Record entries for 2026 Wigtown Poetry Prizes revealed
International celebration of Scotland’s indigenous languages
The shortlist has been unveiled for the 21st annual Wigtown Poetry Prizes, with a record 625 entries celebrating poets who write in Scotland's three indigenous languages: English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic.
This year is particularly special as it marks the centenary of Alastair Reid, a notable local writer and poet honoured with a pamphlet prize for collections of 8 to 14 poems.
The competition received over 1,600 poems, and the shortlisted works highlight the international reach, with entries from across Scotland, such as Orkney and Skye, and from countries including Australia, Canada, and Finland.
The winners will be announced at a special event during the Wigtown Book Festival, held in Scotland’s National Book Town from 25th September to 4th October.
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Wigtown Poetry Prize Group Chair, Nicholas Walker, commented:
“It’s a special year for us – marking both the 21st Wigtown Poetry Prizes and the centenary of Alastair Reid who was a great supporter and former patron of the Wigtown Book Festival.
“The prizes were established to nurture poetry in Scotland’s three indigenous languages within our own country across the UK and overseas.
“The number of entries, their global character and the strength of the shortlist suggest that they are succeeding in that ambition.
“We are now looking forward to the book festival, which has a programme rich with poets and poetry, where the winners will be announced.”
The Wigtown Poetry Prizes 2026 Shortlist
Wigtown International Prize (£1,500 for the winner; £200 for the runner-up)
Has the Sensation of Running a Hand over His Own Silhouette - Iain Galbraith
Coal - William Hershaw
Iron - Lorenda Hoza
Politically Correct - Lorenda Hoza
Question for the two apple trees on the M90 - Aileen Angsutorn Lees
The Edge - Damen O'Brien
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Wigtown Gaelic Prize (£500 for the winner; £200 for the runner-up)
Loingeas - Rody Gorman
Dubhaigeann Fhinn - Sgàire Uallas
Mac-ghnìomhara - Sgàire Uallas
A Dhonnchaidh Bhàin Òig - Marcas Mac an Tuairneir
Dolaran - Marcas Mac an Tuairneir
Ud Rochasaas - Marcas Mac an Tuairneir
Wigtown Scots Prize (£500 for the winner; £200 for the runner-up)
Leadhills Miners’ Library - Donald Adamson
Scaitter Day - David Atkinson
Skelf - Ross Crawford
The Seamaw and Saint Brendan - William Hershaw
Baldie McBruce - James King
The Little Cists, Arthur’s Seat - John Stuart-Murray
Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize (Winner: publication of a pamphlet set by Gerry Cambridge)
You Will Never Be as Happy - Mattia Ferrario
Odysseus Picks Up the Bow - Sam Garvan
I Want To Say This Wigtown - Lydia Harris
Alma In The Blue - Maureen Jivani
Finding Persephone - Wes Lea
Show me a picture of what your ex fumbled - Abigail Price
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Dumfries and Galloway Fresh Voice Award (Professional support including mentoring and a retreat at Moniack Mhor)
The Beauty of a House - Kathryn Koromilas
Becoming - Fiona Jessica Lindsay
Wigtown Fresh Voice Poems - John McIntosh
Liquid Braes - Campbell Wilson
The Judges
The judges for the 2026 awards ensure impartiality by evaluating the poems blind, without any knowledge of the writers:
Ruth Padel – Wigtown International Prize
Niall O’Gallagher – Wigtown Gaelic Prize
Rab Wilson – Wigtown Scots Prize
Ruth Padel - Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize
Marjorie Lotfi – Dumfries and Galloway Fresh Voice Award
Book tickets for the reveal of the winners at the Wigtown Book Festival on Friday 2nd October at Bladnoch Distillery.
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