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2416 Mid-April Retreat
Mon 15th Apr - Sat 20th Apr
Fully Booked
Whether you want to energise old work, make space for new work, or simply edit in quiet, you can immerse yourself and your writing in the energy of spring as the landscape around you begins to blossom.
Read more and book your place. -
2464 Online: Moniack in a Month – Non-Fiction: The Twelve-step Roadmap with Puja Changoiwala
Mon 8th Apr - Thu 2nd May
Online Limited Places Available
Conceive, craft and aim to publish your non-fiction stories with award-winning journalist and author, Puja Changoiwala. With guest writer, Cal Flyn.
Read more and book your place. -
2414 Spring Retreat – Week 3 of 3
Mon 1st Apr - Sat 6th Apr
We are dedicating this time of year to the calm of retreats. Join us for the last in our three-week series of spring retreats to give your writing that extra push.
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Club Artysans – Every Thursday
Thu 28th Mar - Thu 19th Dec
A free weekly meet up in Inverness for young people: explore different ways to express yourself through art forms and crafts, have some food, and meet other young people at Cafe Artysans
Read more and book your place. -
2413 Spring Retreat – Week 2 of 3
Mon 25th Mar - Sat 30th Mar
Limited Places Available
As the days draw out, come to Moniack Mhor for a week of undisturbed writing time. Join us for this week only or stay longer for more dedicated writing time during our spring retreat series.
Read more and book your place. -
2490 Online: Fiction Masterclass – Tenses and Tension with Helen Oyeyemi
Fri 22nd Mar
Online
In this two-hour masterclass led by author Helen Oyeyemi, you will discuss and complete writing exercises that address different approaches to maintaining an element of unpredictability in your fiction – whether that’s aimed at the reader or more for self-motivational purposes. Includes a short Q&A.
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Young Writers’ Café with Jem Milton
Thu 21st Mar
Join Jem for an interactive session of creativity and learning, where they share insights on storytelling and comics, and create a piece of art that is uniquely yours.
Read more and book your place. -
2412 Spring Retreat – Week 1 of 3
Mon 18th Mar - Sat 23rd Mar
Limited Places Available
Whilst the natural world wakes up and stretches, join us for an untutored retreat to place your writing at the forefront. Join us for this week only or stay longer for more dedicated writing time during our spring retreat series.
Read more and book your place. -
Poetry Live at Moniack Mhor: SHAEIRAT (شاعرات / poetesses)
Tue 12th Mar
Join us at Moniack Mhor for an evening of live poetry in the Strawbale Studio, with Soukaina Habiballah, Mouna Ouafik, and Sawsan Al Areeqe. This event is part of the Scottish tour of SHAEIRAT, which aims to give voice to marginalised female writers from the Middle East and North Africa.
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2411 Mid-March Retreat
Mon 11th Mar - Sat 16th Mar
See out the last of the winter light and take the time to nurture and expand your writing in this newly programmed March retreat. This retreat also includes an evening reading event, by the fireside in our off-grid Strawbale Studio, with visiting poets from Morocco and Yemen.
Read more and book your place. -
2463 Online: Moniack in Seven and a Half Weeks – Writing Audio Drama with Jessica Dromgoole
Wed 6th Mar - Fri 19th Apr
Online Fully Booked
Make your scripts fly with award-winning audio drama producer and director Jessica Dromgoole. A 7.5-week online course, with guest writers Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Katie Hims.
Read more and book your place. -
2471 Online Guest Writer Event: Fiction – Andrew Greig in conversation with Cynthia Rogerson
Thu 15th Feb
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer Andrew Greig will read from his work and be in conversation with Cynthia Rogerson, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Fiction. Includes a short time for audience questions.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Kirsty Logan
Thu 15th Feb
Join Kirsty for a fun and spooky exploration of how to write horror and supernatural stories.
Read more and book your place. -
2407 Historical Fiction with Margaret Elphinstone and Vicky MacKenzie, Guest Reader S.I. Martin
Mon 12th Feb - Sat 17th Feb
Limited Places Available
Uncover the art of crafting vivid historical fiction – from meticulous research to imaginative leaps into the past.
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2461 Online: Moniack in a Month – Fiction with Cynthia Rogerson
Wed 7th Feb - Thu 29th Feb
Online Fully Booked
Get your fiction writing year off to a flying start with award-winning author Cynthia Rogerson. Suitable for complete beginners as well as any writer who feels they’ve lost their way. With guest reader Andrew Greig.
Read more and book your place. -
2472 Online Guest Writer Event: Short Fiction – Leone Ross in conversation with Yan Ge
Mon 5th Feb
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer Leone Ross will read from her work and be in conversation with Yan Ge, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Short Fiction. There will also be a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
2406 Fiction with Ross Raisin and Kim Sherwood, Guest Reader Ron Butlin
Mon 5th Feb - Sat 10th Feb
Fully Booked
Navigate the final stretch of your novel-writing journey with expert guidance. Our intensive workshop series will equip you with the tools to overcome hurdles, refine your narrative, and reach the triumphant finish line.
Read more and book your place. -
2405 Late January Retreat
Mon 29th Jan - Sat 3rd Feb
Limited Places Available
Amidst snow-draped hills and crackling fireplaces, let the season’s chill invigorate your pen.
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2404 Songwriting with Kathryn Williams and Dan Willson, Guest Reader Louis Abbott
Mon 22nd Jan - Sat 27th Jan
Fully Booked
Unleash your inner songwriter, find your voice, and connect through music in an immersive week of workshops, co-writing sessions, and inspiring performances for all levels of experience.
Read more and book your place. -
2470 Online Guest Writer Event: Poetry – Hollie McNish in conversation with Michael Pedersen
Wed 17th Jan
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer Hollie McNish will read from her work and be in conversation with Michael Pedersen, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Poetry. Includes a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
2403 January Retreat
Mon 15th Jan - Sat 20th Jan
Fully Booked
Join us for a rejuvenating start to the new year, where words flow freely in the Highland air.
Read more and book your place. -
2462 Online: Moniack in a Month – Short Fiction with Yan Ge
Thu 11th Jan - Thu 8th Feb
Online Limited Places Available
Join award-winning bilingual writer Yan Ge online for a month to dive into stories from all over the world and explore the possibilities of short fiction. With guest reader, Leone Ross.
Read more and book your place. -
2460 Online: Moniack in a Month – Poetry with Michael Pedersen
Mon 8th Jan - Wed 31st Jan
Online Fully Booked
Get soppy, sentimental, gallus and gooey with poet Michael Pedersen, exploring love, life, grief and beasts. A 4-week online course, with guest reader Hollie McNish.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Cailean Steed
Thu 14th Dec
Join Cailean as they help you craft the perfect thriller.
Read more and book your place. -
2350 Christmas Retreat
Mon 11th Dec - Sat 16th Dec
Limited Places Available
Forget the festive rush, and come to Moniack Mhor for some writing instead. This could be the perfect gift to yourself – time, space, and the permission to write, with festive treats laid on!
Read more and book your place. -
2349 Tutored Retreat: Fiction with Amanda Smyth and Kevin MacNeil, Guest Reader Jenny Brown
Mon 4th Dec - Sat 9th Dec
Fully Booked
This week-long tutored retreat offers an opportunity to focus intensively on a work-in-progress.
Read more and book your place. -
2348 Poetry with Helen Mort and John Glenday, Guest Reader Marjorie Lotfi
Mon 27th Nov - Sat 2nd Dec
30th Anniversary Fully Booked
Bringing it all together – now that your work has started appearing in magazines and journals, where do you go from here? This intensive tutored retreat will provide support and tailored advice to poets who are ready to put together a first publication.
Read more and book your place. -
2347 November Retreat
Mon 20th Nov - Sat 25th Nov
Limited Places Available
A warm welcome and a well-stoked log fire await you at Moniack Mhor. Whether you want to work on your latest manuscript, play, or poems, this time is yours. Immerse yourself in your work in a supportive environment, away from any distractions.
Read more and book your place. -
2385 Online: Flash Fiction Workshop with Meg Pokrass
Tue 14th Nov
30th Anniversary Online Fully Booked
How do flash fiction writers create dramatic urgency and emotional truth in a few words? In this exercise-driven small-group workshop, Meg Pokrass will focus on what makes a flash story exceptional.
Read more and book your place. -
2346 Short Fiction with A.L. Kennedy and Sean Lusk, Guest Reader Bernard MacLaverty
Mon 13th Nov - Sat 18th Nov
30th Anniversary Fully Booked
Writing that sings relies on a writer undertaking a number of interlinked processes. On this course, you’ll learn practical, dynamic ways to improve your drafts, lift the level of your prose, serve your voice and ask more from your stories.
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Young Writers’ Café with Dan Willson
Thu 9th Nov
Join Dan for the next Young Writers’ Cafe.
Read more and book your place. -
2345 Songwriting with Kris Drever and Michele Stodart, Guest Reader Withered Hand (Dan Willson)
Mon 6th Nov - Sat 11th Nov
Limited Places Available
Dive into this creative week of songwriting, co-writing and explore the possibilities of telling a story through song, connecting words to music and sound, finding your inner voice and creativity.
Read more and book your place. -
Introduction to Creative Writing
Sun 5th Nov
Join Joseph Elliott for an introduction to creative writing! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2344 Life Writing with Amy Liptrot and Horatio Clare, Guest Reader Nancy Campbell
Mon 30th Oct - Sat 4th Nov
Fully Booked
People, Memory and Truth: learn how to write dazzling non-fiction which matters and moves. Tutors Horatio Clare and Amy Liptrot will cover a wide spectrum of techniques that will apply to journalism, memoir, biography, travel and nature writing.
Read more and book your place. -
2369 Online: Moniack in Six Weeks – Nature Writing with Mark Cocker
Wed 25th Oct - Fri 1st Dec
Online Fully Booked
Join multi-award-winning author Mark Cocker online for six weeks exploring the essentials of nature and non-fiction writing
Read more and book your place. -
SOUND AND VISION- RESIDENTIAL
Mon 16th Oct - Fri 20th Oct
Join Graeme Roger, Dave Martin and Ross Carbarns and explore photography, film, sound and projection! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2384 Online: Historical Fiction Masterclass with Sean Lusk
Thu 12th Oct
30th Anniversary Online
In this historical fiction masterclass, Sean will cover how to do your research, how to write real historical characters in new ways, how to invent credible new characters to walk alongside them and discuss how to make language and tone convincing yet fresh.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Jem Milton
Thu 12th Oct
Join Jem for an interactive journey where they demystify the comic-making process.
Read more and book your place. -
MAKING COMICS
Wed 11th Oct
Join Jem Milton for a FREE comic making workshop! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2341 October Retreat
Mon 9th Oct - Sat 14th Oct
Fully Booked
Steep yourself in the rich Highland autumn, and focus on your work in our relaxed and supportive setting. Enjoy space and time to write alongside seasonal food, crisp air, and the company of fellow writers over coffee and cake – perfect for enriching your writing practice.
Read more and book your place. -
2340 NEW – Early October Retreat
Mon 2nd Oct - Sat 7th Oct
Fully Booked
With high demand for our untutored retreats, we have fitted in an extra week of writing space this autumn. Come along to relax in our beautiful surroundings and focus on your writing while we look after you.
Read more and book your place. -
ROLEPLAYING GAMES
Sat 30th Sep - Sun 1st Oct
Join John Moley, Richmond Clements and Rachel Humphries for a FREE gaming day! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2339 End of September Retreat
Mon 25th Sep - Sat 30th Sep
Fully Booked
As the weather begins to turn, let Moniack Mhor be the backdrop to your latest writing project. Have a wander round the garden for a leg stretch, say hello to the Highland cows next door, and look out for the kites circling in the sky!
Read more and book your place. -
DEVELOPING CHARACTER
Sat 23rd Sep
Join Alan Bissett for a FREE workshop learning how to develop characters! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2375 Online Guest Reader event: Writing Science Fiction – Justina Robson
Thu 14th Sep
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, sci-fi writer Justina Robson will read from her work and be in conversation with Ken MacLeod, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Writing Science Fiction. There will also be a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
SHORT STORIES: GETTING STARTED
Thu 14th Sep
Join Alan Bissett for a FREE workshop learning how to start your short story! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2337 Historical Fiction with Shona MacLean and Andrew Miller, Guest Reader Vicky MacKenzie
Mon 11th Sep - Sat 16th Sep
30th Anniversary Fully Booked
At Home in Strange Rooms: Explore how to create a persuasive sense of historical place, create engaging characters, explore approaches research, and find ways to filter historical detail for the ends of your story.
Read more and book your place. -
2374 Online Guest Reader event: Narrative Non-Fiction – Samira Shackle
Thu 7th Sep
Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, writer and reporter Samira Shackle will read from her work and be in conversation with Cal Flyn, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Narrative Non-Fiction. There will also be a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with William Letford
Thu 7th Sep
Join William Letford to explore how sound and shape can be used to alter the form of your poems.
Read more and book your place. -
2365 Online: Moniack in a Month – Writing Science Fiction with Ken MacLeod
Wed 6th Sep - Thu 28th Sep
Online
Join award-winning sci-fi writer Ken MacLeod online for a month of workshops to bring your sci-fi ideas, worlds, and characters to life. With guest reader, Justina Robson.
Read more and book your place. -
2336 Poetry with Hannah Lavery and Joelle Taylor, Guest Reader William Letford
Mon 4th Sep - Sat 9th Sep
Fully Booked
Poetry as Memoir: Join Hannah and Joelle as they show you how to create poetry that is passionate, political, and personal.
Read more and book your place. -
OIL PAINTING
Sat 2nd Sep
Join Allan MacDonald for a FREE oil painting workshop! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2364 Online: Moniack in a Month – Narrative Non-Fiction with Cal Flyn
Tue 29th Aug - Thu 21st Sep
Online Fully Booked
Join award-winning author and journalist Cal Flyn online for a month of workshops as she examines the art of narrative nonfiction. With guest reader, Samira Shackle.
Read more and book your place. -
2335 Tutored Retreat: Crime with Louise Welsh and Abir Mukherjee, Guest Reader Vaseem Khan
Mon 28th Aug - Sat 2nd Sep
Fully Booked
This tutored retreat is an excellent opportunity to get expert feedback on your killer crime stories, with time to write and dedicated support to help you improve your works-in-progress.
Read more and book your place. -
PYROGRAPHY
Wed 23rd Aug
Join Lee Borthwick for a free workshop trying pyrography! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
Moniack Mhor Writers-in-Residence On Tour: Words from Around the World
Thu 10th Aug
Join us for this special evening of words from around the world at the Pier Arts Centre, Stromness – melding Orcadian music with writing, poetry, and performance from Moniack Mhor’s Summer Writers-in-Residence.
Read more and book your place. -
International Cabaret of Words & Music
Fri 4th Aug
You are invited to join us for an exciting evening of international words and music in Inverness!
Writers from West Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Scotland have come together to work with young people through Moniack Mhor’s Young Writers Festival to help them find their creative voice and hone their craft – now you can share in that creative energy at this cabaret of performance from all the participating writers, accompanied by music.
Read more and book your place. -
Nature Writing with Amanda Thomson
Fri 4th Aug
Join writer and visual artist Amanda Thomson in exploring nature writing. You’ll think about nature not in a vacuum, but as something that’s all around us, that impacts on us everyday, from the very personal and local, out into the wider world.
Read more and book your place. -
Poetic Forms with Alycia Pirmohamed
Thu 3rd Aug
Join this workshop with poet Alycia Pirmohamed. It is aimed at generating new work in a variety of poetic forms and you will look at how contemporary poets use linebreaks and space in their work to construct a narrative.
Read more and book your place. -
Workshop with Mariam Al Zarooni
Thu 3rd Aug
Join us for the Young Writers’ Festival workshop with Mariam Alzarooni.
Read more and book your place. -
Performance Poetry with Tolu Agbelusi
Wed 2nd Aug
Join Nigerian British poet, playwright, and artist, Tolu Agbelusi in exploring how to write so that people remember, and how to put power into your performance so that you can own any stage
Read more and book your place. -
Inclusion and Language with Chika Jones
Tue 1st Aug
Join this workshop with Chika Jones to think about ways to include others in their work. You will leave with a better understanding of translation, an improved appreciation for sign language and a renewed interest in inclusivity.
Read more and book your place. -
2382 Online: Fiction Masterclass with James Robertson
Tue 1st Aug
30th Anniversary Online
What is the best way to tell your story? How do you find the right voice, perspective, tone, tense? This 2-hour masterclass is part of a series created in celebration of Moniack Mhor’s 30th anniversary, and includes short writing exercises and space for a Q&A.
Read more and book your place. -
How to Craft a Novel with Heather Parry
Tue 1st Aug
Join fiction writer Heather Parry to turn your initial “what if?” idea into a novel with effective characters, a strong plotline and a hook that really works.
Read more and book your place. -
2383 Online: Critical Reading Masterclass with Kevin MacNeil
Wed 26th Jul
30th Anniversary Online
How do we persuasively share our views when articulating our thoughts on the books we read? This 2-hour masterclass focusing on critical reading, reflecting and reviewing will also include space for discussion and audience questions. Part of a series celebrating Moniack Mhor’s 30th anniversary.
Read more and book your place. -
POETRY
Wed 26th Jul
Join Billy Letford for a poetry workshop aimed at travelling through your own imagination and surprising yourself! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
QUEER VOICES!
Fri 21st Jul
Join Theodore Brogan and Ellenor Cowling for a day of exploring queer voices! Both workshops are FREE and open to all.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Michel Faber
Thu 20th Jul - Tue 1st Aug
Join Michel Faber for our next Young Writers’ Café who will talk you through the rewards, rejections, challenges, weirdnesses and dangers of being a writer.
Read more and book your place. -
2329 Fiction with Kevin MacNeil and Liz Hyder, Guest Reader Michel Faber
Mon 17th Jul - Sat 22nd Jul
30th Anniversary Fully Booked
Push your work-in-progress to the next level in this fun and practical course for novelists – explore dialogue, sensory detail, pacing, and the relationship between fiction and fact.
Read more and book your place. -
SONGWRITING AND STORIES- RESIDENTIAL
Mon 10th Jul - Sat 15th Jul
Join Boo Hewerdine, Emily Barker, John Hegley and Kerry Hudson for a creative adventure in writing songs and stories! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2327 – This week might be Songschool – but leave off the programme launch for now. MG
Mon 3rd Jul - Sat 8th Jul
*Retreat description still required*
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Priscilla Mante
Thu 29th Jun
Join Priscilla Mante to explore how to start your story off strong.
Read more and book your place. -
2326 Writing for Young Adults with Lucy Christopher and Anthony McGowan, Guest Reader Priscilla Mante
Mon 26th Jun - Sat 1st Jul
Fully Booked
Whether you’re new to writing the teenage voice, or already have a YA novel well under way, these experienced, award-winning tutors will guide you through the joys and challenges of finding your teenage voice in your fiction.
Read more and book your place. -
WOODTURNING
Fri 23rd Jun - Sat 24th Jun
Join Angus Clyne to try your hand at woodturning! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
POETRY AND SPOKEN WORD
Thu 15th Jun
Join Hamish MacDonald to try your hand at poetry and spoken word! This taster is offered as part of the Creativity and Care Programme for care experienced young people aged 14-30.
Read more and book your place. -
2373 Online Guest Reader event: Memoir – Graham Morgan
Wed 14th Jun
30th Anniversary Online
In this one-hour online session delivered via Zoom, memoir writer Graham Morgan will read from his work and be in conversation with Catherine Simpson, writer and tutor of Moniack in a Month: Memoir. There will also be a short time for questions from our audience.
Read more and book your place. -
2324 Neurodiverse Writing with Debris Stevenson and Hannah Silva, Guest Reader Harry Josephine Giles
Mon 12th Jun - Sat 17th Jun
30th Anniversary Limited Places Available
This course celebrates open-minded and weird-minded thinkers and writers. Bring a work in progress, a kernel of an idea, or a spark of curiosity and enthusiasm for language.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café – Open Writing Space
Thu 8th Jun
Join us for the new monthly open writing space offering time and space to work on your project.
Read more and book your place. -
2323 Short Course with Alyson Hallet and Sarah Moss
Thu 8th Jun - Sun 11th Jun
Fully Booked
How does place write to us and how might we write in place? In this course we will practice being in, attending to and writing about place in poetry and prose.
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize 2022 Award Ceremony
Tue 6th Jun
Join this year’s Highland Book Prize Shortlisted authors, Ali Smith, Tony Davidson, Duncan Gillies, and Cynthia Rogerson, as we celebrate each of their books with conversation and readings online, before we announce the winner of the Highland Book Prize 2022.
Read more and book your place. -
2363 Online: Moniack in a Month – Memoir with Catherine Simpson
Mon 5th Jun - Wed 28th Jun
Online Fully Booked
Join writer Catherine Simpson online for a month and explore how to shape your own memoir: it’s your story. With guest reader, Graham Morgan.
Read more and book your place. -
2357 Online: Three Seasons of Poetry with Jen Hadfield – Season 3, Ecopoetics
Thu 1st Jun - Fri 21st Jul
30th Anniversary Online Fully Booked
Join poet Jen Hadfield online this summer for ‘Ecopoetics’, the last in her Three Seasons of Poetry exploring different themes and poetic forms.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Leyla Josephine
Thu 25th May
Join Leyla Josephine to explore how your own identity and real life experiences can influence your writing within fiction or autobiographical pieces.
Read more and book your place. -
2381 Online: Memoir Masterclass with Cathy Rentzenbrink
Thu 25th May
Online
This stimulating workshop will offer tools and techniques to help you start turning your life events into a narrative. This 2-hour masterclass is part of a series created in celebration of Moniack Mhor’s 30th anniversary, and includes short writing exercises and space for a Q&A.
Read more and book your place. -
2321 Fiction – Your Work in Progress with Carys Bray and Wyl Menmuir, Guest Reader Sarah Franklin
Mon 22nd May - Sat 27th May
Fully Booked
As spring moves into summer, join Carys Bray and Wyl Menmuir for this tutored course in Fiction.
Read more and book your place. -
2320 Playwriting with Ella Hickson and Al Smith, Guest Reader David Greig
Mon 15th May - Sat 20th May
Fully Booked
In a course aimed at new and developing playwrights, we’ll be discussing structure, form and voice, and focusing on how to apply those concepts to your work.
Read more and book your place. -
2320 Mid-May Retreat
Mon 15th May - Sat 20th May
On Wednesday 17th May, it is exactly 30 years since Moniack Mhor officially opened our doors as a Writers Centre, back in 1993. Join us on an untutored retreat during this very special week.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café – Open Writing Space
Thu 11th May
Join us for the new monthly open writing space offering time and space to work on your project.
Read more and book your place. -
2319 Non-Fiction with Puja Changoiwala and Dan Richards, Guest Reader David Godwin
Mon 8th May - Sat 13th May
Only Twin Rooms Available
Non-fiction takes many forms — be it rigorous journalism, criminal investigations, lyrical travel essays, scientific writing, memoir, or celebrations of culture. How can we create work that matters and connects?
Read more and book your place. -
2390 Life Writing by the Fireside with Cynthia Rogerson
Sun 7th May
How to shape a story from experience, hosted by Cynthia Rogerson. Two-hour in-person workshop held at Moniack Mhor Writers’ Centre.
Read more and book your place. -
2318 Early May Retreat
Mon 1st May - Sat 6th May
Fully Booked
Immerse yourself in the fresh Highland air at Moniack Mhor to release your thoughts and ideas, in the glorious month of May as the evenings become lighter.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Doug Johnstone
Thu 27th Apr
Are you thinking about sources of inspiration for your writing? Crime Writer Doug Johnstone will help you own your story and shape it through editing techniques.
Read more and book your place. -
2317 Starting to Write Crime Fiction with Lilja Sigurðardóttir and Johana Gustawsson, Guest Reader Doug Johnstone
Mon 24th Apr - Sat 29th Apr
Limited Places Available
Do you have a killer idea for a crime novel but don’t know where to start? Join Johana Gustawsson and Lilja Sigurðardóttir for an inspiring week where you will get the know-how to start your crime novel.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café – Open Writing Space
Thu 13th Apr
Join us for the new monthly open writing space offering time and space to work on your project.
Read more and book your place. -
2315 April Retreat
Mon 10th Apr - Sat 15th Apr
Fully Booked
Take some time to recharge and focus on your own writing, in the beautiful springtime scenery here at Moniack Mhor.
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize Longlist Series: Conversation with Tony Davidson
Sat 8th Apr
Join Tony Davidson beside the fire at Kilmorack Gallery for this online event, as he discusses his book, Confessions of a Highland Art Dealer (Woodwose Books), longlisted for the Highland Book Prize 2022.
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize Longlist Events: Poetry Workshop with Lydia Harris
Fri 7th Apr
Highland Book Prize Longlisted poet, Lydia Harris, will be leading a poetry workshop at Orkney Library, exploring how to write poetry from objects private devotion. Hosted in the Orkney Room of the reference library, you will draw on books and objects as a venerable and rich source of ideas.
Read more and book your place. -
2361 Online: Moniack in a Month – Poetry and Dreams with Caroline Bird
Mon 3rd Apr - Thu 27th Apr
Online Fully Booked
Join award-winning poet Caroline Bird online for a month as part of a group of 12 participating writers exploring Poetry and Dreams.
Read more and book your place. -
2314 Fiction with Jane Feaver and Michael Donkor, Guest Reader Guy Gunaratne
Mon 3rd Apr - Sat 8th Apr
Limited Places Available
This course is designed for writers wanting or willing to begin afresh. You might have a project in hand and want to give it new impetus and life, or you might be prepared to start again from scratch.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Carly Brown
Thu 30th Mar
Are you interested in trying out spoken word poetry? Join Scotland’s 2013 National Champion of Slam Poetry, Carly Brown, at our next Young Writers Café and get your voice heard!
Read more and book your place. -
Highland Book Prize Longlist Events: Jennifer Morag Henderson
Thu 30th Mar
Join Jennifer Morag Henderson for this reader event at Waterstones, Inverness, where she will be talking about Daughters of the North: Jean Gordon and Mary, Queen of Scots, longlisted for the Highland Book Prize 2022.
Read more and book your place. -
2313 Poetry with Dean Atta and Nadine Aisha Jassat, Guest Reader Alycia Pirmohamed
Mon 27th Mar - Sat 1st Apr
Limited Places Available
An immersive week of poetry, where you will be guided towards connecting to your voice and exploring the stories you want to tell, while keeping in mind the questions that drive so many of us to the page.
Read more and book your place. -
2312 March Retreat
Mon 20th Mar - Sat 25th Mar
Fully Booked
Join us here at Moniack Mhor in March to nurture the seeds of your creativity and allow your writing to bloom.
Read more and book your place. -
2362 Online: Moniack in Six Weeks – Nature Writing with Mark Cocker
Wed 15th Mar - Fri 21st Apr
Online Fully Booked
Join multi-award-winning author Mark Cocker online for six weeks exploring the essentials of nature and non-fiction writing
Read more and book your place. -
2360 Online: Moniack in a Month – Writing For and About Young People with Jenny Valentine
Mon 13th Mar - Tue 4th Apr
Online Limited Places Available
Join award-winning writer Jenny Valentine online for a month in a group of 12 participating writers exploring how to write for and about young people.
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café – Open Writing Space
Thu 9th Mar
Join us for the new monthly open writing space offering time and space to work on your project.
Read more and book your place. -
ONLINE: Duncan Gillies in conversation with Anne Frater
Tue 7th Mar
Join us online for this special Gaelic Highland Book Prize Longlist event, celebrating Crann-Fige le Donnchadh MacGillÌosa. Duncan will be reading from this Highland Book Prize longlisted collection of short stories, published in both Gaelic and English, and talking to Anne Frater about the book.
Read more and book your place. -
Online Poetry Workshop with Jen Hadfield
Thu 2nd Mar
This online workshop with Jen Hadfield is a special event for supporters of the Moniack Mhor Friends’ Scheme. For more information about the Friends Scheme visit https://www.moniackmhor.org.uk/writers/friends/
Read more and book your place. -
Young Writers’ Café with Kirstin Innes
Thu 23rd Feb
The award-winning writer Kirstin Innes will lead this first Young Writers’ Café for young people in Inverness and surrounding areas.
Read more and book your place. -
2356 Online: Three Seasons of Poetry with Jen Hadfield – Season 2
Tue 14th Feb - Thu 30th Mar
Online Limited Places Available
Join poet Jen Hadfield online this autumn for the second of three seasons of poetry, each exploring different themes and poetic forms.
Read more and book your place. -
2307 February Retreat
Mon 13th Feb - Sat 18th Feb
Fully Booked
Give your writing the time and space it deserves. Join us here at Moniack Mhor to share this beautiful month with other like-minded writers.
Read more and book your place. -
2305 Third January Retreat – Week 3 of 3
Mon 30th Jan - Sat 4th Feb
We are dedicating this time of year to the calm of retreats. Join us for this week only, or stay on from the previous January retreats.
Read more and book your place. -
2355 Online: A Year of Writing with Elizabeth Reeder – Season 4
Wed 25th Jan - Wed 29th Mar
Online Limited Places Available
Elizabeth Reeder’s online course, A Year of Writing, completes its final season, starting on 25 January 2023. New participants also welcome for a 3-month kickstart to your writing year!
Read more and book your place. -
2304 Second January Retreat – Week 2 of 3
Mon 23rd Jan - Sat 28th Jan
While the cold dark weather surrounds us, warm up next to the cosy wood-burning stoves at Moniack Mhor to focus your attention and hone your writing. Join us for this week only, or stay on for the other January retreats.
Read more and book your place. -
2303 First January Retreat – Week 1 of 3
Mon 16th Jan - Sat 21st Jan
Start your year with an untutored retreat at Moniack Mhor and give yourself time and space to focus on your project. Join us for this week only, or stay on for the next January retreats.
Read more and book your place. -
Christmas Retreat
Mon 12th Dec - Sat 17th Dec
Fully Booked
As Christmas approaches, join us for a festive retreat to cosy up to wood-burning stoves and twinkling tree lights as you relax and allow your writing to take centre stage.
Read more and book your place. -
Early December Retreat
Mon 5th Dec - Sat 10th Dec
Fully Booked
Don your jumpers and join us here on the hill for some guilt-free time to read, reflect and write before the Christmas rush.
Read more and book your place. -
Eco-poetics with Jen Hadfield and James Goodman, Guest visit from Guillemot Press
Mon 28th Nov - Sat 3rd Dec
Limited Places Available
We’ll explore ideas of home, where human meets wild, and the wild in us, poetic strategies for processing loss and fear, and universal and overwhelming experience.
Read more and book your place. -
Songwriting with Kenny Anderson & Emily Barker, Guest Emma Pollock
Mon 21st Nov - Sat 26th Nov
Fully Booked
Join Kenny Anderson, known better under his stage name King Creosote, and Emily Barker for an inspired week in the hills full of song, discussion, writing, imagination and a visit from special guest Emma Pollock.
Read more and book your place. -
Guest Reader Series 2022 – Cathy Rentzenbrink
Thu 17th Nov
Online
In this one-hour session delivered via Zoom, Cathy Rentzenbrink will read from her bestselling books and discuss memoir writing with her audience
Read more and book your place. -
Memoir with Chitra Ramaswamy & Colin Grant, Guest Reader (via Zoom link): Cathy Rentzenbrink
Mon 14th Nov - Sat 19th Nov
Fully Booked
In this practical and immersive course on the art of writing memoir, Chitra Ramaswamy and Colin Grant will guide you through the process of constructing your story, offering tips and hacks on voice, structure, and what to leave in and take out when telling the story of your life.
Read more and book your place. -
Online: Three Seasons of Poetry with Jen Hadfield
Tue 8th Nov - Thu 22nd Dec
Online Fully Booked
Join poet Jen Hadfield online this autumn for the first of three seasons of poetry, each exploring different themes and poetic forms.
Read more and book your place. -
End of October Retreat
Mon 31st Oct - Sat 5th Nov
Limited Places Available
Give yourself the time and space you need to read, reflect and write – in the beautiful surrounding of Moniack Mhor, with delicious food, beautiful views and like-minded company.
Read more and book your place. -
Gothic Fiction with CJ Cooke & Natasha Pulley, Guest Andrew Michael Hurley
Mon 24th Oct - Sat 29th Oct
Fully Booked
Want to write fiction that sends shivers up the spine? How about mastering the important art of suspension of disbelief? Take your writing to the next level with award-winning gothic novelists CJ and Natasha .
Read more and book your place. -
Emerging Writers’ Tutored Retreat with Childcare with Hannah Lavery, Horatio Clare and Cynthia Rogerson
Mon 17th Oct - Sat 22nd Oct
Fully Booked
In this unique week-long course, dedicated tutors will be on hand to help you with your writing. Childcare support will be provided by the team at Abriachan Forest.
Read more and book your place. -
Tutored Fiction Retreat With Gillian Slovo & Romesh Gunesekera, Guest Jenny Brown
Mon 26th Sep - Sat 1st Oct
Fully Booked
This tutored retreat, most suited to people who have a work in progress, will give you time to write and meet with fellow writers, and also time to discuss your ideas with Gillian and Romesh.
Read more and book your place. -
Autumn Solstice Retreat
Mon 19th Sep - Sat 24th Sep
Fully Booked
Join us for an uninterruped writing week at Moniack Mhor during the Autumn Solstice light. Take the time and space you need to get your thoughts going and your words flowing.
Read more and book your place. -
Online: A Year of Writing with Elizabeth Reeder – Term 3
Wed 14th Sep - Wed 21st Dec
Online Fully Booked
Elizabeth Reeder’s online course, A Year of Writing, continues throughout this year and the third term begins on 14 September.
Read more and book your place. -
Spirit Advocacy Workshop: Writing Place with Jen Hadfield
Mon 5th Sep
Partnership Course
On Monday 5th September we are hosting the fourth of five special writing workshops, Writing about Place with Jen Hadfield, delivered in collaboration with Spirit Advocacy and HUG: Action for Mental Health.
Tutored by poet Aoife Lyall this two hour workshop will open up the world of poetry, using the HUG project as a springboard to creative expression.
Read more and book your place. -
Life Writing with Richard Skinner & Vesna Goldsworthy, Guest Rupert Thomson
Mon 5th Sep - Sat 10th Sep
Limited Places Available
The genre of life writing is bigger and broader than ever. This course will look at the many and diverse ways you can write about your life or other peoples’.
Read more and book your place. -
Essay / Non-Fiction with Tabitha Lasley & Peter Ross, Guest Gavin Francis
Mon 29th Aug - Sat 3rd Sep
Limited Places Available
The essay is a broad and rich literary form that can articulate and explore ideas, experiences, emotions and the everyday. This course will cover a range of techniques and issues, drawing upon examples of fine work from across decades.
Read more and book your place. -
August Retreat
Mon 15th Aug - Sat 20th Aug
Fully Booked
Think, reflect and write from Monday to Saturday and give your work-in-the-progress the attention it deserves.
Read more and book your place. -
Songwriting with Boo Hewerdine & Findlay Napier, Guest Jenny Sturgeon
Mon 8th Aug - Sat 13th Aug
Fully Booked
Findlay Napier and Boo Hewerdine write songs from observations and real life experience. During this week long course, you too, can learn the power of turning narrative into song. You’ll spend the week honing your writing skills, starting from the very basics to well-crafted, finished pieces.
Read more and book your place. -
MIAM Online: Short Story with Cynan Jones
Tue 2nd Aug - Fri 26th Aug
Online Fully Booked
Inspired to write but not sure where to begin? Or perhaps you’ve lost momentum with a work-in-progress. This online course will give you the tools and motivation to tackle a story head on and develop your own piece of short fiction, with regular workshops over the course of a month.
Read more and book your place. -
Professional Writers’ Retreat with Childcare
Mon 1st Aug - Sat 6th Aug
This year, we are delighted to offer a retreat with childcare. With summer in full swing, we want to offer writers with caring responsibilities to be able to have the space and time to think and write.
Read more and book your place. -
Spirit Advocacy Workshop: Online Comedy Writing with A.L. Kennedy
Thu 28th Jul
Online Partnership Course
On Thursday 28th July we are hosting the third of five special writing workshops, delivered in collaboration with Spirit Advocacy and HUG: Action for Mental Health.
Tutored by A.L. Kennedy this two hour workshop will open up the world of comedy writing, using the HUG project as a springboard to creative expression.
Read more and book your place. -
Picture Books: Where Imagery and Stories Meet, with David Melling & Vivian French, Guest Ross Collins
Mon 25th Jul - Sat 30th Jul
Limited Places Available
Believable characters, a strong story, emotion, continuity and settings are all important when creating a picture book for children. This course will give you tips, techniques, professional advice and encourage experimentation.
Read more and book your place. -
Fiction: Experimentation and Getting (back) to the Writing with Elizabeth Reeder & Beatrice Hitchman, Guest Mahsuda Snaith
Mon 18th Jul - Sat 23rd Jul
Fully Booked
Wherever you are in your Fiction project, this course will help you take small (or maybe bold) steps to generate ideas, connections and energy and to love the writing (again).
Read more and book your place. -
Poetry: Where Do Poems Come From? with Katharine Towers & Niall Campbell, Guest Jen Hadfield
Mon 11th Jul - Sat 16th Jul
Fully Booked
Katharine and Niall will share their writing experience and help you find strategies to write your truth and make it compelling to the reader.
Read more and book your place. -
Spirit Advocacy Workshop: Poetry with Aoife Lyall
Thu 30th Jun
Partnership Course
On Thursday 30th June we are hosting the second of five special writing workshops, delivered in collaboration with Spirit Advocacy and HUG: Action for Mental Health.
Tutored by poet Aoife Lyall this two hour workshop will open up the world of poetry, using the HUG project as a springboard to creative expression.
Read more and book your place. -
Writing and Walking with Madeleine Bunting & Chris Stewart, Guest Neil Ansell
Mon 27th Jun - Sat 2nd Jul
Limited Places Available
Taking advantage of Moniack Mhor’s beautiful setting, this course will take you out into the hills and glens around the centre, using the landscape and local history to inspire some great new writing.
Read more and book your place. -
Midsummer Retreat
Mon 20th Jun - Sat 25th Jun
Limited Places Available
Long, light nights here in the Highlands in the middle of summer create a wonderfully energised atmosphere for reflection and writing. Immerse yourself in the bright hills of Moniack Mhor and make the most of the summer solstice.
Read more and book your place. -
Fiction: Find Your Way Through Your Novel with Ajay Close & James Robertson, Guest Ewan Morrison
Mon 6th Jun - Sat 11th Jun
Limited Places Available
Do you have a novel in your head but not much of it down on paper yet? Or do you have plenty of words but you’re losing sight of the compelling novel you set out to write? This course will help you get back on track.
Read more and book your place. -
May Retreat
Mon 30th May - Sat 4th Jun
Limited Places Available
As the temperatures become more mild, head to the hills to take stock of your work and refocus your writing.
Read more and book your place. -
Spirit Advocacy Workshop: Short Stories with Cynthia Rogerson
Fri 27th May
Partnership Course
On Friday 27th May we are hosting the first of five special writing workshops, delivered in collaboration with Spirit Advocacy and HUG: Action for Mental Health.
Tutored by writer Cynthia Rogerson this two hour workshop will open up the world of short story writing, using the HUG project as a springboard to creative expression.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE AWARD CEREMONY
Thu 26th May
Online
Join us live online from Moniack Mhor as we celebrate the shortlist for the 2021 Highland Book Prize and announce the winning title. Authors David Alston, Cal Flyn, Jen Hadfield, and Donald S Murray will be reading from their work, alongside live music from Ingrid and Megan Henderson for this celebration of Highland talent and culture.
Read more and book your place. -
Online: A Year of Writing with Elizabeth Reeder – Term 2
Wed 18th May - Wed 24th Aug
Limited Places Available
Elizabeth Reeder’s online course, A Year of Writing, continues throughout this year and as the new term begins on 18th May there are a few spaces available for more writers to join us.
Read more and book your place. -
Crime: Creating Killer Stories with Louise Welsh and Abir Mukherjee, Guest Reader Val McDermid
Mon 16th May - Sat 21st May
Fully Booked
Two of Scotland’s finest crime writers will explore character and plot development, tension-building and research techniques, and support you in developing your work – whatever stage you are at.
Read more and book your place. -
Non-Fiction: Distilling Stories from Life with Cal Flyn & Rory Maclean, guest Dan Richards
Mon 9th May - Sat 14th May
Fully Booked
At the heart of the finest memoirs, histories and travel books is a writer’s passion. Explore your passions, obsessions or memories and to develop your work in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Read more and book your place. -
Poetry: Read, Write and Speak All Things Poetry, with Hollie McNish & Michael Pedersen, Guest Hannah Lavery
Mon 25th Apr - Sat 30th Apr
Fully Booked
This trio of experienced and excitable tutors welcome you to come read, write and speak all things poetry. Suitable for poets of all levels of confidence and craft.
Read more and book your place. -
April Retreat
Mon 18th Apr - Sat 23rd Apr
Fully Booked
With spring in the air, take the time to inject new life and fresh energy into your writing.
Read more and book your place. -
Fiction: From Research to Readership with Sara Sheridan & Polly Clark, Guest Graeme Macrae Burnet
Mon 4th Apr - Sat 9th Apr
Limited Places Available
Polly Clark and Sara Sheridan share their experience as professional writers and explore vital points in the journey from idea to bringing a book to market.
Read more and book your place. -
Live Online International Performance from Moniack Mhor
Wed 23rd Mar
Online
Grab a glass, sit back and relax, and enjoy this unique opportunity to hear readings from our International Residency writers, live from the living room at Moniack Mhor.
Read more and book your place. -
Online Workshop: Neurodiverse Writing with Debris Stevenson
Tue 22nd Mar
Online
The 2022 Jessie Kesson Fellow, hybrid-playwright, dyslexic educator, Grime-poet Debris Stevenson is leading this 2-hour online workshop on writing and neurodiversity. You will work with Debris through the idea that in order to write something brilliant, you might first have to write something terrible!
Read more and book your place. -
Connect and Collaborate Residency Performance in Ullapool
Fri 18th Mar
An exciting group of writers will be performing at The Ceilidh Place in Ullapool on Friday 18th March, for a celebration of international and Scottish words and music, as poets and novelists come together with a local musician for this unique event.
Read more and book your place. -
Writing Workshop for Young LGBTQIA+ Writers with Debris Stevenson
Wed 16th Mar
The 2022 Jessie Kesson Fellow, hybrid-playwright, dyslexic educator, Grime-poet Debris Stevenson is leading this 2-hour workshop for young LGBTQIA+ folk at Velocity Cafe, Inverness.
Read more and book your place. -
Spirit Advocacy Workshop with Sandra Ireland
Tue 15th Mar
Online
Using the work of Robert Burns as a springboard, novelist Sandra Ireland will lead this two-hour online workshop giving participants the opportunity to examine and voice their thoughts around mental health and stigma.
Read more and book your place. -
Connect and Collaborate Residency Performance at The Pier Arts Centre
Sat 5th Mar
Join us at The Pier Arts Centre for a vibrant blend of International and Scottish poetry and music. This event showcases some of the talented writers taking part in Moniack Mhor Writers’ Centre 2022 International Residencies programme, which brings together writers from Nigeria, India, Togo, Canada, and Scotland to develop their work.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: ONLINE WORKSHOP WITH IAIN F. MACLEÒID
Tue 1st Mar
Online
Iain Finlay will lead a 75 minute workshop, where participants will get the chance to apply a number of techniques to developing one of their own ideas. Ideas should be at an early stage of development. As a group, you will discuss, question and interrogate each other’s ideas in a safe space, with the aim of furthering the boundaries of your story’s world.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: DAVID ALSTON IN CONVERSATION WITH JUANITA COX
Fri 25th Feb
Online
Join us online for our fourth and final ‘in conversation’ event of our Longlist Series, celebrating each of the longlisted titles for the 2021 Highland Book Prize. Historian and independent researcher David Alston will discussing his book, Slaves and Highlanders, with Dr Juanita Cox.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: POETRY MORNING WITH GARRY MACKENZIE
Wed 23rd Feb
Online
In our fourth and final Poetry Morning, Garry MacKenzie will be introducing and reading from Ben Dorain: A Conversation with a Mountain, longlisted for the 2021 Highland Book Prize.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: POETRY MORNING WITH CHRISTINE DE LUCA
Wed 16th Feb
Online
Join us for our third online Poetry Morning, where Christine De Luca will introduce and read from her collection VEEVE, longlisted for the 2021 Highland Book Prize.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: DONALD S. MURRAY IN CONVERSATION WITH CATHY MACDONALD
Fri 11th Feb
Online
Join us online for the second in our ‘in conversation’ series. Author Donald S. Murray will be talking to Cathy MacDonald about his book In a Veil of Mist, longlisted for the 2021 Highland Book Prize.
Read more and book your place. -
Online workshop – Adapting from stage to screen with Mark Rosenblatt
Thu 10th Feb
Online
How do you begin to approach transforming stage plays for cinema? How do take the very specific experience
of watching a play and its frequently non-naturalistic conventions, and tell that same story in a more visual medium?
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: POETRY MORNING WITH JEN HADFIELD
Wed 9th Feb
Online
In the second of our online Poetry Mornings, Jen Hadfield will be introducing and reading from her collection The Stone Age, longlisted for the 2021 Highland Book Prize.
Read more and book your place. -
Online: A Year of Writing with Elizabeth Reeder
Wed 9th Feb - Sun 26th Mar
Online
Following the success of Elizabeth’s Reeder’s recent online course, A Season of Writing, we are now broadening the scope of the course to encompass the whole year. Many of the writers who began the course with Elizabeth in the autumn are keen to continue but we are now able to open up the course for some new writers to join us.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: ONLINE WORKSHOP WITH CAL FLYN
Tue 8th Feb
Online
Cal Flyn, the author of Islands of Abandonment, will lead a 90 minute workshop focusing on summoning the character of the built or natural environment. After leading the group in some close reading and analysis (fiction, nonfiction and poetry), she will set short exercises that challenge participants to express more fully the way they relate to the world around them.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: JAY PARINI IN CONVERSATION WITH ROXANI KRYSTALLI
Fri 4th Feb
Online
Join us online for the first of our ‘in conversation’ events. American author Jay Parini will be talking to Roxani Krystalli about his book Borges and Me, longlisted for the 2021 Highland Book Prize.
Read more and book your place. -
2021 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: POETRY MORNING WITH SANDAIDH NICDHÒMHNAILL JONES
Wed 2nd Feb
Online
Listen to Sandaidh NicDhòmhnaill Jones introduce and read from her bilingual collection An Seachdamh Tonn – The Seventh Wave, longlisted for the 2021 Highland Book Prize, in the first of our online Poetry Mornings. This event welcomes both English and Gaelic speakers.
Read more and book your place. -
Songwriting With Boo Hewerdine & Findlay Napier, Guest Jenny Sturgeon
Mon 17th Jan - Sat 22nd Jan
Fully Booked
Findlay Napier and Boo Hewerdine write songs from observations and real life experience. During this week long course, you too, can learn the power of turning narrative into song.
Read more and book your place. -
December Retreat
Mon 13th Dec - Sat 18th Dec
Fully Booked
Spend the end of 2021 at Moniack Mhor beside a toasty wood burner with a mug of tea and your manuscript. We’ll get the mince pies in.
Read more and book your place. -
Fiction with Kate Clanchy and Elizabeth Macneal, Guest A.L. Kennedy
Mon 29th Nov - Sat 4th Dec
Limited Places Available
Have you often wanted to write, but aren’t sure where to begin? Perhaps you don’t yet know what shape you’d like your writing to take, whether that’s poetry, short story, fiction or non-fiction. Whatever stage you’re at, these workshops will tackle the basics of writing in any form, looking at language, imagery, plot and character.
Read more and book your place. -
Gaelic Online Workshop le Ruairidh Maclean: Sgeulachdan nan Gaisgeach
Thu 18th Nov
Online
Bidh an dà bhùth-obrach seo (gach tè uair a thìde) a’ toirt sùil air na sgeulachdan Gàidhlig a lorgar air an làraich-lìn Sgeulachdan nan Gaisgeach. Bidh leasaiche na làraich, an craoladair, ùghdar is sgeulaiche Ruairidh MacIlleathain, a’ mìneachadh a’ chorpais – sgeulachdan de na Fianna agus gaisgich eile à dualchas nan Gàidheal ann an Alba – agus mar a rinn e ath-sgrìobhadh orra airson an dèanamh nas freagarraiche airson Gàidheil an latha an-diugh.
Read more and book your place. -
Poetry With Peter & Ann Sansom, Guest Roseanne Watt
Mon 15th Nov - Sat 20th Nov
Fully Booked
An intensive but very enjoyable course of writing and reading with ‘the best poetry teachers in the world’ (The Guardian). Taking classic and contemporary poems as model and stimulus, we will create perhaps as much as a small pamphlet in just one week. Insightful editorials, informal discussion and entertaining evening reading sessions will make this a truly memorable course.
Read more and book your place. -
Crime With Yrsa Sigurdardóttir & Laura Wilson, Guest Christopher Brookmyre
Mon 8th Nov - Sat 13th Nov
Limited Places Available
How do you a hook a reader’s attention and create suspense? If you already have a criminal idea that you want to put on the page, this course is for you.
Read more and book your place. -
Writing for Young Adults with Melvin Burgess & Patrice Lawrence, Guest Dean Atta
Mon 1st Nov - Sat 6th Nov
Limited Places Available
Are you passionate about writing fiction with young adult protagonists? This week will give you the motivation you need to develop your knowledge and skills.
Read more and book your place. -
MONIACK MHOR ONLINE – NOVEL WRITING: A SEASON OF WRITING WITH ELIZABETH REEDER
Mon 25th Oct - Tue 21st Dec
Online Fully Booked
This course is for anyone who has started or is in the midst of writing a novel and would like to write in a community of writers, learn more about craft and process, set individual goals and get feedback on a synopsis and an extract of your work.
Read more and book your place. -
Fiction With Adam Foulds & Toby Litt, Guest TBC
Mon 25th Oct - Sat 30th Oct
Limited Places Available
This course will help you finish that first draft with workshops and tutorials on plot and character, on sharpening your descriptions, writing scenes and creating distinctive, propulsive, persuasive voices.
Read more and book your place. -
Gaelic Online Workshop with Ruairidh Maclean: Tales of the Fianna
Thu 21st Oct
Online
Improve your Gaelic Fluency through telling Tales of the Fianna. Thoir feabhas air do chuid Gàidhlig tro aithris Sgeulachdan na Fèinne.
Drawing from the corpus of Fianna tales in Scottish Gaelic, tutor Ruairidh Maclean will guide participants through a series of three 1-hour virtual sessions to tell their own 5 minute Gaelic story.
Read more and book your place. -
Poetry With Jen Hadfield and Ryan Van Winkle, Guest Alycia Pirmohamed
Mon 11th Oct - Sat 16th Oct
In this engaging course, you’ll create dozens of new poems and develop a sustainable writing practice. Suitable for poets of all levels of confidence, we’ll offer prompts and exercises guaranteed to get your pen moving and keyboards clicking.
Read more and book your place. -
Fiction/Non-Fiction Tutored Retreat With Michel Faber & Louisa Young, Guest Irenosen Okojie
Mon 4th Oct - Sat 9th Oct
Fully Booked
Come to find your rhythm and your voice, unravel your ideas, craft harmonious developments, and cut away excess noise from prelude to finale so that your work can sing.
Read more and book your place. -
Moniack in a Month – Crime Writing
Thu 30th Sep - Thu 4th Nov
Online
Moniack in a Month – Come Over to the Dark Side: Crime Writing with Karen Campbell What’s on the surface and what lies beneath? Whether it’s prising open closed doors, shattering facades, unearthing secrets or reaching beyond the uniform, crime fiction can be your key to exploring truth, society and what makes us human. From concept to conclusion, we’ll learn about the building blocks and tools you need to write your novel. On this course, we’ll look at developing plot, character, place and pace to make your story sing– plus you’ll get an exclusive ‘Cop Clinic’ – an insider’s guide into what makes the polis tick! Remember, there is light and dark in everyone…
Read more and book your place. -
Playwriting With Amy Rosenthal & Mark Rosenblatt, Guest Ella Hickson
Mon 20th Sep - Sat 25th Sep
In a course aimed at new and developing writers, we’ll look at these questions and more, exploring dramatic structure and how to work it to your advantage, balancing craft with inspiration, and taking your play from first to final draft.
Read more and book your place. -
September Retreat
Mon 13th Sep - Sat 18th Sep
Fully Booked
As the weather begins to turn, let Moniack Mhor be the backdrop to your latest writing project. Have a wander round the garden for a leg stretch, say hello to the Highland cows next door, and look out for the Moniack Mhor hare!
Read more and book your place. -
Early September Retreat
Mon 6th Sep - Sat 11th Sep
Limited Places Available
Enjoy the early autumnal peacefulness in our relaxed setting, perfect for helping you focus on your work. Take time to enjoy the fresh air and views in the company of fellow writers.
Read more and book your place. -
Late August Retreat
Mon 30th Aug - Sat 4th Sep
Limited Places Available
Join us for this last minute retreat at Moniack Mhor and dust away those lockdown cobwebs. In an environment conducive to creativity and in the company of fellow writers, take stock of your project and make real inroads with your work in progress.
Read more and book your place. -
August Retreat
Mon 16th Aug - Sat 21st Aug
Fully Booked
Escape to Moniack Mhor for the last few days of summer to focus on your writing without the distractions of daily life. If inspiration evades you, go looking for it during a lovely long walk in the woods.
Read more and book your place. -
Non-fiction With Laura Barton & Horatio Clare, Guest Robert Davidson
Mon 9th Aug - Sat 14th Aug
This course is aimed at writers of all levels, from beginners to published authors, who wish to hone and develop their non-fiction, be it memoir, biography, travel, life writing, nature or place writing.
Read more and book your place. -
Starting out in Fiction With Karin Altenberg & Andrew Miller, Guest Sally Magnusson
Mon 2nd Aug - Sat 7th Aug
Fully Booked
If you think you have the writing bug but you’re unsure how to get started, Karin and Andrew will guide you through that difficult space between wanting and doing, the ambition and the act.
Read more and book your place. -
Second July Retreat
Mon 19th Jul - Sat 24th Jul
Fully Booked
If you simply want to write, free from distractions, but surrounded by fellow writers, join us for this untutored retreat week. Be it first draft, final edits or simply wanting to get creative – a writing retreat at Moniack Mhor offers you space and time to focus on your work.
Read more and book your place. -
Guest Reader Series 2021 – Blake Morrison
Thu 8th Jul
Online Fully Booked
In this one-hour session delivered via Zoom, which will take the form of a short talk followed by an online discussion with participants, Blake Morrison will read from and discuss his bestselling memoirs, And When Did You Last See Your Father? and Things My Mother Never Told Me. Blake will be in conversation with Kerry Hudson, author of memoir, Lowborn, and tutor of our Moniack Online: Moniack in a Month: Memoir course running throughout the month.
Read more and book your place. -
First July Retreat
Mon 5th Jul - Sat 10th Jul
Fully Booked
If you simply want to write, free from distractions, but surrounded by fellow writers, join us for this untutored retreat week. Be it first draft, final edits or simply wanting to get creative – a writing retreat at Moniack Mhor offers you space and time to focus on your work.
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WORDS – Young Writers’ Online Café
Thu 1st Jul
Online
How do we go about creating complex, engaging characters? How do we keep our readers invested in the characters we create? Join novelist and short story writer Daniel Shand for a series of workshops looking at how to keep characterisation at the heart of your writing practice.
Read more and book your place. -
Moniack in a Month: Starting to Write Your Memoir
Mon 28th Jun - Fri 23rd Jul
Online Fully Booked
Do you have a personal story you’re longing to write? This supportive and friendly online course tutored by writer Kerry Hudson covers character depiction, setting, structure and dialogue and will provide you with the building blocks to start your memoir.
Read more and book your place. -
WORDS – Young Writers’ Online Café
Thu 24th Jun
Online
How do we go about creating complex, engaging characters? How do we keep our readers invested in the characters we create? Join novelist and short short writer Daniel Shand for a series of workshops looking at how to keep characterisation at the heart of your writing practice.
Read more and book your place. -
Guest Reader Series 2021 – Bernard MacLaverty
Wed 2nd Jun
Online
In this one-hour session delivered via Zoom, Bernard MacLaverty will read from ‘The Clinic’ from Matters of Life and Death and his Collected Stories. Writer and tutor of Moniack Mhor Online: Short Story, AL Kennedy will join Bernard in conversation after his reading and there will be time for a short online discussion with the audience.
Read more and book your place. -
Moniack in a Month: The Short Story
Mon 17th May - Fri 11th Jun
Online
Are you passionate about writing short stories? Over the course of four weeks, with the support of acclaimed writer A.L. Kennedy you will develop your knowledge and skills and write a complete short story.
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2020 Highland Book Prize Award Ceremony
Sat 8th May
Online
Join us online as we announce the winner of the 2020 Highland Book Prize. During this final event in the series we will celebrate the four fantastic books shortlisted for the 2020 Highland Book Prize, before we announce the winning book.
Read more and book your place. -
2020 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: JOSEPH ELLIOTT IN CONVERSATION WITH JENNY VALENTINE
Mon 15th Mar
Online
Join us online for an ‘in conversation’ event with YA writers, Joseph Elliott and Jenny Valentine, as they discuss Joseph’s debut novel, The Good Hawk, longlisted for the 2020 Highland Book Prize.
Read more and book your place. -
2020 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES: ROY DENNIS IN CONVERSATION WITH MARK COCKER
Thu 11th Mar
Online
2020 HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE LONGLIST SERIES
Field naturalist Roy Dennis MBE, author of ‘Cottongrass Summer’, joins an online conversation with author Mark Cocker.
Read more and book your place.
