Writing groups in Scotland (2024)

Table of Contents
Online The Fiction Writers' Club WriteWords Writers' HQ The Commercial Fiction and Non-Fiction Network of Women Nationwide Open Book Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Aberdeen Books and Beans Poetry Group Grampian Association of Storytellers Lemon Tree Writers Aberdeenshire Huntly Writers Mearns Writers North East Writers Spindrift Writers Ythan Writers Angus Angus Writers' Circle Argyll and Bute Add[ed.]ition Clackmannanshire Alloa Writers Dumfries and Galloway Crichton Writers Lockerbie Writers A Novel Approach Dundee Douglas Writers' Group Nethergate Writers East Ayrshire South West Writers Write Here East Dunbartonshire Bearsden Writers Campsie Writers' Group Strathkelvin Writers' Group East Lothian Tyne and Esk Writers All Write Now Edinburgh Captain's Inkwell Connect and Create The Diggers Writers Edinburgh Genre Writers Edinburgh Writers' Club Rogue Writers School of Poets Scottish Arts Club Writers' Group Scottish Poetry Library WHALE Poetry Group Write On! Southside Writers Falkirk Denny Writers Falkirk Writers Circle Fife Fife Writes Buckhaven Writing Group Largo Library Writers Group Glasgow Gorbals Writing Group Glasgow Science Fiction Writers Circle The Glasgow League of Writers (GLOW) Highlands Caithness Writing Group Highland LIT The Pen & I Sunart Writers' Group Words Writing Café Inverclyde Greenock Writers' Club Midlothian Tyne and Esk Writers Moray Elgin Writers' Club ForWORDS (The Forres Writing Group) Na h-Eileanan Siar Stornoway Writers' Circle Uist Writers Group North Ayrshire Largs Writers Stevenston Creative Writing Group North Lanarkshire Airdrie Library Orkney Stromness Writing Group Perth and Kinross Perthshire Writers Renfrewshire Erskine Writers Scottish Borders Borders Writers' Forum Peebles Library Writing Group Shetland Lerwick Writers' Group Unst Writers Group Stirling Callander Writers’ Group Central Poetry Club The Novel Pool South Ayrshire Ayr Writers Club Troon Writers West Lothian West Lothian Writers FAQs References

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Writing support groups based across Scotland

Writing groups in Scotland (1)

A writing group can be a brilliant source of support and motivation. If you can't see a group in your local area here, try searching online, getting touch with your library or community centre, or consider setting one up yourself!

If you prefer to practice writing from the comfort of your own home, there are plenty of online writing workshops and groups to get involved in.

If you'd like to add your group to this page, please email eilidh.akilade@scottishbooktrust.com(this link will open in a new window). We need to know when and where your group meets, what you do and how to contact you (either a website or email address). There is a 50 word limit for listings.

Groups are listed under their local authority area.

Online

The Fiction Writers' Club

A Facebook group for writers to share ideas and work.

The Fiction Writers' Club website

WriteWords

A longstanding web forum with online writing groups and user feedback.

View the WriteWords website

Writers' HQ

A large catalogue of online writing courses, workshops, webinars, events, resources.

Writers' HQ website

The Commercial Fiction and Non-Fiction Network of Women

The Commercial Fiction and Non-Fiction Network of Women is a WhatsApp group for published and aspiring writers of commercial genre fiction, and commercial non-fiction, where we provide each other support, encouragement, and motivation, as well as swap information on the commercial writing scene in Scotland.

Email: drvicki911@gmail.com

Nationwide

Open Book

Open Book organise and run weekly shared reading and creative writing sessions for a diverse range of community and public participants across Scotland.

View Open Book's website

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)

The SCBWI Scotland network holds regular meet-ups and teach-ins, where we swap information on writer’s craft, such as dialogue, character breakdown and plot development. They have regional contacts and events across the country.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) website

Aberdeen

Books and Beans Poetry Group

The group meets at 7pm on the last Thursday of each month.

Visit the Books and Beans Poetry Group website

Email: goodcoffee@booksandbeans.co.uk

Grampian Association of Storytellers

Grampian Association of Storytellers (GAS) is a group whereby people from all walks of life come along to listen to stories, and tell stories orally. We organise events, workshops and get-togethers, and provide professional storytellers. GAS meets monthly.

Visit the Grampian Association of Storytellers website

Lemon Tree Writers

The group meet at 11am on alternate Saturdays.

Visit the Lemon Tree Writers website

Email: info@lemontreewriters.co.uk

Aberdeenshire

Huntly Writers

Huntly Writers is open to anyone over the age of 18 years who is, or wants to be, actively engaged in creative writing. We are based in the market town of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where we usually meet on a fortnightly basis.

(Visit the Huntly Writers website](https://www.huntly-writers.co.uk/)

Mearns Writers

The Mearns Writers are "a dynamic group of story writers, poets, and novelists predominantly based within Aberdeen and its surrounding areas". Welcoming all skill levels and walks of life, the Mearns Writers currently meet once a week every Thursday at 7:00 pm through Zoom meetings, due to lockdown.

Mearns Writers' Facebook

North East Writers

North East Writers is a literature development agency aiming to support, promote and coordinate new writing in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, working in partnership with venues, publishers, writers' groups and individual writers based in the region.

North East Writers' website

Spindrift Writers

Please email for more information.

Spindrift Writers' website

Email: spindriftstudio8b@gmail.com

Ythan Writers

Ythan writers have been meeting for over a decade. They currently meet every Wednesday at 2.30pm - 4.30pm at the Station Hotel in Ellon during school term times. £3.50 entry, includes tea and cake.

Email: dihay2020@outlook.com

Angus

Angus Writers' Circle

Angus Writers' circle meets at 7.30pm on the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Rosely Hotel. The programme of meetings includes speakers, workshops and club nights when members read their work and crits are given. Currently not accepting new members due to numbers.

Email: sandrairelandauthor@yahoo.co.uk

Argyll and Bute

Add[ed.]ition

A writing group near Oban looking for flash fiction, poetry and short stories.

Email: lizardvanilla@gmail.com

Clackmannanshire

Alloa Writers

Alloa Writers meet every other Wednesday in the games room of the Station Hotel. One of the aims of the group is to support one another by offering feedback on work brought to meetings, and to encourage each member to develop their skills.

Alloa Writers' website

Email: contact@alloawriters.org.uk

Dumfries and Galloway

Crichton Writers

Crichton Writers meet once a month all year round on Thursday mornings on the Crichton Campus, Dumfries. We operate largely as a peer-led group, using the considerable experience acquired over the 18 years the group have had work published and performed.

Crichton Writers' website

Lockerbie Writers

A friendly and supportive group that is open to writers of all levels and genres, including beginners. The group meets every second Tuesday from 10am to 12 noon at the Townhead Hotel.

Lockerbie Writers' website

Email: steph25@talktalk.net

A Novel Approach

A friendly and supportive group for writers who are working on a novel or novel-length project. Open to writers of all genres. The group meet on alternate Wednesdays from 7.30pm at the Somerton Hotel, Lockerbie.

Visit A Novel Approach's Facebook

Email: kerrie_mckinnel@hotmail.com

Dundee

Douglas Writers' Group

An informal small group run as part of the University of the Third Age. We meet every Thursday in Douglas Community Centre Dundee at 10 am - 12 noon.

Email: mcgeachyliz@gmail.com

Nethergate Writers

The Nethergate Writers meet on the last Wednesday of every month, in the Dalhousie Building at Dundee University. We welcome all types of writers, from those who have been or are hoping to be published to those who just write for their own enjoyment.

Nethergate Writers' website

East Ayrshire

South West Writers

We hold regular workshops on material that members bring in and also set tasks at our meetings. These are fortnightly from 5 - 7pm on Wednesdays at the Centre Stage Café Bar in Kilmarnock.

Email: southwestwriters@yahoo.com

Write Here

Write Here is a poetry group run by Caroline Johnstone as part of her role as Poet in Residence at Dundonald Castle. It meets on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30, with a break for coffee at the cafe there. Places are limited but if interested please get in touch.

Email: carolinejohnstone@sky.comPhone: 07709408880

East Dunbartonshire

Bearsden Writers

The group meets fortnightly to take forward writing and publishing ventures, meeting alternately in person and on Zoom. Meetings are held on Thursdays: in-person meetings are held in the Burnbrae on Mingavie Road, Bearsden from 10 am to 12pm; online meetings are held from 7pm to 9pm, .

Email Barbara: babs.fergus@ntlworld.com

Campsie Writers' Group

An informal group where Authors and prospective authors can share ideas and learn new skills. We meet in the Lennoxtown Library Hub on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 1.30 to 3pm from January to June and September to December.

To book a free place please contact Lennoxtown Library.

Email: campsiewritersgroup@gmail.com

Telephone: 0141 7773151

Strathkelvin Writers' Group

Strathkelvin Writers' Group aims to develop and encourage all forms of writing by its members: fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children's writing.

Visit the Strathkelvin Writers' Group website

East Lothian

Tyne and Esk Writers

Tyne and Esk Writers comprises of eight writing groups, with around 100 members in total, in Midlothian and East Lothian.

Tyne and Esk Writers' website

All Write Now

All Write Now is an adult writing group for writers of all levels. It takes place the first Monday of the month at 6pm in Haddington Library.

Email: sbrown6@eastlothian.gov.uk

Edinburgh

Captain's Inkwell

The groups meets at Newington Library every second Friday at 2.30pm. Writers of any kind or level welcome.

Email: helenparker049@gmail.com or Newington.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

Connect and Create

A women only writing group (All women-only events are inclusive of Trans, Intersex women, non-binary and gender fluid people) on the first Saturday of every month at Edinburgh Central Library. It is currently fully booked with a waiting list, so will be readvertised in future when there are spaces.

Visit the Connect and Create website

The Diggers Writers

The group meets at the Tourmalet Bar every Tuesday from 7.30 - 10pm to share, discuss and give criticism. The group is affiliated with The Workers' Educational Association.

Email: johnmccaughie8@gmail.com

Edinburgh Genre Writers

The Edinburgh Genre Group is a collaborative, Milford-style writing workshop for published and unpublished Edinburgh writers interested in writing, critiquing and publishing commercial genre fiction.

Visit the Edinburgh Genre Writers website

Edinburgh Writers' Club

We are a community of writers in the Edinburgh area and beyond, with an annual programme of competitions, workshops and expert speakers. We meet every second Monday from September to May.

Edinburgh Writers' Club website

Rogue Writers

The group is a forum for anyone who is interested in writing, both readers and writers – new and experienced – to come and read their work and receive helpful criticism in a friendly environment.

Visit the Rogue Writers website

School of Poets

A Poetry group who meet on the second Tuesday of each month, 6-8pm at the Scottish Poetry Library (except for August and December).

Email: schoolofpoets@yahoo.co.uk

Scottish Arts Club Writers' Group

The Writers' Group meets on the last Wednesday at 7pm in the Studio. All are welcome, from new writers to published authors. Free for Members, £5 per session for non-Members.

Visit the Scottish Art Club Writers' Group

Scottish Poetry Library

A variety of writing groups hold events at the SPL. Please visit their Events page for more information.

The Scottish Poetry Library website

WHALE Poetry Group

A poetry group at the WHALE Arts Centre, 11.30am - 1pm on the last Wednesday of the month.

Visit the WHALE Arts website

Write On!

Free and open to all, this group is run by Health All Round, a charity and community health project. Thursdays 3pm – 4.30pm, at Tynecastle Community Wing.

Email: Rose@healthallround.org.uk

Southside Writers

Helen Boden runs a weekly creative writing group at the Southside Centre, Nicolson St, Edinburgh. They meet on Friday mornings to write on themes that change on a termly basis.

Email: helenboden@talktalk.net

A friendly community for Science Fiction and Fantasy writers of all levels, packed full of resource, writing chat and day to day help.

Edinburgh SFF website

Falkirk

Denny Writers

We are a Writers Group open to all no matter what age, gender or ability. Our meetings are held on Thursdays at 1.30 pm to 3.30pm.

Visit the Denny Writers website

Falkirk Writers Circle

The Circle meet every Tuesday evening in the Greenpark Community Centre, Polmont, at 7.30pm.

The Falkirk Writers Circle website

Fife

Fife Writes

Fife Writes aims to provide opportunities for local writers of all kinds and abilities to improve their writing and to perform in front of live audiences if they wish.

Email: fife.writes@gmail.com

Visit the Fife Writes website

Buckhaven Writing Group

Every Tuesday between 2-4pm at Buckhaven Community Centre. 50p per session.

Largo Library Writers Group

Every Monday, 10am-12pm, at Largo Library. £2 per session, including refreshments.

Visit the Largo Library website

Glasgow

Gorbals Writing Group

A monthly writing group meeting on the first and second Saturday of each month, 10:30 to 11:30.

The sessions take place in the Community Meeting Room at Co-operative Store, 190 Crown Street.

Visit the Gorbals Writing Group website

Email: gorbals.wg@gmail.com

Glasgow Science Fiction Writers Circle

A fortnightly workshop for writers of Science Fiction and/or Fantasy. 7.45pm every second Tuesday.

The Glasgow Science Fiction Writers Circle website

Email: glasgowsfwriters@gsfwc.co.uk

The Glasgow League of Writers (GLOW)

Currently, GLOW runs in iCafe Merchant City on the last Wednesday of every month, at 7pm. GLOW is a group for comic writers. There are no restrictions on demographics or level of experience, and submitting a script is not compulsory to attend. So long as you are interested in writing comics, and in engaging with scripts on the agenda, you're welcome to attend.

The Glasgow League of Writers (GLOW) website

Email: glowriters@gmail.com

Highlands

Caithness Writing Group

We meet every second Monday at 7.00pm in Nethercliff Hotel, Wick.

Visit the Caithness Writing Group website

Highland LIT

A literary group organising writers' events, open mics and writing groups.

Visit the Highland LIT website

Email: highlandlit.com@gmail.com

The Pen & I

A co-operative writers group that meets weekly on Tuesday mornings (apart from the school holidays) and offers a warm welcome to anyone who wants to write in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Email: morag_for@hotmail.com

Sunart Writers' Group

Sunart Writers' Group meets monthly, 3rd Thursday of the month, 7pm, Ardnamurchan Library, Strontian. New members always welcome!

Email: selkiewrite@gmail.com

Words Writing Café

The Café runs once a month from 5pm-6.30pm upstairs in Waterstones, Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Find out more about the Words Writing Cafe

Inverclyde

Greenock Writers' Club

All welcome. You don’t have to be an accomplished writer to join our club. Our members are all at different stages and levels of writing. So whether your thing is poetry, short stories, writing articles or perhaps novels, please come along.

Find out more about the Greenock Writers' Club

Midlothian

Tyne and Esk Writers

Tyne and Esk Writers comprises of eight writing groups, with around 100 members in total, in Midlothian and East Lothian.

Find out more about Tyne and Esk Writers

Moray

Elgin Writers' Club

Meets on alternate Wednesday evenings usually in Elgin Library from March to December each year for those who wish to write for pleasure, and perhaps profit. Workshops, competitions, great chat and general support and encouragement to get writing!

Visit the Elgin Writers' Club Website

ForWORDS (The Forres Writing Group)

Meets every Tuesday evening, 7-9pm, in the boardroom of the Royal British Legion.

Find out more about ForWORDS

Na h-Eileanan Siar

Stornoway Writers' Circle

Every Tuesday from 7-9pm at An Lanntair, welcome to anyone over the age of 16. No need to book, just turn up.

Visit the Stornoway Writers' Circle website

Uist Writers Group

The Writing Group meets at Taigh Chearsabhagh, usually on the first Saturday of the month from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. It is a very informal, friendly group of people who want to write for many varied reasons.

Find out more about the Uist Writers Group

North Ayrshire

Largs Writers

Largs Writers Group meet every Monday from 10a.m - 12 noon in Largs Library, Allanpark Street.

We are also affiliated with the local poetry group. "Poems & Pints" meet on the second Tuesday of every month, 7 - 9 p.m. in the Waterside Pub, Bath Street

Visit the Largs Writers website

Stevenston Creative Writing Group

A community group open to all engaging in a number of topics to explore creativity with words. The meetings are weekly - Friday (10-12) at Beattie Library and it is free to join in.

The Stevenston Creative Writing Group website

Email: lee.montgomery2002@gmail.com

North Lanarkshire

Airdrie Library

Join like-minded wordsmiths to share ideas, work in progress and receive useful tips. The classes are suitable regardless of whether it is the first time you have put pen to paper, or you have been scribing away for years.

Wednesday: 7pm – 8pm at Airdrie Library

Entry fee: £5.00/Concession £4.50

Visit the Airdrie Library website

Contact Caroline Loudon on 01236 856235

Orkney

Stromness Writing Group

We are an informal, friendly group of writers who meet fortnightly to share writing exercises and feedback. The meetings are usually from 6.30pm - 8.30pm on Tuesday evenings.

Visit the Stromness Writing Group's website

Perth and Kinross

Perthshire Writers

A writing group with regular events, including critique nights.

Find out more about the Perthshire Writers

Renfrewshire

Erskine Writers

The group meets on Tuesdays from 1.30 - 3.30 pm at the Bargarran Community Centre. We welcome people who are interested to attend our meetings to see if we are what they require.

Email: http://erskinewriters-uk.blogspot.com/

Scottish Borders

Borders Writers' Forum

A warm welcome to both established and beginner writers at 7pm every third Thursday of the month. See website for full details or email for up to date programme.

Visit the Borders Writers' Forum website

Email: tony65parkinson@gmail.com

Peebles Library Writing Group

First Monday of the month at 10:30am-12:30pm.

Find out more about the Peebles Library Writing Group

Shetland

Lerwick Writers' Group

Lerwick Writers Group meet on the first Tuesday of each month ( except January) at 7.00pm in the Mareel cinema and arts venue (meeting in the foyer beforehand). All forms of writing and levels of experience are welcome.

Email: james.sinclair12@btinternet.com

Unst Writers Group

Unst Writers Group meets once a month at Hamar, Baltasound, usually on a Wednesday evening. You can contact the group through the secretary, Gordon Thomson.

Email: gordonthomson880@btinternet.com

Stirling

Callander Writers’ Group

Callander Writers’ Group is a group of aspiring writers who get together on Tuesday mornings, 10.30-12.30, sometimes via Zoom, but currently meeting in each other’s homes in Callander and surrounding area, to share our writing, and offer each other support, constructive criticism and encouragement.

Email: jenshearer@gmail.com

Central Poetry Club

A Poetry and Spoken Word group for beginners in Central Library in Stirling. It will run on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 5.45pm - 6.45pm.

Email: centralpoetssstirling@gmail.com

The Novel Pool

The group meets fortnightly on Thursdays at the Macrobert Centre to discuss and critique submitted work.

Email: helenmwm@gmail.com

South Ayrshire

Ayr Writers Club

The group welcomes new and established writers. There are speakers, workshops and informal read around nights.

Visit the Ayr Writers Club website

Troon Writers

We are a small group of enthusiasts who enjoy story writing and meet every second Thursday at Troon Library from 4.30 - 6.30 pm. Should you wish further information, please contact Troon Library on 01292 315352.

West Lothian

West Lothian Writers

The group normally meet every second Tuesday to offer advice and support to each other.

Find out more about West Lothian Writers

Email: WLWriters@gmail.com

Writing groups in Scotland (2024)

FAQs

What is the writing group in Edinburgh? ›

The Edinburgh Writers' Club not only provides a forum for that, but helps to underline this city's role as a UNESCO City of Literature.” Welcome to Edinburgh Writers' Club! We are a community of writers in the Edinburgh area and beyond, with an annual programme of competitions, workshops and expert speakers.

How do I find a local writing group? ›

Consider these potential sources: Contact local bookstores and inquire if they host a writing group, or might know of a local writing community. Check-in at the local library, as very often, the librarian has a list of writing groups in the area. Look up local Meetup groups.

Who were the three most well known Scottish writers? ›

Towards the end of the Victorian era a number of Scottish-born authors achieved international reputations, including Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle, J. M. Barrie and George MacDonald. In the twentieth century there was a surge of activity in Scottish literature, known as the Scottish Renaissance.

Are writing groups worth it? ›

There are many positives to joining a writing group. These include: Sharing knowledge on the craft of writing. For example, you might learn how to write a tense action scene, from someone who specializes in that arena.

How do I join the writer's group? ›

“The first thing I would suggest is to find another writer, a group of writers or even two groups of writers if possible – with which to share your work. There is, in my opinion, nothing more valuable than having someone give constructive criticism on your work and the more feedback you can get the better.”

What happens in a writing group? ›

What types of activities will you do during meetings? Options include: goal-setting; writing (including freewriting, prompted writing, and self-directed writing); reading each others' writing; offering feedback and responses to each others' writing; discussing writing and/or feedback.

What are writing groups called? ›

A writing circle is a group of like-minded writers needing support for their work, either through writing peer critiques, workshops or classes, or just encouragement. There are many different types of writing circles or writing groups based on location, style of writing, or format.

What is the oldest writing in Scotland? ›

The monastery where the historic Book of Deer - believed to be the oldest surviving Scottish manuscript - was written has been discovered. The 10th Century manuscript is noted for containing the country's earliest surviving Gaelic writing.

Who is the greatest Scots of all time? ›

Famous Scots
  • Who is the most famous Scottish person? Well, that depends on where your interests lie! ...
  • Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
  • Robert the Bruce.
  • Mary, Queen of Scots.
  • Robert and William Adam.
  • J M Barrie.
  • Thomas Carlyle.
  • Hugh Miller.

Is JK Rowling from Scotland? ›

Growing up in England and Wales, Rowling always had a passion for writing and her idea for Harry Potter emerged during a long train journey in 1990. After moving to Scotland in 1993, Rowling often wrote in Edinburgh cafes, and the city has remained her home ever since.

When to join a writing group? ›

Maybe you have new ideas but can't decide what to write next, or you're working out a pitch, or rewriting something and feel stuck and need help weighing options between storylines or possible “ways in.” A smart group can lend their personal experiences and professional expertise to help you land on the strongest ...

How often should a writers group meet? ›

Meet together often. Most groups seem to work well when they meet weekly. If you try once a month, it can work, but groups that don't meet together regularly will fizzle out. Critiques should be written on the manuscript (either in pen or in a file) so that the author can compile the ideas when finished.

How many people should be in a writers group? ›

Keep your group on the smallish side. I limit my workshops to eight writers plus me, and for a writers group, three to six might be the sweet spot. I've never worked in a group with a designated leader, but some groups do appoint someone to run each session.

What happens at writers groups? ›

Your group is a great place, and hopefully a safe place, to pitch ideas and offer your thoughts on story. This practice will help you better navigate and contribute in a writers room. Group is also a place for you to learn how to give and receive criticism and notes gracefully – a necessary skill in this business.

Why is Edinburgh called City of Literature? ›

Boasting the world's largest literature festival, home to a myriad of bookshops, not to mention the highest concentration of public libraries in Scotland – Edinburgh is a city which celebrates the power of the written word quite unlike any other.

What is a writer to the signet Edinburgh? ›

Writers to the Signet take a special oath before an officer of state, the Keeper of the Signet, signifying a personal commitment to the high standards of competence and integrity through our association with the historic seal of Scotland's kings and queens, known as the Signet.

What is the main newspaper in Edinburgh? ›

The Scotsman is a Scottish compact newspaper and daily news website headquartered in Edinburgh.

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