Wigtown Poetry Prizes
Five awards with a prize pot worth over £4000, celebrating all three of Scotland's languages and supporting emerging talent.
Wigtown Poetry Prizes 2026 will open for entries from 2 February 2026.
Founded in 2005, the Wigtown Poetry Prizes are some of the UK's best-established writing competitions and a launchpad for many writers' careers. The 2025 prizes mark 20 years of Wigtown Poetry Prizes and over £50,000 awarded to emerging and established poets.
Wigtown International Poetry Prize
Winner: £1500
Runner-up: £200
Wigtown Gaelic Poetry Prize
Winner: £500
Runner-up: £200
Supported by The Gaelic Books Council
Wigtown Scots Poetry Prize
Winner: £500
Runner-up: £200
Alastair Reid Pamphlet Prize
Prize: Publication of the winning entry, set by poet Gerry Cambridge
Supported by Dark Horse Magazine
Dumfries & Galloway Fresh Voice Award
Professional support including mentoring by Wigtown Festival Company and a retreat at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre.
Supported by Moniack Mhor
Entries close 6 May 2026
In association with:
The Gaelic Books Council
Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre
Scottish Poetry Library
The Dark Horse Magazine
