Here’s a list of writing competitions and other opportunities which accept submissions in Scottish Gaelic. You can find more information about each opportunity on the websites listed below. See also the monthly 50 Word Fiction competition here.
If we have missed out any opportunities, please email us and we will add them to the list.
Federation of Writers (Scotland): Vernal Equinox Competition 2026
Deadline: Sunday 12 April 2026
Website: Federation of Writers (Scotland)
The Federation of Writers’ annual competition is now open for poetry (up to 40 lines), flash fiction (up to 500 words) and short stories (between 501 & 2000 words) in Gaelic.
There will be a prize of £100 for the first place, and £25/£10 for the second and third places. In addition there will be an opportunity to read your work at the awards event in the summer.
You may write on any subject but your work must be unpublished.
Wigtown Poetry Prize 2026: Call for entries
Deadline: Wednesday 6th May 2026
Website: Wigtown Poetry Prize 2026
Founded in 2005, the Wigtown Poetry Prizes are some of the UK’s best established writing competitions, offering awards in all three of Scotland’s languages: Gaelic, English and Scots. Poems may be on any subject but must not have been previously published, and entrants must be 16 years of age or older. The Gaelic competition has prizes of £500 for the winner and £200 for the runner-up. See website for full terms and conditions.
Glasgow Review of Books: Submissions
Deadline: none
Website: Glasgow Review of Books
The Glasgow Review of Books is an online journal that publishes critical reviews, essays and interviews, as well as writing on translation and accepts work in any of the languages of Scotland – English, Gaelic and Scots. GRB’s main focus is to fill the gap for careful, considered critical writing, however, they also publish original creative work, mostly short fiction, poetry and hybrid/visual forms only in response to specific call-outs or commissions. GRB is always open to book reviews and ideas for books to be reviewed or proposals for critical writing, especially longer-form critical writing. Otherwise, submissions are closed. See website for full terms and conditions.
Bella Caledonia: Submissions
Deadline: none
Website: Bella Caledonia
Bella Caledonia welcomes submissions and pitches for articles. They publish commentary and opinion, book reviews and music, news and analysis. They publish several times daily online, in English, Gaelic and Scots. Submissions should be sent to the editor at [email protected]. See website for further information.
Scottish Books International: Author International Travel Fund
Deadline: none
Website: Scottish Books International
With support from Creative Scotland, this fund has been established by Scottish Books International to support writers who have been invited overseas to promote their work. It aims to (i) increase opportunities for Scottish writers to attend festivals and other promotion or exchange events overseas; (ii) remove barriers for Scottish writers from all backgrounds to take up these opportunities; (iii) develop relationships between Scottish writers and festivals, publishers and organisations overseas. The fund is open to practising, professional Scottish writers with a demonstrable track record of work who have an invitation to attend an event outwith the United Kingdom. A Scottish writer is defined as a writer living and working in Scotland, or a writer from Scotland but based elsewhere. Applications are welcome from the writer themselves, or from the organisation who have invited the writer. Applicants can apply for a maximum of £1,000 to support travel costs towards their trip. See website for further information.
Interpret Magazine: Submissions
Deadline: none
Website: Interpret Magazine
Interpret is Scotland’s new magazine of international literature: open to anyone, anywhere, writing in any language. The magazine is open to any genre or form of poem or short story. Please send no more than six poems or three short stories per submission. The limit for short fiction is 2,500 words. Interpret accepts submissions in any language from anywhere in the world. If you write in a language other than French, Portuguese, Spanish or Italian, your work must be accompanied by a full translation into English. All successful submissions will be published first in their original language, then in English translation. A fee of £10 is offered for published submissions. See website for further information.
