Letter to Glasgow 2025

Posted on 23 June 2025 in Latest News

 
A bird, a tree, a bell and a fish. This year we’re asking you to write a Letter to Glasgow involving these images associated with the story of the city.

Perhaps you’ll draw inspiration from the story of St Mungo and the robin, or you may have a completely different take on how these symbols represent the city in the present day.

There are amazing prizes to be won – £500 for the best letter written by an adult and a chance to have it published in STEALL magazine, and book vouchers and family tickets to a Celtic Connections show for the best letters written by children and young people (under 18).

And if you’re inspired to sing rather than to write a letter, there is also a new competition for a song inspired by the city. Find out about the Song to Glasgow competition here.

Entries should be submitted to [email protected] on or by 26 September 2025 for a chance to win great prizes!

Please read conditions carefully before writing and submitting your letter – see below.

Prizes

(one winner for each category)

Adult (18+): £500
The adult competition winner’s work will be published in STEALL magazine and may also be presented at an event at the Royal National Mòd in Lochaber.

Secondary school: £50 book token, plus family ticket for Celtic Connections 2026.

Primary school: £50 book token, plus family ticket for Celtic Connections 2026.


Rules and Conditions
  • All entries must be in Scottish Gaelic.
  • Entries must be under 500 words for adults, and under 250 words for entrants in primary or secondary school.
  • Entries should be in Word format as a file attached to your email. The email should include your name, home address, telephone number and the competition category (primary school, secondary school or adult), but please don’t include your name or anything that reveals your identity in the letter itself, because all the letters are to be judged anonymously.
  • Winners will be informed by email on 3 October 2025, and the names of the winners will be published on the Glasgow Life and Gaelic Books Council websites thereafter.
  • All applicants to the adult competition must be free to record their letter with our film maker either in person or online on 6 or 7 October.

Letter to Glasgow and Song to Glasgow are run by Glasgow Life and the Gaelic Books Council with the support of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.