Academic Resources
Bibliography of Scottish Literature – a continuously developed bibliography of Scottish literature, established and maintained by the Department of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow
BOSLIT – a University of Glasgow research venture to rescue and secure BOSLIT, a digital bibliography launched during the 1990s and referencing more than 30,000 translations of Scottish texts since the medieval era
The Cambridge History of English and American Literature – an invaluable on-line encyclopaedia, although it should be remembered that it was compiled from 1907 to 1921.
Celtic Studies Association of North America – covering the languages, literature, history, folklore, music, art and archaeology of ancient, medieval and modern Celtic cultures
Centre for Robert Burns Studies – based at the University of Glasgow, the CRBS aims to further research, scholarship and teaching in the area of Robert Burns, his cultural period and related literature
CMSW – the Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing
The Digital Companion to Scottish Literature – a concise introduction to Scottish literature (1500–1900), produced by the staff and students of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Gavin Douglas: The XIII Buiks o Eneados – a free e-text (eBook and PDF) of Gavin Douglas’s Eneados, edited by John Law and Caroline Macafee
ECSSS – Eighteenth-Century Scottish Studies Society
e-Keltoi – an on-line journal of interdisciplinary Celtic studies
Études Écossaises – an annual journal published by the University of Grenoble covering various areas of study relating to Scotland
ESSE – the European Society for the Study of English
Fulbright Scottish Studies Scholar Award – an annual award offered to an outstanding UK professional or academic to undertake lecturing, carry out research relating to Scottish Studies, and develop institutional links with any accredited US institution
Glasgow Review – literary essays (published 1993–96)
HCoS – the Helsinki Corpus of Older Scots
The International Journal of Scottish Literature – an online peer-reviewed journal which aims to develop and circulate international perspectives on Scottish writing (published 2006–13)
International Review of Scottish Studies – published annually by the Centre for Scottish Studies at the University of Guelph, IRSS accepts articles on a range of topics pertaining to Scottish Studies, including, but not limited to, history, literature, religion, and the diaspora.
ISIA – the Irish-Scottish Academic Initiative aims to promote research and scholarship in the fields of Irish and Scottish culture
The Islands Book Trust – a unique collection of books, manuscripts and other material on the history of communities in the islands and other parts of Scotland, available to the public forconsultation and research at Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis
The Journal of Stevenson Studies – an international peer-reviewed journal devoted to Robert Louis Stevenson
Nowe Szkoty – the Scottish Studies Research Group based in the Department of English Language Cultures and Literatures at the University of Gdansk
Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies – based at the University of Aberdeen, the RIISS hosts the AHRC Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and Trity Dublin
SCOTS – Scottish Corpus of Texts and Speech, a large electronic corpus of both written and spoken texts for the languages of Scotland
Scots Education Resources – providing Scots language training courses and manuals for teachers
The Scottish Centre for the Book – based at Edinburgh Napier, the centre develops research and knowledge transfer in publishing, the material book and print culture
Scottish CILT – Scottish Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research
Scottish Chapbook Project – compiling a master database of the 18th- and 19th-century pamphlets known as chapbooks
The Scottish Studies Foundation – encouraging research, both inside and outside universities, in Scottish culture
Scottish Theatre Archive – helping to preserve and promote interest in Scotland’s theatrical heritage, part of the Special Collections Department of the University of Glasgow Library
Scottish Women Poets of the Romantic Period – a definitive database containing 60 volumes of Romantic poetry composed by Scottish women, extensive contemporary critical reviews and numerous scholarly essays
SCROLL – Scottish Cultural Review of Language and Literature, a journal publishing new work in Scottish Studies, with a focus on analysis and reinterpretation of the literature and languages of Scotland, and the cultural contexts that have shaped them
Scottish Poetry Podcasts – a series of podcasts on Scottish poetry for senior school pupils and undergraduates
Scottish Review of Books – quarterly overview of literature in Scotland (last published in 2019)
Scottish Studies and Scots Language blog – the blog for SQA’s Scottish Studies team, with the latest information on Scottish Studies and Scots language in the classroom
Société Française d’Etudes Ecossaises – the French Society for Scottish Studies
The STAR Project – Scottish Transatlantic Relations, an interdisciplinary collaborative venture involving colleagues across the Scottish universities, research libraries and museums, in association with partners in North America and the Caribbean
STARN – Scots Teaching And Research Network – an excellent source of commentary, criticism and electronic texts
The Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry – based at Queen’s University Belfast, the Centre hosts audio recordings of numerous poets reading their work, including Douglas Dunn, Alan Gillis, Kathleen Jamie, Liz Lochhead, Peter Mackay, Iain S Macpherson, and Christopher Whyte
The Society for Scottish Studies in Europe – promoting Scottish studies in research and teaching acts Europe
Studies in Scottish Literature – a hardback annual, containing scholarly essays on all aspects of
Scottish literature. See also Studies in Scottish Literature digital archive
SUISS – Scottish Universities’ International Summer School
Tocher – a bi-annual publication containing transcriptions of stories and legends in English, Scots and Gaelic
Literary Events
A Write Highland Hoolie – Mallaig Book Festival
Aye Write! – homepage for Glasgow’s Book Festival
Bloody Scotland – Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival
Borders Book Festival – website of the annual literary festival held each June in Melrose
Boswell Book Festival – festival of biography and memoir held in Dumfries
Bute Noir – annual crime-writing festival held on the Isle of Bute
Colonsay Book Festival – annual two-day event held on the island of Colonsay
Cymera – Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing
Edinburgh International Book Festival – an annual celebration of all things literary, held every August
Edwin Morgan Poetry Award – biennial award for poets under thirty who have not yet published their first collection
Faclan: Hebridean Book Festival – annual festival that takes place during the Celtic festival of Samhain
Granite Noir – Aberdeen’s Crime Writing Festival
Gray Day – annual day-long celebration of the writer and artist Alasdair Gray
Highland Book Prize – annual award celebrating published work created in or about the Highlands
Islay Book Festival – community-led festival held on the island of Islay
The Kavya Prize – celebrating published work and new writing by Scotland’s ethnically diverse communities
Nairn Festival – annual celebration of literature, art, music, and drama in the Scottish Highlands
Orkney Storytelling Festival – long weekend of oral storytelling, taking place in different locations across Orkney
Paisley Book Festival – annual festival of author events, workshops and opportunities for writers to showcase their work on stage
Portobello Book Festival – organised in collaboration with Portobello Library
Push the Boat Out – Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival
The Saltire Society Literary Awards – Scotland’s National Book Awards
Scottish Book Trade Conference – annual event for Scottish publishers and booksellers
Scottish International Storytelling Festival – takes place in and around Edinburgh every October
StAnza – Scotland’s poetry festival, held each March in St Andrews
Tidelines Book Festival – annual festival of literary events in Ayrshire
Ullapool Book Festival – a literary festival in the north-west of Scotland in May
Wigtown Book Festival – annual festival in Scotland’s national book town
Wigtown Poetry Prizes – one of the UK’s best established writing competitions
Winter Words Festival – four-day celebration of all things artistic and literary, held in Pitlochry
Wordplay – Shetland’s annual festival of literature
World Congress of Scottish Literature – bringing together scholars from all over the world to situate Scotland in a global and transnational scope
Literary Journals & Magazines
The Barcelona Review – an international review of contemporary fiction, with a strong Scottish presence
Chapman – work by Scottish and international writers
The Dark Horse – a Scottish-American poetry magazine
Eemis Stane – published digitally twice a year, open to submissions of poetry, fiction, essays and polemics in Scots
Extra Teeth – publishing new writing from Scotland and beyond
From Glasgow to Saturn – the University of Glasgow’s online literary magazine, based in the University of Glasgow Creative Writing Programme
Gutter Magazine – publishing fiction and poetry from writers born or living in Scotland
Lallans – journal of the Scots Language Society, published twice a year
The New Shetlander – Scotland’s oldest literary magazine
Northwords Now – giving a voice to new writing from the Highlands
ONE Magazine – a literary and arts magazine, available both in print and online
Poetry Scotland – published twice-yearly as an A4 broadsheet, showcasing new poetry in English, Scots and Gaelic from Scotland and all around the globe
Pushing Out The Boat – North East Scotland’s own prestigious magazine of new writing and visual art
The Selkie – non-profit literary magazine based in Edinburgh, publishing work by individuals who self-identify as underrepresented
Shoreline of Infinity – a SF magazine from Scotland
Soor Ploom Press – new creative writing from Scotland and beyond, accepting submissions for the Weekly Ploom plus a bi-annual edited collection in print
Literary Organisations
Abbotsford House – the home of Sir Walter Scott
The Alasdair Gray Archive – free public resource, caring for Gray’s studio and visual material and working to promote, protect and advance visual and literary arts
Bookfestival Scotland – details of book, storytelling and poetry festivals that take place each year across Scotland
CILIPS – providing advocacy, support and training for Scotland’s librarians and information professionals
Creative Scotland – developing and improving knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts, and increasing their accessibility throughout Scotland
Education Scotland – a national body for supporting quality and improvement in learning and teaching
The Edwin Morgan Trust – supporting Edwin Morgan’s vision for the development of Scottish poetry and translation through a range of funding opportunities and programmes
Federation of Scottish Theatre – the organisation representing all the major subsidised theatre producers in Scotland
Gaelic Books Council – supporting the development of Gaelic writing
Glasgow Women’s Library – a museum dedicated to women’s histories and achievements, with a lending library, archive collections and innovative programmes of public events and creative learning opportunities
Innerpeffray Library – Scotland’s oldest lending library, founded in 1680
Literature Alliance Scotland – Scotland’s largest literary network, committed to advancing the interests of literature and languages at home and abroad
The National Mod – the annual showcase for Gaelic language, music, literature and culture
The National Theatre of Scotland
Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust – Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling
Playwrights’ Studio Scotland – celebrates, promotes and develops Scotland’s rich and growing culture of playwriting
Publishing Scotland – the network body for the book publishing industry in Scotland
Robert Louis Stevenson Silverado Museum – a non-profit museum, based in St Helena, California, dedicated to Robert Louis Stevenson
The Saltire Society – aiming to preserve all that is best in Scottish tradition, and encouraging new developments which will strengthen and enrich the country’s cultural life
Scots Language Centre – resources for Scots language
Scottish Book Trust – an independent charity promoting books, reading and writing throughout Scotland
Scottish BPOC Writers Network – advocacy and professional development group for Scottish or Scotland-based writers and literary professionals who identify as BPOC
Scottish Language Dictionaries – compiling and maintaining authoritative dictionaries of Scots language
Scottish PEN – the Scottish branch of this world-wide association of writers
The Scottish Poetry Library – the world’s leading resource for Scottish poetry
The Scottish Society of Playwrights – professional member’s organisation representing theatre playwrights in Scotland
Scottish Storytelling Centre – storytelling events and workshops at the Netherbow centre in Edinburgh
Scottish Youth Theatre – works to provide a quality theatre arts experience to young people in Scotland
St Mungo’s Mirrorball – the network for Glasgow poets and poetry lovers, and the ideal introduction to the wonders of Glasgow poetry
Publishers in Scotland
404ink – alternative independent publisher
Acair Books – Stornoway-based publisher producing Gaelic children’s books, Gaelic and bilingual books for adults, and English only books on related Gaelic and Highland topics
Barrington Stoke – an award-winning publisher specialising exclusively in books for reluctant, disenchanted and under-confident readers
Birlinn Ltd – Scottish classics, humour, local interest, Gaelic, West Coast and academic books. Also includes John Donald, Polygon and Tuckwell Press imprints.
Black and White Publishing – fiction, sport, cookery, general non-fiction and memoirs
Canongate Books – one of Scotland’s most innovative and exciting publishers; imprints include Canongate Classics, Payback Press and Rebel Inc
Carcanet Press – although based in Manchester, Carcanet publish a wide range of Scottish classic and contemporary
poetry
Council House Publishing – a small independent publishing house based on Skye, producing a small number of high-quality titles each year.
Edinburgh University Press – academic titles on language, literature and a wide range of other topics
Fidra Books – a small, independent publisher specialising in rescuing neglected children’s books
Floris Books – Floris Books publish a wide variety of titles, including reprints of the Kelpies series of Scottish children’s fiction
Glowworm Books – children’s publishers and schools book distributors
HappenStance Press – a poetry chapbook imprint, based in Fife
Itchy-Coo – publishing books for children in Scots
Kennedy and Boyd – Kennedy and Boyd republish numerous classics of Scottish literature which are unavailable elsewhere
Kettillonia – a new publishing venture, aiming to put original, adventurous, neglected and rare writing into print, published as pamphlets
Luath Press Ltd – committed to publishing well-written books worth reading
Mariscat Press – one of the longest-running self-funded small presses in Scotland
Neil Wilson Publishing Ltd – a wide range of titles including the 11/9 imprint
Palimpsest eClassics Collection – ebook bundles containing some of the finest Scottish literary classics
Perjink Press – part publisher, part design-and-print agency, producing pamphlets of poetry and short fiction
Red Squirrel Press – publisher of poetry, short stories and novels
Rymour Books – publishing quality Scottish books by current authors and reprints of works of Scottish substance worthy of further attention
Sandstone Press – publishing contemporary fiction and non-fiction
Saraband – an independent Glasgow-based publisher of fiction and non-fiction
Scottish Plays – Brown, Son & Ferguson Ltd have been publishing Scottish drama for nearly 100 years. Their website
allows users to order scripts, from one-act plays to full-length productions
Scottish Text Society – publishing important texts from Scotland’s rich literary history, with special emphasis on the medieval and Renaissance period
Shetland Publishing Company – producing books on Shetland and publishing works by Shetland writers
SPAM zine & Press – online magazine & pamphlet machine based between Glasgow & London
Steve Savage Publishers Ltd – a publisher with a strong commitment to Scottish writing
Stewed Rhubarb Press – small independent press with a focus on poetry pamphlets
Strident Publishing – publishers of fiction for children and adults, based in Glasgow
Tapsalteerie – an independent publisher of Scottish poetry pamphlets based in Aberdeenshire
thi wurd – Glasgow-based literary publisher dedicated to quality fiction
ThunderPoint Publishing – publishing new literature, from established and first-time authors alike
Tippermuir Books – innovative publishing house based in Perth
Vagabond Voices – independent publisher that is both Scottish and fervently European in its aims
Resources for Writers
Borders Writers Forum – dedicated to contemporary writing from the Scottish Borders
Federation of Writers (Scotland) – supporting writers by making the whole process much easier to negotiate, from starting to write to publication
GSFWC – the Glasgow Science Fiction Writers’ Circle
Help! I need a publisher! – invaluable information and advice for aspiring writers from Nicola Morgan, Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland
Kalewater Cottage – creative retreat in the Scottish Borders
Moniack Mhor – Scotland’s national writing centre offering workshops, courses and creative writing retreats
Scottish Association of Writers – promoting and encouraging the art and craft of writing in all its forms
Scottish Writers’ Centre – a social arena where writers can meet and share ideas and experiences and a facility providing basic services for writers
Shore Poets – Scotland’s leading platform for live poetry
The Short Story – the campaign to celebrate the short story. Everything you want to know: reading them, writing them, listening to them; competitions, workshops, projects; plus an extensive bibliography and more
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Scotland – the Scottish branch of the SCBWI, an international organisation offering a variety of services to people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children’s literature
The Society of Authors in Scotland – the Scottish branch of the SoA, a non-profit making organisation set
up in 1884 to protect the rights and further the interests of authors
The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook – the best single source of information on publishers and agents in the UK
Writers’ Workshop – the UK’s largest editorial agency, offering a wide range of services
WriteWords – support, advice, interviews and articles for writers in the UK
The Writing Room – a range of editorial and literary services to writers
Writing Groups across Scotland: full list on the Scottish Book Trust website