Scottish Poetry Library - The world's leading resource for Scottish poetry

Scottish Poetry Library - The world's leading resource for Scottish poetry
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Search from over 3,000 selected poems on this site or explore our full collection in our online catalogue
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Find out about our latest resources, projects and events
Next Generation Young Makars
We invite submissions to our young poets mentoring scheme for writers aged 16 to 25 years.
Enter here
A Two-Way Street
Tom Murray reflects on his time as a mentor in support of our Young Makars programme.
Read more
Corbenic Poetry Path
Creative Development Officer Taylor Strickland writes about the 10th anniversary of a unique poetry path...
Find out more
New: Wild Writing workshops
Join Lorna French in-person (at the SPL) or online for our popular Wild Writing workshops, either 6 week in-person or 4 week online. The workshops are small so tickets are very limited.
Click here for tickets
Nothing But The Poem - Robin Robertson
Regular podcast host Samuel Tongue rolls up his sleeves and gets under the bonnet of two vintage Robin Robertson poems.
Hear Here
The Machine that goes Bzzzrrriing!
Teach a scientist to be a poet and you may help them find a lexicon of language to explain complexity to the rest of us. Prof Sam Illingworth has being doing just that. Find out why and read the poems here...
Here be lab coats
Award for Hayden Murphy
Hayden Murphy was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Poetry in Scotland.
Read more
Rannan Chloinne
The children's poems that have been written for Rannan Chloinne will delight their young readers. In these verses you will find a range of subjects & sentiments – some frivolous, some that will lift your spirits & others that will give you pause, all of them in eloquent Gaelic.
Read the poems here
Young Religious Poets Competition
We've teamed up with the 2026 Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts to spotlight the faith based poets of the future. The prize pot is £1000. CLOSES FOR ENTRIES ON THE 1st OF MAY.
Find out more
National 5 and Higher poems
Our one stop shop for all the Nat 5 and Higher poems including the full texts, poet biographies and links to guides and learning resources from BBC Bitesize and Glasgow Uni.
Nat 5 and Higher
From the Caribbean to Caledonia
On a sun-kissed Autumn's afternoon on the banks of the River Nith two National Poets sat down to chat about Rabbie Burns, Bob Marley, Dante's Inferno, the Gaelic and Jamaican tongues, and much more besides. Peter Mackay and Lorna Goodison exchanged poems, stories, and laughter...
Hear Here
Our history and mission
A heritage tour of the poetry library with poet Janette Ayachi
Watch here
Join our Friends scheme
Our membership scheme is a fantastic gift for someone who loves poetry and Scotland’s literature
Support the SPL
Online Shop
Browse our range of poetry books, cards and gifts in our online shop. Free UK shipping over £20.
Shop now
Podcasts
Our audio programme of poets, poems and news for you to listen to.
Listen Now
Share our poem of the moment...
The horses watch the sea climb
and climb and walk
towards them on the hill,
hear the vole
crying under the alder,
Continue reading
What the horses see at night
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Robin Robertson
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Photo by Katerina Klemsova
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