October winners – Adult writers

Congratulations to the winners of our October competition. Feeling inspired? Have a go at this month's prompt.

Adult winner

Leigh Griffiths

At twilight, a bat loops above the garden. It looks like a scrap of night learning to fly. I hold my breath. Midge clouds drift. The bat scribbles through them, neat as cursive. Mum whispers, listen. I hear tiny clicks, like knitting needles, and feel the dark being carefully mended.

Gaelic winner

Andrew Gourlay

Ghabhadh am bodach a chuairt aig an aon àm gach oidhche. Gus an tàinig an ialtag. Ged a chuir e an t-eagal air aig an toiseach, às dèidh seachdain, chuir am bodach an t-ainm Calum Dubh air. Leanadh Calum Dubh e gach oidhche gus an tàinig an geamhradh.

English translation provided by The Gaelic Books Council

The old man would take a walk at the same time every night. Until the bat came. Although it frightened him at first, after a week, the old man named it Black Calum. Black Calum followed him every night until winter came