Scottish Poetry Library
@byleaveswelive.bsky.social
The Scottish Poetry Library is Scotland's number one poetry resource both online and in bricks and mortar. We're at 5 Crichton's Close, Edinburgh and we're open to the public Monday-Thursday 10am-3pm. Our online HQ is www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk
🔊 ONLINE GUIDE TO SCOTTISH POETS
This research tool on the Scottish Poetry Library website gets updated every two years. After a process of nomination & selection 15 new poets were chosen to be included. Pages for each, including a selection of their work, will be published early in 2026.
This research tool on the Scottish Poetry Library website gets updated every two years. After a process of nomination & selection 15 new poets were chosen to be included. Pages for each, including a selection of their work, will be published early in 2026.
December 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
🔊 ONLINE GUIDE TO SCOTTISH POETS
This research tool on the Scottish Poetry Library website gets updated every two years. After a process of nomination & selection 15 new poets were chosen to be included. Pages for each, including a selection of their work, will be published early in 2026.
This research tool on the Scottish Poetry Library website gets updated every two years. After a process of nomination & selection 15 new poets were chosen to be included. Pages for each, including a selection of their work, will be published early in 2026.
For no particular reason on this bright December day here's Julie McNeill's poem 'Love Street' from her 2023 collection 'Something Small' ◼️◻️◼️
December 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
For no particular reason on this bright December day here's Julie McNeill's poem 'Love Street' from her 2023 collection 'Something Small' ◼️◻️◼️
The Scotsman's Poem of the Week
'Self-Reflection in a Window of the Free Presbyterian Church'' by Alan Gillis
'Self-Reflection in a Window of the Free Presbyterian Church'' by Alan Gillis
December 3, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The Scotsman's Poem of the Week
'Self-Reflection in a Window of the Free Presbyterian Church'' by Alan Gillis
'Self-Reflection in a Window of the Free Presbyterian Church'' by Alan Gillis
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
6. Maria McManus
Poet Maria McManus will chair the event. She co-curated this edition of Poetry Jukebox, is a member of Irish PEN, and Deputy Chair of Poetry Ireland.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
6. Maria McManus
Poet Maria McManus will chair the event. She co-curated this edition of Poetry Jukebox, is a member of Irish PEN, and Deputy Chair of Poetry Ireland.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
December 2, 2025 at 10:15 AM
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
6. Maria McManus
Poet Maria McManus will chair the event. She co-curated this edition of Poetry Jukebox, is a member of Irish PEN, and Deputy Chair of Poetry Ireland.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
6. Maria McManus
Poet Maria McManus will chair the event. She co-curated this edition of Poetry Jukebox, is a member of Irish PEN, and Deputy Chair of Poetry Ireland.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
We’re celebrating #StAndrewsDay by sharing Hamish MacDonald’s poem, “A Minute’s Applause” - a timely paean to our national game on our national day 🏴😇⚽️
November 30, 2025 at 9:21 AM
We’re celebrating #StAndrewsDay by sharing Hamish MacDonald’s poem, “A Minute’s Applause” - a timely paean to our national game on our national day 🏴😇⚽️
We’re celebrating #StAndrewsDay on Sunday by sharing Hamish MacDonald’s poem, “A Minute’s Applause” - a paean to our national game on our national day 🏴😇⚽️
November 28, 2025 at 8:56 AM
We’re celebrating #StAndrewsDay on Sunday by sharing Hamish MacDonald’s poem, “A Minute’s Applause” - a paean to our national game on our national day 🏴😇⚽️
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
5. ANGELINE KING
Angeline King is the author of three novels. Her poems & short stories have been published widely. Angeline has made a significant contribution to Irish and Scottish literature.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
5. ANGELINE KING
Angeline King is the author of three novels. Her poems & short stories have been published widely. Angeline has made a significant contribution to Irish and Scottish literature.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
November 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
5. ANGELINE KING
Angeline King is the author of three novels. Her poems & short stories have been published widely. Angeline has made a significant contribution to Irish and Scottish literature.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
5. ANGELINE KING
Angeline King is the author of three novels. Her poems & short stories have been published widely. Angeline has made a significant contribution to Irish and Scottish literature.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
The Scotsman's Poem of the Week
'The Fitba Multiverse' by Hamish MacDonald
'The Fitba Multiverse' by Hamish MacDonald
November 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The Scotsman's Poem of the Week
'The Fitba Multiverse' by Hamish MacDonald
'The Fitba Multiverse' by Hamish MacDonald
RODDY LUMSDEN
The Roddy Lumsden Archive is now open to the public for consultation at University of Edinburgh. The collection consists of the papers of Scottish poet Roddy Lumsden, dating mostly from his time in Edinburgh from mid-1980s to mid-1990s.
archives.collections.ed.ac.uk/repositories...
The Roddy Lumsden Archive is now open to the public for consultation at University of Edinburgh. The collection consists of the papers of Scottish poet Roddy Lumsden, dating mostly from his time in Edinburgh from mid-1980s to mid-1990s.
archives.collections.ed.ac.uk/repositories...
November 24, 2025 at 10:22 AM
RODDY LUMSDEN
The Roddy Lumsden Archive is now open to the public for consultation at University of Edinburgh. The collection consists of the papers of Scottish poet Roddy Lumsden, dating mostly from his time in Edinburgh from mid-1980s to mid-1990s.
archives.collections.ed.ac.uk/repositories...
The Roddy Lumsden Archive is now open to the public for consultation at University of Edinburgh. The collection consists of the papers of Scottish poet Roddy Lumsden, dating mostly from his time in Edinburgh from mid-1980s to mid-1990s.
archives.collections.ed.ac.uk/repositories...
Congratulations to Tim Craven on winning 2025 Poetry Debut Of The Year at #SaltireBookAwards with 'Good Sons' (Blue Diode Publishing).
November 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Congratulations to Tim Craven on winning 2025 Poetry Debut Of The Year at #SaltireBookAwards with 'Good Sons' (Blue Diode Publishing).
Congratulations to Anthony Vahni Capildeo on winning 2025 Poetry Book Of The Year at #SaltireBookAwards with 'Polkadot Wounds' (Carcanet Press).
November 20, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Congratulations to Anthony Vahni Capildeo on winning 2025 Poetry Book Of The Year at #SaltireBookAwards with 'Polkadot Wounds' (Carcanet Press).
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
4. STEPHEN DORNAN
His collection of poems Tha Jaa Banes was published by Ulster-Scots Academy Press in 2020 and was nominated for Scots Book of the Year at the Scots Language Awards.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
4. STEPHEN DORNAN
His collection of poems Tha Jaa Banes was published by Ulster-Scots Academy Press in 2020 and was nominated for Scots Book of the Year at the Scots Language Awards.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
November 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
4. STEPHEN DORNAN
His collection of poems Tha Jaa Banes was published by Ulster-Scots Academy Press in 2020 and was nominated for Scots Book of the Year at the Scots Language Awards.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
4. STEPHEN DORNAN
His collection of poems Tha Jaa Banes was published by Ulster-Scots Academy Press in 2020 and was nominated for Scots Book of the Year at the Scots Language Awards.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
3. KATHLEEN JAMIE
Scotland's previous Makar! Winner of the Costa and Forward Poetry Prizes and Saltire Book of the Year. Kathleen will be reading and talking about the Poetry Jukebox project.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
3. KATHLEEN JAMIE
Scotland's previous Makar! Winner of the Costa and Forward Poetry Prizes and Saltire Book of the Year. Kathleen will be reading and talking about the Poetry Jukebox project.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
November 18, 2025 at 1:07 PM
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
3. KATHLEEN JAMIE
Scotland's previous Makar! Winner of the Costa and Forward Poetry Prizes and Saltire Book of the Year. Kathleen will be reading and talking about the Poetry Jukebox project.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
3. KATHLEEN JAMIE
Scotland's previous Makar! Winner of the Costa and Forward Poetry Prizes and Saltire Book of the Year. Kathleen will be reading and talking about the Poetry Jukebox project.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
2. PETER MACKAY
Scotland's current Makar! Reading poetry and talking about his involvement with the Poetry Jukebox project.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
2. PETER MACKAY
Scotland's current Makar! Reading poetry and talking about his involvement with the Poetry Jukebox project.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
November 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
2. PETER MACKAY
Scotland's current Makar! Reading poetry and talking about his involvement with the Poetry Jukebox project.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
2. PETER MACKAY
Scotland's current Makar! Reading poetry and talking about his involvement with the Poetry Jukebox project.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
The Scotsman's Poem of the Week
'Sunshine' by Selima Hill
'Sunshine' by Selima Hill
November 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The Scotsman's Poem of the Week
'Sunshine' by Selima Hill
'Sunshine' by Selima Hill
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
1. THE POETRY JUKEBOX
The main attraction! The SPL will host the Poetry Jukebox, home to new recordings of poems responding to the work of Robert Burns and his 18thC contemporaries in Ulster.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/scottish-p...
1. THE POETRY JUKEBOX
The main attraction! The SPL will host the Poetry Jukebox, home to new recordings of poems responding to the work of Robert Burns and his 18thC contemporaries in Ulster.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/scottish-p...
November 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
6 Reasons To Come To The Launch of the Poetry Jukebox
1. THE POETRY JUKEBOX
The main attraction! The SPL will host the Poetry Jukebox, home to new recordings of poems responding to the work of Robert Burns and his 18thC contemporaries in Ulster.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/scottish-p...
1. THE POETRY JUKEBOX
The main attraction! The SPL will host the Poetry Jukebox, home to new recordings of poems responding to the work of Robert Burns and his 18thC contemporaries in Ulster.
Details: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/scottish-p...
BEYOND THE MARGINS
Streetreads are launching “A Place We Can Go”, a poetry zine written and designed by the people who use Streetreads - at Push The Boat Out poetry festival.
Date: 21st Nov, 4pm
Venue: The Pleasance: Upper Hall
MORE ON STREETREADS:
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/streetread...
Streetreads are launching “A Place We Can Go”, a poetry zine written and designed by the people who use Streetreads - at Push The Boat Out poetry festival.
Date: 21st Nov, 4pm
Venue: The Pleasance: Upper Hall
MORE ON STREETREADS:
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/streetread...
November 17, 2025 at 9:49 AM
BEYOND THE MARGINS
Streetreads are launching “A Place We Can Go”, a poetry zine written and designed by the people who use Streetreads - at Push The Boat Out poetry festival.
Date: 21st Nov, 4pm
Venue: The Pleasance: Upper Hall
MORE ON STREETREADS:
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/streetread...
Streetreads are launching “A Place We Can Go”, a poetry zine written and designed by the people who use Streetreads - at Push The Boat Out poetry festival.
Date: 21st Nov, 4pm
Venue: The Pleasance: Upper Hall
MORE ON STREETREADS:
www.edinburghinquirer.co.uk/p/streetread...
Kathleen Jamie and Peter Mackay headline a special event at the Scottish Poetry Library to welcome the Poetry Jukebox to Scotland.
Date: 4 Dec
6.30pm-8pm
Details/Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
Date: 4 Dec
6.30pm-8pm
Details/Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
November 13, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Kathleen Jamie and Peter Mackay headline a special event at the Scottish Poetry Library to welcome the Poetry Jukebox to Scotland.
Date: 4 Dec
6.30pm-8pm
Details/Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
Date: 4 Dec
6.30pm-8pm
Details/Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-juk...
#ScottishPoetryEvents
Tapsalteerie Books Presents...
📖 Stewart Sanderson
📖 Taylor Strickland
Date: Fri 14 Nov, 6.30pm
Venure: Fruitmarket Gallery
Tapsalteerie Books Presents...
📖 Stewart Sanderson
📖 Taylor Strickland
Date: Fri 14 Nov, 6.30pm
Venure: Fruitmarket Gallery
November 11, 2025 at 3:14 PM
#ScottishPoetryEvents
Tapsalteerie Books Presents...
📖 Stewart Sanderson
📖 Taylor Strickland
Date: Fri 14 Nov, 6.30pm
Venure: Fruitmarket Gallery
Tapsalteerie Books Presents...
📖 Stewart Sanderson
📖 Taylor Strickland
Date: Fri 14 Nov, 6.30pm
Venure: Fruitmarket Gallery
The Scotsman’s Poem of the Week
‘Fox’ by Ian Hamilton Finlay
‘Fox’ by Ian Hamilton Finlay
November 10, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The Scotsman’s Poem of the Week
‘Fox’ by Ian Hamilton Finlay
‘Fox’ by Ian Hamilton Finlay
AYE WRITE FESTIVAL
Another Aye Write event this weekend that might appeal to poets: an Open Mic night at the Mitchell Library on Friday 7th Nov orgainsed by the Federation of Writers (Scotland).
FREE although tickets should be booked through Aye Write website (£1.50)
Another Aye Write event this weekend that might appeal to poets: an Open Mic night at the Mitchell Library on Friday 7th Nov orgainsed by the Federation of Writers (Scotland).
FREE although tickets should be booked through Aye Write website (£1.50)
November 6, 2025 at 2:41 PM
AYE WRITE FESTIVAL
Another Aye Write event this weekend that might appeal to poets: an Open Mic night at the Mitchell Library on Friday 7th Nov orgainsed by the Federation of Writers (Scotland).
FREE although tickets should be booked through Aye Write website (£1.50)
Another Aye Write event this weekend that might appeal to poets: an Open Mic night at the Mitchell Library on Friday 7th Nov orgainsed by the Federation of Writers (Scotland).
FREE although tickets should be booked through Aye Write website (£1.50)
SILENT READING CLUB
Excellent. This comes with our approval. Drop in to the SPL for a poetry book and you're ready to read. 📖
Excellent. This comes with our approval. Drop in to the SPL for a poetry book and you're ready to read. 📖
October 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM
SILENT READING CLUB
Excellent. This comes with our approval. Drop in to the SPL for a poetry book and you're ready to read. 📖
Excellent. This comes with our approval. Drop in to the SPL for a poetry book and you're ready to read. 📖
The Scotsman's Poem of the Week
'Scene 4. Lisa Simpson Interrogates the Untranslatability of the Joke' by Juana Adcock.
'Scene 4. Lisa Simpson Interrogates the Untranslatability of the Joke' by Juana Adcock.
October 28, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The Scotsman's Poem of the Week
'Scene 4. Lisa Simpson Interrogates the Untranslatability of the Joke' by Juana Adcock.
'Scene 4. Lisa Simpson Interrogates the Untranslatability of the Joke' by Juana Adcock.
Today is the centenary of Ian Hamilton Finlay: one of Scotland's most innovative poets and artists. In August the SPL collaborated with the Little Sparta Trust for an afternoon of poetry at Little Sparta featuring Christopher Crawford, Nasim Rebecca Asl, Nazaret Ranea & Janette Ayachi #IHFcentenary
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Today is the centenary of Ian Hamilton Finlay: one of Scotland's most innovative poets and artists. In August the SPL collaborated with the Little Sparta Trust for an afternoon of poetry at Little Sparta featuring Christopher Crawford, Nasim Rebecca Asl, Nazaret Ranea & Janette Ayachi #IHFcentenary
HEADS UP!
Last night Isabelle Baafi won the @forwardprizes.bsky.social for Best First Poetry Collection. Congrats, Isabelle.
Today we're putting a brand new Nothing But The Poem podcast online featuring @samueltongue.bsky.social taking an immersive dive into 2 poems by Isabelle Baafi.
Stay tuned!
Last night Isabelle Baafi won the @forwardprizes.bsky.social for Best First Poetry Collection. Congrats, Isabelle.
Today we're putting a brand new Nothing But The Poem podcast online featuring @samueltongue.bsky.social taking an immersive dive into 2 poems by Isabelle Baafi.
Stay tuned!
October 27, 2025 at 11:03 AM
HEADS UP!
Last night Isabelle Baafi won the @forwardprizes.bsky.social for Best First Poetry Collection. Congrats, Isabelle.
Today we're putting a brand new Nothing But The Poem podcast online featuring @samueltongue.bsky.social taking an immersive dive into 2 poems by Isabelle Baafi.
Stay tuned!
Last night Isabelle Baafi won the @forwardprizes.bsky.social for Best First Poetry Collection. Congrats, Isabelle.
Today we're putting a brand new Nothing But The Poem podcast online featuring @samueltongue.bsky.social taking an immersive dive into 2 poems by Isabelle Baafi.
Stay tuned!