Support us
By supporting our work, you are helping children and adults in Scotland to reach their potential through reading and writing.
Donate nowThe Scottish Book Trust site uses cookies to improve your on site experience. Find out more.
Accept and closeWriting support groups based across Scotland
A writing group can be a brilliant source of support and motivation. If you can't see a group in your local area here, try searching online, getting touch with your library or community centre, or consider setting one up yourself!
If you'd like to add your group to this page, please email andrew.blair@scottishbooktrust.com(this will open in a new window). We need to know when and where your group meets, what you do and how to contact you (either a website or email address). There is a 50 word limit for listings.
Groups are listed under their local authority area.
A Facebook group for writers to share ideas and work.
A longstanding web forum with online writing groups and user feedback.
Website: http://www.writewords.org.uk/
Open Book organise and run weekly shared reading and creative writing sessions for a diverse range of community and public participants across Scotland.
Website: http://openbookreading.com/#events
The SCBWI South East Scotland network holds regular meet-ups and teach-ins, where we swap information on writer’s craft, such as dialogue, character breakdown and plot development. They have regional contacts and events across the country.
Website: https://britishisles.scbwi.org/local-networks/south-east-scotland/
The group meets at 7pm on the last Thursday of each month.
Website: http://www.booksandbeans.co.uk/
Grampian Association of Storytellers (GAS) is a group whereby people from all walks of life come along to listen to stories, and tell stories orally. We organise events, workshops and get-togethers, and provide professional storytellers. GAS meets monthly.
The group meet at 11am on alternate Saturdays.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/lemontreewriters/
Email: info@lemontreewriters.co.uk
The group meet on the third Tuesday of every month.
Website: http://www.deesidewriters.co.uk/
Email: writers@deesidewriters.co.uk
Huntly Writers is open to anyone over the age of 18 years who is, or wants to be, actively engaged in creative writing. We are based in the market town of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where we usually meet on a fortnightly basis.
Website: https://www.huntly-writers.co.uk/
North East Writers is a literature development agency aiming to support, promote and coordinate new writing in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, working in partnership with venues, publishers, writers' groups and individual writers based in the region.
Please email for more information.
Website: http://niluser.wixsite.com/jaywilson/events--workshops
Email: spindriftstudio8b@gmail.com
Angus Writers' circle meets at 7.30pm on the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Rosely Hotel. The programme of meetings includes speakers, workshops and club nights when members read their work and crits are given. Currently not accepting new members due to numbers.
A writing group near Oban looking for flash fiction, poetry and short stories.
Email: lizardvanilla@gmail.com
The Mull and Iona U3A Creative Writing Group meets monthly, usually on Thursday afternoons in Craignure, Isle of Mull. The aim of the group is to improve our writing by critiquing it in a supportive and constructive way. At each meeting we discuss a short piece of writing to starts things off, then read round what each of us has written and comment on it. We welcome new and more experienced writers of poetry or prose.
For more information contact Nancy Somerville via this link
Alloa Writers meet every other Wednesday in the games room of the Station Hotel. One of the aims of the group is to support one another by offering feedback on work brought to meetings, and to encourage each member to develop their skills.
Website: http://www.alloawriters.org.uk/
Email: contact@alloawriters.org.uk
Crichton Writers meet once a month all year round on Thursday mornings on the Crichton Campus, Dumfries. We operate largely as a peer-led group, using the considerable experience acquired over the 18 years the group have had work published and performed.
A friendly and supportive group that is open to writers of all levels and genres, including beginners. The group meets every second Tuesday from 10am to 12 noon at the Townhead Hotel.
Website: https://lockerbiewritersanthology.wordpress.com/
Email: steph25@talktalk.net
A writing group for novelists. This is a small, friendly and supportive group, open to novelists of all genres. Members must be working on a novel, although it could be at any stage from planning to publication. The group meets alternate Tuesdays to Lockerbie Writers at 7.30pm at the King’s Arms Hotel.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1515060758610956/
Email: steph25@talktalk.net
An informal small group run as part of the University of the Third Age. We meet every Thursday in Douglas Community Centre Dundee at 10 am - 12 noon.
Email: mcgeachyliz@gmail.com
The Nethergate Writers meet on the last Wednesday of every month, in the Dalhousie Building at Dundee University. We welcome all types of writers, from those who have been or are hoping to be published to those who just write for their own enjoyment.
Website: http://www.nethergatewriters.org/
We hold regular workshops on material that members bring in and also set tasks at our meetings. These are fortnightly on Tuesdays at the Shortlees Community Centre, 7 - 9pm.
Email: southwestwriters@yahoo.com
An informal group where Authors and prospective authors can share ideas and learn new skills. We meet in the Lennoxtown Library Hub on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month from 1.30 to 3pm from January to June and September to December.
To book a free place please contact Lennoxtown Library.
Email: campsiewritersgroup@gmail.com
Telephone: 0141 7773151
Strathkelvin Writers' Group aims to develop and encourage all forms of writing by its members: fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children's writing.
Website: http://www.strathkelvinwriters.org/
Tyne and Esk Writers comprises of eight writing groups, with around 100 members in total, in Midlothian and East Lothian.
Website: http://tyneandeskwriters.org.uk/
The groups meets at the City of Edinburgh Council's South Neighbourhood Office and Library [Gracemount Library] on Captain's Road every second Tuesday at 10-12pm. It's been going since 2013.
A women only writing group (All women-only events are inclusive of Trans, Intersex women, non-binary and gender fluid people) on the first Saturday of every month at Edinburgh Central Library. It is currently fully booked with a waiting list, so will be readvertised in future when there are spaces.
Website: https://womenslibrary.org.uk/event/connect-create/all/
The group meets at the Tourmalet Bar every Tuesday from 7.30 - 10pm to share, discuss and give criticism. The group is affiliated with The Workers' Educational Association.
Email: johnmccaughie8@gmail.com
The Edinburgh Genre Group is a collaborative, Milford-style writing workshop for published and unpublished Edinburgh writers interested in writing, critiquing and publishing commercial genre fiction.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EdinburghGenreGroup
We are a community of writers in the Edinburgh area and beyond, with an annual programme of competitions, workshops and expert speakers. We meet every second Monday from September to May.
The group is a forum for anyone who is interested in writing, both readers and writers – new and experienced – to come and read their work and receive helpful criticism in a friendly environment.
Website: https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Rogue-Writers-Edinburgh/
A Poetry group who meet on the second Tuesday of each month, 6-8pm at the Scottish Poetry Library (except for August and December).
Email: schoolofpoets@yahoo.co.uk
The Writers' Group meets on the last Wednesday at 7pm in the Studio. All are welcome, from new writers to published authors. Free for Members, £5 per session for non-Members.
A variety of writing groups hold events at the SPL. Please visit their Events page for more information.
A friendly group of non-fiction writers who meet upstairs in the Washbar at the top of the Mound on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30pm.
Email: alex@alexowenhill.co.uk
A poetry group at the WHALE Arts Centre, 11.30am - 1pm on the last Wednesday of the month.
Website: http://www.whalearts.co.uk/event/poetry-scottish-poetry-library/
Free and open to all, this group is run by Health All Round, a charity and community health project. Thursdays 3pm – 4.30pm, at Tynecastle Community Wing.
Email: Rose@healthallround.org.uk
We are a Writers Group open to all no matter what age, gender or ability. Our meetings are held on Thursdays at 1.30 pm to 3.30pm.
Website: http://www.dennywriters.btck.co.uk/
The Circle meet every Tuesday evening in the Greenpark Community Centre, Polmont, at 7.30pm.
A monthly writing group meeting on Saturdays at Gorbals Library.
Website: https://gorbalswrites.wordpress.com/
Email: gorbals.wg@gmail.com
A fortnightly workshop for writers of Science Fiction and/or Fantasy. 7.45pm every second Tuesday.
Website: https://gsfwc.wordpress.com/
Email: glasgowsfwriters@gsfwc.co.uk
A monthly meeting, with feedback and discussion, for writers of prose and poetry who are feminist by belief, although feminist writing is, of course, welcome.
Currently, GLOW runs in iCafe Merchant City on the last Wednesday of every month, at 7pm. GLOW is a group for comic writers. There are no restrictions on demographics or level of experience, and submitting a script is not compulsory to attend. So long as you are interested in writing comics, and in engaging with scripts on the agenda, you're welcome to attend.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Glasgow-League-of-Writers-286466241380171/ Email: glowriters@gmail.com
We meet every second Monday at 7.00pm in Nucleus community rooms, Wick.
Website: http://www.caithnesswriters.org/
A literary group organising writers' events, open mics and writing groups.
Website: https://www.highlandlit.com/
Email: mailbox@highlandlit.com
A co-operative writers group that meets weekly on Tuesday mornings (apart from the school holidays) and offers a warm welcome to anyone who wants to write in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.
Email: eveevans11@btinternet.com
The Café runs once a month from 5pm-6.30pm upstairs in Waterstones, Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Website: https://www.moniackmhor.org.uk/young-writers/words-writing-cafe-workshop/
All welcome. You don’t have to be an accomplished writer to join our club. Our members are all at different stages and levels of writing. So whether your thing is poetry, short stories, writing articles or perhaps novels, please come along.
Website: http://www.greenockwriters.co.uk/
Tyne and Esk Writers comprises of eight writing groups, with around 100 members in total, in Midlothian and East Lothian.
Website: http://tyneandeskwriters.org.uk/
Meets on alternate Wednesday evenings usually in Elgin Library from March to December each year for those who wish to write for pleasure, and perhaps profit. Workshops, competitions, great chat and general support and encouragement to get writing!
Website: https://elginwriters.wordpress.com/
Meets every Tuesday evening, 7-9pm, in the boardroom of the Royal British Legion.
Every Tuesday from 7-9pm at An Lanntair, welcome to anyone over the age of 16. No need to book, just turn up.
Website: https://stornowaywriterscircle.uk/
The Writing Group meets at Taigh Chearsabhagh, usually on the first Saturday of the month from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm. It is a very informal, friendly group of people who want to write for many varied reasons.
Website: https://www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org/arts/poetry-literature/
Largs Writers Group meet every Monday from 10a.m - 12 noon in Largs Library, Allanpark Street.
We are also affiliated with the local poetry group. "Poems & Pints" meet on the second Tuesday of every month, 7 - 9 p.m. in the Waterside Pub, Bath Street
Website: http://www.largswriters.co.uk/
A community group open to all engaging in a number of topics to explore creativity with words. The meetings are weekly - Friday (10-12) at Beattie Library and it is free to join in.
Website: https://scwg.weebly.com/
Email: lee.montgomery2002@gmail.com
We are an informal, friendly group of writers who meet fortnightly to share writing exercises and feedback. The meetings are usually from 6.30pm - 8.30pm on Tuesday evenings.
A writing group with regular events, including critique nights.
The group reviews the draft work of its members and offers constructive criticism and support. Members may act as proof-readers for final drafts going to publication. Membership is by invitation only, please see website for details.
The group meets on Tuesdays from 1.30 - 3.30 pm at the Bargarran Community Centre. We welcome people who are interested to attend our meetings to see if we are what they require.
A warm welcome to both established and beginner writers at 7pm every third Thursday of the month. See website for full details or email for up to date programme.
Website: http://www.borderswritersforum.org.uk/
Email: tony65parkinson@gmail.com
We're a group of writers in various genres and of varying experience who meet together in Kelso, in the Scottish Borders (Scotland). We aim to encourage new writers to publish and improve existing writers' writing.
First Monday of the month at 10:30am-12:30pm.
Lerwick Writers Group meet on the first Tuesday of each month ( except January) at 7.00pm in the Mareel cinema and arts venue (meeting in the foyer beforehand). All forms of writing and levels of experience are welcome.
Unst Writers Group meets once a month at Hamar, Baltasound, usually on a Wednesday evening. You can contact the group through the secretary, Gordon Thomson.
The group meets fortnightly on Thursdays at the Macrobert Centre to discuss and critique submitted work.
Email: helenmwm@gmail.com
The group welcomes new and established writers. There are speakers, workshops and informal read around nights.
Website: http://ayrwritersclub.co.uk/
We are a small group of enthusiasts who enjoy story writing and meet every second Thursday at Troon Library from 4.30 - 6.30 pm. Should you wish further information, please contact Troon Library on 01292 315352 or email.
Email: helenmwm@gmail.com
Meetings take place in Dumbarton Library every Thursday from 1 - 3. We welcome serious writers who are looking to improve their craft by engaging in constructive dialogue on members’ work.
Email: dianadevlin@ymail.com
The group normally meet every second Tuesday to offer advice and support to each other.
Website: http://www.westlothianwriters.org.uk/
Email: WLWriters@gmail.com
By supporting our work, you are helping children and adults in Scotland to reach their potential through reading and writing.
Donate now