertain us by reading some of their own work.