The Gaelic Books Council’s Màiri MacCuish is looking forward to returning to Cottiers Theatre in Glasgow for this year’s Gaelic Literature Awards.  ‘[It’s a] beautiful venue which provides the perfect backdrop for a jam-packed evening of awards and entertainment.’

The awards, which began in 2020, succeeded the Donald Meek Award which had existed as a separate competition for a decade (and is now the prize given for best non-fiction book). Attendees will also find out who wins the recently introduced Derick Thomson Prize for poetry, as well as the coveted prize for fiction. The awards are unique on the Scottish literary landscape, ‘providing writers and publishers with a platform to showcase their achievements, which might otherwise not be available to them,’ says MacCuish.

They give key recognition to a minoritised literature, often disregarded by comparable awards at Scottish and UK level. This year's shortlist includes Jason Bond, Ceitidh Campbell, Sheelagh Campbell, Rody Gorman and Christopher Whyte. For 2023 winner Duncan Gillies, last year’s ceremony was an important step on the road to further success: Crann-fìge / Fig Tree was shortlisted for Scottish Fiction Book Of The Year at Scotland’s National Book Awards and also won the Highland Book Prize.

The awards ceremony is open to the public and has become a highlight of the Gaelic arts calendar, with this year’s event hosted by Angela MacEachen. MacCuish says attendees can also look forward to a selection of new music from South Uist’s Màiri MacMillan.

Gaelic Literature Awards, Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow, Tuesday 17 September.