Open courses start on a Monday afternoon and run until early Saturday morning.  Each course is tutored by two experienced writers.  A guest reader makes an appearance mid week, usually on a Wednesday night.  The centre accommodates 16 students as well as the course tutors and mid week guest reader.  Presently there are 6 single rooms at Moniack Mhor, the remaining rooms are twin rooms for sharing.  An evening meal is provided on the first evening, thereafter, the students are usually divided into teams of four and each group prepares an evening meal for the rest of the group on one night only.  All menus and ingredients are provided.  Everyone prepares their own breakfast and lunch.  The atmosphere is relaxed and informal and the directors are on hand to help and host when needed.

There is no prescriptive structure for Arvon courses; however, a loose format is adhered to.  Workshops take place in the mornings and the afternoons are usually devoted to one-to-one tutorials.  All students receive a minimum of one such tutorial from both tutors during the course of the week.  There is time for private writing, walking and relaxation.  Readings from both tutors and guest readers are given in the evenings after supper; these are usually the springboards for lengthy discussions, which often go on into the night.  Friday night is the evening when students can read from their own work, usually something that has been produced during the week's course.

The operation of the Centre is co-ordinated by directors Rachel Humphries and Cynthia Rogerson.  They will be happy to answer your questions and give advice about choice of courses.  The Centre's administrator, Lyndy Batty, will ensure the smooth booking of your course.

For further information, please contact any of the above personnel on 01463 741675. 

Or email: m-mhor@arvonfoundation.org

 2008 Open Courses

Below is a table of Moniack Mhor Arvon courses.  At the time of posting, all courses have some availability, though some are filling up fast.  Please telephone, or e-mail to check course availability.  For more information on the courses, and to download a booking form, go to the Arvon web-site at www.arvonfoundation.org

Please note there are grants available on all of these courses.  If you are interested in coming on a course but can't afford the fees we are here to help.  Teachers receive a grant and all students on a low income/unemployed can qualify. This will be confidential - we want you to come!

Course 3 - Starting to Write - March 24th - 29th: Laura Hird & Des Dillon. Guest Reader: Laura Marney

Course 4 - Writing for Young Adults - March 31st - April 5th: Jamie Jauncey & Cathy MacPhail. Guest Reader: Ian McPherson

Course 25 - Short Fiction - June 9th - 14th: Ali Smith & Jackie Kay. Guest Reader: Maggie o'Farrell

Course 30 - Fiction and Poetry - June 30th - July 5th: Brian McCabe & Diana Hendry. Guest Reader: Susie Maguire

Course 32 - Poetry - July 7th - 12th: John Glenday & Choman Hardie. Guest Reader: Stewart Conn

Course 36 - Travel Writing - July 14th - 19th: Rory Stewart & Mairi Hedderwick. Guest Reader: Nick Thorpe

Course 39 - Advanced Fiction - July 21st - 26th: Alan Bisset & Val McDermid

Course 41 - Writers Retreat

Course 44 - Poetry for Children - Aug 4th - 9th: Carol Ann Duffy & Helen Taylor. Guest Reader: Chrissie Gittins

Course 46 - Work In Progress - Aug 11th - 16th: Colette Paul & Nick Brooks. Guest Reader: Kevin McNeil

Course 50 - Literary Fiction - Aug 18th - 23rd: Zoe Strachan & Angus Dunn. Guest Reader: Dilys Rose

Course 53 - Novel Writing - Aug 25th - 30th: Kirsty Gunn & Meaghan Delahunt. Guest Reader: Lesley Glaister

Course 60 - Film Writing - Sept 8th - 13th: A.L.Kennedy & Gill Dennis. Guest Reader: John Byrne

Course 70 - Life Writing - Oct 13th - 18th: Suchen Christine Lim & Patrick Gale. Guest Reader: Gail Haddock

Course 75 - Starting to Write - Oct 20th - 25th: Barbara Trapido & Gregory Norminton. Guest Reader: Richard Mason