NURTURING WRITERS & WRITING

"Moniack Mhor is a wonderfully inspiring and regenerative space." "Spending time at Moniack Mhor made such a shift in my writing and my confidence as a writer."
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BURSARY SUPPORT

"Moniack Mhor supports writers from all backgrounds and from all walks of life. Our bursary programme provides access for those who may find fees a barrier to joining a residential or online course or retreat, or taking part in mentoring."
Find out about our Bursary Scheme

Young Writers

"To have someone take my work seriously and help me try and improve was a real confidence boost"
See Opportunities for Young Writers

RESIDENCIES & AWARDS

"The team at Moniack Mhor, with great care and thoughtfulness, have not only created a magical and functional space for the imagination, but also a refuge for genuine human connections.”
Find out about our Residency and Awards Programme

OUR BEGINNINGS

"Come on a journey to 1993: crofting tales linger but now the smell of paint is fresh in the air, the final pictures are being hung on stone walls and there is frantic unpacking of auction house crockery and cutlery. We welcome our first course, led by Liz Lochead, Roger McGough and the late Aonghas MacNeacail"
Read more about Moniack Mhor's story
Moniack Mhor is Scotland’s National Writing Centre. Based in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, we run courses in a range of genres tutored by some of the finest authors in the UK and beyond. With workshops and one to one tutorials, our courses provide an atmosphere to fully immerse yourself in your writing. The centre also offers writing retreats providing time and space, free from distractions, where you will find yourself part of a nurturing writing community. Other support offered by Moniack Mhor includes awards, bursaries, professional residencies to develop works in progress and a programme for young writers.

FIRST STAGES HAWICK WORKSHOP
FIRST STAGES HAWICK WORKSHOP
Join us for the first free workshop of the 2026 FIRST STAGES programme on 29th August in Hawick! Focus on form, melody, lyric and every element that’s involved in making a song. You can be working at any level and no experience is necessary; you don’t need to play an instrument.
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POETRY AND FICTION
POETRY AND FICTION
Start to Write - This course is FREE to attend and open to anyone aged 18-24, living in or from the Highlands and Islands. It is ideal for anyone curious about writing and you don’t have to have any experience – all we ask is that you come with an open mind and a keenness to learn.
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WRITING FOR AUDIO DRAMA
WRITING FOR AUDIO DRAMA
The perfect course for those who want to focus on writing audio dramas with well developed characters and stories. Tutored by Sebastian Baczkiewicz and Sarah Hehir, with guest reader Katie Hims. Sebastian and Sarah will guide you through some practical tips to help you create a character from scratch and set them into a well-structured story.
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SEPTEMBER RETREAT
SEPTEMBER RETREAT
21 – 26 September | The first days of autumn in the Highlands are the perfect time to ponder new ideas and work on your writing.
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ONLINE: NON-FICTION
ONLINE: NON-FICTION
This month-long course tutored by Dan Richards looks at how to write engaging, informative narrative non-fiction that inspires and connects with readers.
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WRITING PLACE
WRITING PLACE
Learn how to bring the essence of place into your writing with Horatio Clare and Monisha Rajesh + guest reader Cal Flyn. This course will immerse you in our local landscape to help you explore how observation and place-based approaches can influence and enrich your non-fiction work.
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