Excluding libraries, The Poetry House is the largest building in Britain devoted to the writing and reading of poetry. In its four-storey seafront building opposite the medieval St Andrews castle, The Poetry House acts as a focal point for the art-form in Scotland. It is part of the University of St Andrews School of English.

The Poetry House, The Scores, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 9AR.
Contact Sara Lodge, sjl5@st-and.ac.uk, tel. 01334 462666

StAnza, Scotland’s Poetry Festival, takes place every March with national and international poets and speakers. Its programme of readings, talks, discussions and workshops is complemented by a popular children’s programme and poet in residence.
StAnza Poetry Festival, St Andrews, 17-20 March 2005
Contact Brian Johnstone info@stanzapoetry.org, tel. 01333 360 491

St Andrews Library is newly refurbished, with a wide range of books, music, videos, computers with free internet access, a meeting room and excellent disabled access throughout the building.
St Andrews Library, Church Square, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9NN. Contact standrews.library@fife.gov.uk, tel. 01334 412685.

St Andrews University Library, The Scores
Free tickets available in advance from the library
Contact Elizabeth Henderson (01334 462325) for further details

This year’s National Poetry Day is dedicated to the subject of the future. Appropriately enough, we’re celebrating it a few days early! Come and join us to christen the Library’s excellent exhibition on the subject of St Andrews and its long connection with poetry and to toast the young winners of a competition for poetry by children, announced by Kathleen Jamie. Thanks to Ottakars Bookshop for their generous sponsorship of this event.


Visiting Poet: John Glenday
19th Oct 5.30-7.30 pm

St Andrews Public Library, Church Square
Tickets £3 (£2 with Fifestyle card). Tel 01334 412685 to book

Poetry Workshop: Wish You Were Here
John Glenday is the talented Tayside-based author of poetry collections The Apple Ghost (1989), winner of an SAC Book Award, and Undark (1995), a Poetry Book Society Choice. Described by one reviewer as ‘an intelligent, admirably wrought and moving voice’, John is also a thoughtful and supportive midwife of others’ creative powers. This workshop — primarily, but not exclusively geared toward poetry — is designed to unlock the creative potential of the participants. It will identify specific techniques and show how inspiration can be harnessed, imagination encouraged, and creative writing skills developed. Bring a pen and some paper. Sign up early to avoid disappointment.


Visiting Poet: Julia Donaldson
12 th November 11 am

St Andrews Public Library, Church Square
Tickets £3 (£2 with Fifestyle card). Tel 01334 412685 to book

The Gruffalo and Friends. Songs and Stories for Children by much-loved children’s writer Julia Donaldson, accompanied by her husband Malcolm on guitar. Suitable for children aged 4 and over.

Julia Donaldson started her career writing songs for children’s television. In 1993, one of her songs was made into a book, A Squash and a Squeeze. Since then she has written over forty delightful books and plays for children and teenagers, including the rhyming story The Gruffalo, which won three major British book awards (the Smarties Prize, the Blue Peter award for The Best Book to Read Aloud, and the Experian ‘Big Three’ award) and remains the UK’s best-selling picture book. Come and join in the face-making, noise-making fun as the Gruffalo and Friends pay St Andrews a long-anticipated visit. Please book in advance as this event is sure to be popular.


Visiting Poet: Angus Peter Campbell
30th November 5.15 pm

The Poetry House (Rm 30), School of English, The Scores

St Andrew’s Day Reading and Discussion
Mentored by Iain Crichton Smith and Sorley Maclean, Angus Peter Campbell is one of the great Gaelic voices of our time. He has published two poetry collections, five short novels and in 2003 published An Oidhche Mus Do Sheol Sinn (‘The Night Before We Sailed’), which has been described as the Great Gaelic Novel and voted one of the 100 best Scottish books. He is also a prominent radio and TV broadcaster. To celebrate St Andrew’s Day he will be reading poetry in Gaelic and English and discussing his work in relation to Scottish literary traditions. Come along, raise a glass, and join in the debate on Scotland’s literary future.


Spotlight Creative Writing Workshops
11 October, 25 October, 15 November, 22 November 1-2pm
Poetry House (Rm 30), The Scores

Don’t hide your creative light under a bushel! Come and join in these free workshops, open to all, and led by talented and friendly postgraduate students on St Andrews University’s M.Litt. in Creative Writing course. No need to bring any work with you — just a pen and some paper.