The Scottish Wildlife Trust, in association with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, has announced the return of the successful Words of the Wild nature writing competition.
Launching today, the competition – which this year is themed ‘From source to sea’ – invites participants to create original written works about Scotland’s freshwater and marine habitats. Entries can be in the form of poetry, short stories, journalistic articles, essays, letters or even song lyrics and can be written in English, Scots or Gaelic.
An adult and junior winner will be selected for each language, with over £2,000-worth of prizes to be won. Adult prizes include a pair of binoculars from Viking Optical and a selection of nature books from Canongate. Junior prizes include a snorkelling set from Arran Active and a £100 wildlife equipment voucher for NHBS.
The competition judging panel includes notable names from the worlds of literature and conservation, including renowned Scots poet, Len Pennie; Chair of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Dr Kenny Taylor; and former Scots Scriever, Susi Briggs.
Jo Pike, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: “Following a hugely successful competition last year, we’re thrilled to bring back Words of the Wild for 2025. This year we’re focusing on the incredible wildlife and habitats found in and around Scotland’s lochs, rivers and seas. Whether it’s a memorable moment on a riverside walk, an awesome experience at a seabird city or an epic encounter on one of our snorkel trails, we can’t wait to read everyone’s stories.”
The inaugural Words of the Wild competition took place in 2024 to celebrate the Trust’s 60th anniversary and attracted over 500 entries from across the UK. Hannah Murphy from Aberdeen won the Adult category with a short story titled, “Into the Stillness”, which follows a retired man on a journey to realise his long-held dream of photographing a kingfisher. The Junior category winner was 16-year-old Alexandra Yates, whose entry, “Motherhood”, tells of a personal experience with a pine marten in a Scottish forest.
Dr Kenny Taylor, Chair of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Words of the Wild judge, said: “Nature has inspired some of Scotland’s greatest literary creations, from the tim’rous beastie in Rabbie Burns’ “To a Mouse”, to Nan Shepherd’s exploration of the Cairngorms in “The Living Mountain”. Last year’s competition highlighted that this talent and connection to nature is still alive and well in the writers of Scotland, and I’m delighted to be involved once again.”
Competition entries are limited to one per person and can be up to 1,000 words in length. The closing date for submissions is Saturday 12 July and the winners will be announced at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in October.
Donald Smith, Director of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, said: “Nothing touches us more deeply than our experiences of natural life. We have to dig creatively into our powers of language and the gift of storytelling to express them. I am sure that this year’s competition theme ‘From Source to Sea’ will evoke a host of evocative journeys and encounters.“
For more information, including details on how to enter, visit the competition web page.