Discovering writing!

Join award-winning internationally published author Professor Kirsty Gunn and Sutherland publisher David Graham for a lively and creative writing workshop as part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Curious festival.

Hosted in the Lairg Library, this exciting, practical and hands-on session invites you to explore how the Sutherland landscape, and our everyday lives here, can be transformed into powerful, resonant writing. And whether or not you have ever written creatively before, this event is for you!

Through a writing, reading, and publishing workshop – along with an informal Q&A discussion - you’ll discover ways to turn lived experiences into compelling texts. And you will disvover, too, how to transform your writing through publication.

Refreshments will be provided.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
• This event is being hosted at Lairg Library. Please only book if you are able to attend at this location.

• Filming: Photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed.
• Covid-19: If you would like to wear a face mask, please feel comfortable to do so at our events. Please be mindful of other participants and stay at home if you have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.
• Lairg Library is easy access.

FACILITATOR

Professor Kirsty Gunn FRSE

Professor of Writing Practice and Study, University of Dundee

Internationally published creative writing teacher. Author of “The Big Music”, the Faber and Faber award winning novel set in Sutherland and focusing upon local culture and music. Author of novels, short stories, essays, and, most recently, “Pretty Ugly”, a collection of short stories recently shortlisted for the Medlicott Prize for Fiction.

FACILITATOR

David Graham

Founder of North House Press, Former Publisher at Canongate, Granta and Batsford

Former Chair and Trustee of the Independent Publishers Guild,The Big Draw and Book Trade Benevolence Society. Publisher of Booker prize winning “Life of Pi” and now Founder Director of North House Press, a Sutherland Publishing Company foregrounding Highland stories, literature and way of life.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 6 − Saturday 14 September 2025!

Curious is a festival of ideas – open to all and driven by connection, conversation, and discovery. It’s a chance to explore ideas and questions that matter with some of Scotland’s leading thinkers – and with people who bring their own lived experiences, insights, and curiosity to the table.

From science and society to arts and innovation, the programme spans a wide range of topics – with each event designed to spark dialogue, invite different perspectives, and encourage knowledge exchange.

Curious is an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, plus those who see the world differently, and be part of discussions where everyone is welcome to share, learn, and be inspired. Full programme of events here.

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Newsletter

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