How to enter Scottish Wildlife Trust writing competition
The contest, held in association with the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, is now open for entries.
This year, the theme is 'From source to sea' and participants are encouraged to submit original works about Scotland's freshwater and marine habitats.
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Entries can take the form of poetry, short stories, journalistic articles, essays, letters, or even song lyrics, and can be written in English, Scots, or Gaelic.
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."
River woodland (Image: Scottish Wildlife Trust)
The competition will select an adult and junior winner for each language, with more than £2,000 worth of prizes to be won.
Entries are limited to one per person and can be up to 1,000 words in length.
Adult prizes include a pair of binoculars from Viking Optical and a selection of nature books from Canongate, while junior prizes include a snorkelling set from Arran Active and a £100 wildlife equipment voucher for NHBS.
The judging panel features notable names from literature and conservation, including Scots poet Len Pennie, Scottish Wildlife Trust chair Dr Kenny Taylor, and former Scots Scriever Susi Briggs.
The deadline for submissions is Saturday, July 12, with the winners to be announced at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in October.
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Dr Taylor 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."
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.'
More information about the competition, including details on how to enter, can be found on the Scottish Wildlife Trust's website.
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