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About Scotland's Stories

Find out more about Scottish Book Trust's annual writing opportunity, Scotland's Stories.

Please note: Entries for this year's Scotland's Stories opportunity have now closed.

Read Scotland's Stories submissions

Scotland's Stories is an annual writing project which aims to encourage all types of people to share their experiences. Every year we use a different theme to help people write about their lives, their way. The theme for 2025 is Friendship.

When you think of friendship, where does it take you?

To childhood memories? To the people that allowed you to be you? To the person who was there for you when you needed them most?

Friendship is comfort, peace of mind, the knowledge that when we unburden ourselves we won’t be judged. A good friend highlights everything we can be, but reminds us that what we are is already enough.

Whether it’s creating memories with the people that mean the most to us, making new connections that lead us through life’s difficult moments or having a blether with someone you haven’t seen in an age, our friendships are a fundamental part of our lives, deeply connected to our story.

Writing prompts and inspiration

We developed five sub-strands to friendship that we hope will help you start thinking about the story you want to share, and handy writing prompts in English and Gaelic to give you some fun, practical writing exercises that should help develop your ideas.

Formative Friendships (early memories)

The friendships that are deeply connected to our youth. When we found the people that gave us a better sense of who we were, or wanted to be, and set us on our path. These are the moments we return to time and time again, the stories – and people – we find comfort in, always.

“Time doesn't take away from friendship, nor does separation.” ― Tennessee Williams

Try our 'Formative Friendships' writing prompt.

Friends we found in difficult moments

The ones that were there for us when it mattered most. From the person you haven’t heard from in years reaching out to offer their support, meeting someone whose experiences reflect our own or a kind word from a complete stranger. When we share our stories with those around us, we unburden ourselves, finding the strength to keep going or start again.

“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.” ― Helen Keller

Try our 'Friends we found in difficult moments' writing prompt.

Community friendships

The friendships we formed from the causes that are most important to us. Whether that’s advocating for equality, volunteering at a local care home or the monthly nature walk we share with like minded folk, connecting with those around us gives us purpose and reminds us that we’re part of something bigger.

“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” ― A.A. Milne

Try our 'Community friendships' writing prompt.

Unexpected friendships (did we just become best friends?)

Sometimes a friendship can appear from nowhere. We didn’t plan for it, or seek it out, it just happened. And suddenly you’ve connected with someone you feel like you’ve known all your life. Maybe it was after you moved to a brand new place, changed careers or started a new hobby. Instant connections are intoxicating, reinvigorating our lives, giving us renewed enthusiasm or purpose.

“A friend may be waiting behind a stranger's face.” ― Maya Angelou

Try our 'Unexpected friendships' writing prompt.

Friends for life

The people who’ve been with us through it all. The ones we have our own language with, a set of memories that grow more important with each passing year, each milestone, each celebration. These are the people we can rely on to provide perspective, bring some joy or simply listen to us when we need to vent. The ones that don’t demand anything from us. That know who we are – and why we matter.

“Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead Walk beside me… just be my friend” ― Albert Camus

Try our 'Friends for life' writing prompt.

Impact

To be able to showcase these wonderful stories and provide a platform for individuals to grow their confidence, fostering their love of reading and writing, is something we value greatly. We are incredibly lucky to receive such great support year on year, with hundreds of entries coming in from the public. The resulting collection of stories pays tribute to the variety and depth of experience of life in Scotland. You can find out more about the impact of Scotland's Stories from a writer who was included in our 2019 collection, Blether.