About Scottish Poetry Library
The Scottish Poetry Library has been bringing people and poetry together for 33 years. Oiled by tea; fuelled by cakes.
Scottish Poetry Library Description
You are cordially invited to visit the Scottish Poetry Library, founded in 1984, and housed in the current purpose-built award-winning premises since 1999. Tucked away down Crichton’s Close, at the Parliament end of the Royal Mile just round the corner from Starbuck’s) our airy and contemplative space is more than the books and the people it houses: we aim to strengthen the presence and profile of Scottish poetry within Scotland and overseas and promote the writing, reading and appreciation of poetry as an integral part of personal and community life.
We’ve got 40, 000 items of poetry, mainly Scottish and contemporary, but with a range of other languages and other centuries, a wide selection of literary journals, CDs, videos, Braille collections. A borrower’s card is free as a bird, as is entry to enjoy our space. We’ve got a sophisticated online catalogue, an indexed reference archive and helpful and informative staff on hand to assist you. As well as all this, we run an events programme, working with cultural partners to explore poetry in all its glorious forms.
Reviews
Just a reminder - the final film in the Tony Harrison season takes place on Monday (3 December) at 5.40pm.
The film is Prometheus, which Harrison himself wrote and directed in 1998. A political parable set against the closure of the last Yorkshire mine. Using the myth of Prometheus for the struggles of the working class across Europe and the devastation brought on by political conflict and unfettered industrialisation to ask what humanity has made of Prometheus gift of fire....
A call to change things for the better by cooperation rather than competition.
The Observer wrote at the time, ‘A bold, adventurous film packed with striking visual images and forceful witty language. This is a gripping experience, and like much of Harrison’s work, fuelled with controlled anger.’
Tickets can be reserved online by clicking the link below.
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Check out out newsletter for our latest podcasts, blogs, events and news. - https://mailchi.mp/c8633a7b1…/draft-ema il-newsletter-2201921
This year, don't just mark Xmas by watching It's A Wonderful Life again for the umpteenth time. On Wednesday, 5 December, 7pm (£5), the SPL is putting on a very special production, telling the story of the film with the help of poets Katie Ailes, Carly Brown, Nick E. Melville, Calum Rodger and Andrew Blair.
There'll be tears, there'll be laughter, not to mention bells ringing and angels winging, banks a-crashing and 40s fashions, Potter's insidious schemes and George Bailey ...coming apart at the seams, the townsfolk showing their mettle and, finally, dear friends, Zuzu's petals. It's a wonderful poetry event!
Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/its-a-wond erful-life-in-poet…
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We're closed between 12.30pm and 1.30pm today. Apologies for the inconvenience.
Date for diary - the SPL is closed on Friday 30 November for a bank holiday.
Credit crunches, seasonal suicide and a kickstarter campaign to save a local hero - yes, it's the beloved Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life. Join us as five poets reinterpret the film with words and visuals.
Join performers Katie Ailes, Carly Brown, Nick E. Melville, Calum Rodger and Andrew Blair for this festive gathering and a mug (or two) of mulled wine. Mince pies more than likely.
"A day devoted to culture, social causes and the celebration of St Andrew’s Day"
“St Andrew’s Fair Saturday, a day to boost arts, culture and social empathy”
An afternoon celebrating writing from communities in and around Edinburgh. All proceeds donated to the involved charities. The groups are WHALE poetry group and Dunbar’s Writing Mums.
... St Andrew’s Fair Saturday is Scotland’s contribution to the global celebration of Fair Saturday which is a global mobilisation that aims to create a positive social impact following Black Friday, the greatest expression of consumerism. Artists and cultural organisations from all across Scotland and all around the world will get together in a global festival following just one requirement: to support a social cause of their choice and the wider celebration of St Andrew’s day through their show.
Proceeds to go to WHALE Arts Agency
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Two more films in the Tony Harrison season at Filmhouse this week.
TONIGHT - See the controversial V, whose frank language saw a group of Conservative MPS in 1987 attempt to censure Tony Harrison in the Commons for 'television obscenity'. Inspired by vandalisation of his parents' gravestones, V develops into a state-of-the-nation address as relevant now as then. AND Crossings - Harrison's update of the classic GPO Unit/Auden collaboration, Night Mail.... Showing under the title State of the Nation tonight at Filmhouse, 8.35pm (£10 / £8). Buy tickets online here: https://www.filmhousecinema.com/…/tony- harrison-shorts-stat…
THIS THURSDAY (29 Nov) - The Shadow of Hiroshima (1995) marked the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. It gives a voice to the outline shadow of a victim of Hiroshima. The shadow becomes our guide to Hiroshima, of memory and of today. AND Black Daisies for the Bride (1993), a tribute to sufferers from Alzheimers disease. Filmed in High Royds Hospital Yorkshire, it combines drama, song, documentary, verse and music to gently unravel the lives and memories of the residents. Showing under the title Lives and Memories at Filmhouse, 8.45pm (£10 / £8). Buy tickets online here: https://www.filmhousecinema.com/…/tony- harrison-shorts-live…
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Reminder: the SPL will be closed tomorrow until 2pm. We're holding our AGM, you see.
Today the memorial dedicated to the memory of Scotland's war poets was unveiled. It is the first free standing memorial in Makar's Court and features a quote taken from 'Lament for the Lads' by Neil Munro. The quote was chosen by the public via an online poll this summer. The memorial was provided by Dignity UK. We were pleased to have present pupils from Tynecastle High, George Watson and James Gillespie. Edinburgh Makar read too while a pipe band played those present in.
The SPL is delighted to announce an addition to the bill of our Rebel Book Club event tomorrow night. Nick-e Melville will join Harry Josephine Giles and Jack Hinks.
nick-e melville is the author of selections and dissections (Otoliths, 2010), a collection of visual poetry, its companion piece, this is visual poetry (Chapbook Publisher, 2010), and the found collection STUFF (whirlpool press, 2011). His visual work was featured in various group exhibitions in 2011, notably the...textisthetext, poetry beyond text, and I AM NOT A POET, where he curated a two day tippex installation. He also makes music to poetry as one half of ShellSuit Massacre.
Rebel Book Club celebrates the work of three unique lyricists who died within two years of each other: Leonard Cohen, David Bowie and Mark E Smith. It takes places tomorrow (24 Nov, 7pm, £3) at the SPL.
Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rebel-book -club-tickets-5002…
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New Poem of the Moment - 'The Home-Coming' by Joseph Lee:
When Te Deums seek the skies, When the Organ shakes the Dome, A dead man shall stand... At each live man's hand – For they also have come home.
Read the poem here: http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/p oetry/…/home-coming
On Friday, 23 November, 10am, a new memorial dedicated to the memory of Scotland's war poets will be unveiled in Edinburgh's Makars' Court. Joseph Lee's poem movingly describes the way in which men who died during the war may never have returned bodily, yet memories of them come back to haunt the living. Lee and his fellow poets did so much to keep the memory of those men alive; it's only right, 100 years after the end of the war, we remember the poets too.
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New SPL podcast. To mark the publication of Barefoot: The Collected Poems of Alastair Reid (Galileo), this episode is dedicated to the late poet.
Alastair Reid was a poet, an essayist, translator and traveller. Born in 1926 in Galloway, he served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War before moving to the US in the early 1950s, where he was published in The New Yorker, the start of a long association with that magazine. In the decades that followed he travelled the world, establishing friendships with two South American poets he translated, Neruda and Borges.
Tom Pow, Barefoot's editor, discusses Reid's life and work: what Reid thought of his homeland, his relationships with Borges and Neruda, and how Pow came to know Reid the man and Reid the poet.
Allan Cameron's new novel Cinico affords an occasion for a discussion with political commentator Jim Sillars about Brexit, rebellion and European literature at a FREE event tomorrow night in Edinburgh at Eric Liddell Centre, 7pm.
Introduction to Livonian poetry with academic Valts Ernstreits, poet and translator Ryan Van Winkle, and Shetlandic poet Roseanne Watt at the SPL on Friday, 7 December, 7pm - A FREE EVENT.
Consider how poetry can play a role in the preservation of language and culture at a reading and Q&A session with Livonian and Shetlandic poets.
Livonian is a Finnic language spoken by just over 20 people in Latvia and listed by UNESCO as critically endangered. Despite being much more widel...y known, and having a rich poetic tradition, Shetlandic language remains vulnerable.
This evening brings together Livonian poet and academic Valts Ernstreits, poet and translator Ryan Van Winkle, and Shetlandic poet Roseanne Watt in discussion and performance. The event is supported by Latvian Literature.
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404 Ink and Neu! Reekie! are chuffed to present, for one night only in Scotland, New York Times bestseller Jason Reynolds in conversation with Kayus Bankole from acclaimed Mercury Prize-winning trio Young Fathers.
The pair will talk about Jason's newest book For Every One, a hopeful manifesto for dreamers, their own routes to where they are today, the hurdles and successes along the way, and more. It's going to be an event to remember.
For Every One:... "Motivation for a lifetime" - The Sunday Times "Defiant and inspirational" - The Guardian
Originally performed at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, For Every One is Jason Reynolds' pocket-sized raylling cry to the dreamers of the world.
Tickets: £7.50 + booking fee, which includes a free copy of For Every One and drinks Event: 7pm, Scottish Poetry Library
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Please register for this FREE event here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/race-poetry-i n-scotland-a-conve…
This panel is both a continuation of, and a response to, the "Race & Poetry in Scotland" discussion held at the RAPAPUK conference in October 2018: http://www.rapapuk.com/programme-18.html< br> Four poets will share their thoughts in relation to the current poetry climate in Scotland and the UK. Our discussion will highlight the experiences of BAME writers creating in predominant...ly white spaces. Although the event will focus on the lived experiences and personal narratives of our speakers, some specific questions we might address include: presenting to predominantly white audiences; the absence of racial discourse in academic and non-academic spaces; the accessibility and availability of creative resources; and diversity in publishing. Our discussion will largely focus on what projects and opportunities our panellists have started and/or participated in, how BAME writers might get involved, and what future innovations can be developed and led by poets of colour in Scotland.
The discussion will be introduced with a poetry reading from each of our wonderful panellists, and followed by a wine reception.
Books and pamphlets will be for sale!
We're very pleased to feature: Hannah Lavery, Marjorie Lotfi Gill, Jyothis Padmanabhan (Joe with the Glasses), and Zein Hussein Sa'dedin. Bios coming soon.
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We're delighted to announce two new additions to the bill of our Rebel Book Club event this weekend.
Harry Josephine Giles is from Orkney, Scotland, and is a writer and performer. Their work generally happens in the crunchy places where performance and politics get muddled up. Their current touring show is Drone, a poetry, video and sound show about technology, gender and anxiety. Their most recent publication is The Games (Outspoken Press, 2018).
Jack Hinks is an Edinburgh-...based singer/songwriter, playing to ensure the survival of your ear-worm. Combining genres such as rock, jazz, and blues, Jack creates an eclectic genre of his own, but with a feel that has been likened to Jeff Buckley and John Mayer.
Jack performs regularly (with a plethora of bands and outfits) throughout Edinburgh, the U.K, and has already begun to spread across Europe
Click on the link below to order a ticket to Rebel Book Club, which takes place this Saturday at the SPL, 7pm (£3).
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Many thanks to Shan Ross and Scotland on Sunday for a nice piece yesterday about the upswing in poetry's readership and the popularity of spoken word nights. It featured the SPL and our monthly The God Damn Debut Slam (next one is 14 December).
“I’d say it’s a case of the times and art form chiming – very much cometh the hour, cometh the art form. Poetry has come through and found its voice.”
The best library in the best order. :-)
The Scottish Poetry Library is one of my favorite poetry sites, from among the more than 100 on my annotated list of the best places to find poetry and poetry reviews on the web. I'll be posting an updated version of the list on my FB page later this week.
Such a beautiful haven of books, words, and crafts.
My thought goes to paste to you a poem I addressed to my Greek cousin; Nick Catsakis and his Scottish wife; Jean Maxwell Catsakis, both living in Florida, Nokomis, USA, who wrote to me a letter, informing me about the Scottish poet Robert Burns, whom I didn't happen to know till that time.Their letter motivated me to answer to them, after a reading about his bio, as well as some of his poems, by writting these hereto verses, about this famous Scottish poet Robert Burns:
Dear Nick & Jean;
Thanks to you
Most of his poems I
Searched and got
As well his Bio
His so short life
His so long struggles
His so strong fight
As I read the poems, and
Verses recite of:
"A Red,Red Rose"
"A Man's A Man for A' That", and
"To a Louse", "To a Mouse"
"The Battle of Sherramuir”
"Tam o' Shanter", and
"Ae Fond Kiss"
Though a lot of words
Difficult me
I touch the thunder
And smell the bliss
Of the so famous
Scottish Poet
Robert Burns
Nick & Jean;
My pen
My hand
My ear earn
My desk
My room
My soul
Burn
So Dear-Dear
Cousins
I send to you;
A bunch of roses
A bundle of thanks !
Your cousin
Athanassios Kitsikopoulos
Athens Greece
My first stop every year at the Edinburgh festival fringe. This is a cracking venue and hosts many great events and has collections of poetry from both established and contemporary names
It has a warm and welcoming staff who are committed to what they do. What more could you ask for?
I loved my visit there! I just lost myself in poetry for over an hour! Very peaceful!
I called the Scottish Poetry Library after a tutor of English Literature at Glasgow Uni seen and heard my work and advised me to speak to this library.
I was glad that I did as I had always had a problem in tagging myself as a “Poet”!
I was a wee bit apprehensive as I’m not a published poet, though my work is quite well known and I was unsure of how I would be received.
After a lovely chat with Head Librarian, Rebecca Oliva, I felt comfortable and I’m very pleased to say that my work is now stored in the archives of the library.
Rebecca also gave me the added confidence to now call myself a Poet! ��
Thank you
Stef Shaw
How can anyone not adore this place??!
If reading is your thing, if poetry is your thing, if being among books is your thing, then do it all in a modern, light-filled building, a mere step away from the bustling city, in a quiet cultured wee lane, with restrained chic surroundings, reading-stock which inspires and informs in equal measure, and warm, welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable staff!!
Beautiful and cosy place with lovely welcoming people
An excellent literary venue, filled with different potential experiences and a pleasure to be in. Highly recommended, also for the friendly staff, who are willing to help with any small query or simply in guiding through the shelves.
Amazing collection, fantastic events! Beautiful space about to get better.
A hidden study haven in the heart of Edinburgh. Just beautiful.
Before clicking the button of Like and follow-up I read some publications and found that there is no serious criticism, indicating the small number of people following the reading and the Poetry Library and the literary.
The best library in the best order. :-)
The Scottish Poetry Library is one of my favorite poetry sites, from among the more than 100 on my annotated list of the best places to find poetry and poetry reviews on the web. I'll be posting an updated version of the list on my FB page later this week.
Such a beautiful haven of books, words, and crafts.
My thought goes to paste to you a poem I addressed to my Greek cousin; Nick Catsakis and his Scottish wife; Jean Maxwell Catsakis, both living in Florida, Nokomis, USA, who wrote to me a letter, informing me about the Scottish poet Robert Burns, whom I didn't happen to know till that time.Their letter motivated me to answer to them, after a reading about his bio, as well as some of his poems, by writting these hereto verses, about this famous Scottish poet Robert Burns:
Dear Nick & Jean;
Thanks to you
Most of his poems I
Searched and got
As well his Bio
His so short life
His so long struggles
His so strong fight
As I read the poems, and
Verses recite of:
"A Red,Red Rose"
"A Man's A Man for A' That", and
"To a Louse", "To a Mouse"
"The Battle of Sherramuir”
"Tam o' Shanter", and
"Ae Fond Kiss"
Though a lot of words
Difficult me
I touch the thunder
And smell the bliss
Of the so famous
Scottish Poet
Robert Burns
Nick & Jean;
My pen
My hand
My ear earn
My desk
My room
My soul
Burn
So Dear-Dear
Cousins
I send to you;
A bunch of roses
A bundle of thanks !
Your cousin
Athanassios Kitsikopoulos
Athens Greece
My first stop every year at the Edinburgh festival fringe. This is a cracking venue and hosts many great events and has collections of poetry from both established and contemporary names
It has a warm and welcoming staff who are committed to what they do. What more could you ask for?
I loved my visit there! I just lost myself in poetry for over an hour! Very peaceful!
I called the Scottish Poetry Library after a tutor of English Literature at Glasgow Uni seen and heard my work and advised me to speak to this library.
I was glad that I did as I had always had a problem in tagging myself as a “Poet”!
I was a wee bit apprehensive as I’m not a published poet, though my work is quite well known and I was unsure of how I would be received.
After a lovely chat with Head Librarian, Rebecca Oliva, I felt comfortable and I’m very pleased to say that my work is now stored in the archives of the library.
Rebecca also gave me the added confidence to now call myself a Poet! ��
Thank you
Stef Shaw
How can anyone not adore this place??!
If reading is your thing, if poetry is your thing, if being among books is your thing, then do it all in a modern, light-filled building, a mere step away from the bustling city, in a quiet cultured wee lane, with restrained chic surroundings, reading-stock which inspires and informs in equal measure, and warm, welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable staff!!
Beautiful and cosy place with lovely welcoming people
An excellent literary venue, filled with different potential experiences and a pleasure to be in. Highly recommended, also for the friendly staff, who are willing to help with any small query or simply in guiding through the shelves.
Amazing collection, fantastic events! Beautiful space about to get better.
A hidden study haven in the heart of Edinburgh. Just beautiful.
Before clicking the button of Like and follow-up I read some publications and found that there is no serious criticism, indicating the small number of people following the reading and the Poetry Library and the literary.
The best library in the best order. :-)
The Scottish Poetry Library is one of my favorite poetry sites, from among the more than 100 on my annotated list of the best places to find poetry and poetry reviews on the web. I'll be posting an updated version of the list on my FB page later this week.
Such a beautiful haven of books, words, and crafts.
My thought goes to paste to you a poem I addressed to my Greek cousin; Nick Catsakis and his Scottish wife; Jean Maxwell Catsakis, both living in Florida, Nokomis, USA, who wrote to me a letter, informing me about the Scottish poet Robert Burns, whom I didn't happen to know till that time.Their letter motivated me to answer to them, after a reading about his bio, as well as some of his poems, by writting these hereto verses, about this famous Scottish poet Robert Burns:
Dear Nick & Jean;
Thanks to you
Most of his poems I
Searched and got
As well his Bio
His so short life
His so long struggles
His so strong fight
As I read the poems, and
Verses recite of:
"A Red,Red Rose"
"A Man's A Man for A' That", and
"To a Louse", "To a Mouse"
"The Battle of Sherramuir”
"Tam o' Shanter", and
"Ae Fond Kiss"
Though a lot of words
Difficult me
I touch the thunder
And smell the bliss
Of the so famous
Scottish Poet
Robert Burns
Nick & Jean;
My pen
My hand
My ear earn
My desk
My room
My soul
Burn
So Dear-Dear
Cousins
I send to you;
A bunch of roses
A bundle of thanks !
Your cousin
Athanassios Kitsikopoulos
Athens Greece
My first stop every year at the Edinburgh festival fringe. This is a cracking venue and hosts many great events and has collections of poetry from both established and contemporary names
It has a warm and welcoming staff who are committed to what they do. What more could you ask for?
I loved my visit there! I just lost myself in poetry for over an hour! Very peaceful!
I called the Scottish Poetry Library after a tutor of English Literature at Glasgow Uni seen and heard my work and advised me to speak to this library.
I was glad that I did as I had always had a problem in tagging myself as a “Poet”!
I was a wee bit apprehensive as I’m not a published poet, though my work is quite well known and I was unsure of how I would be received.
After a lovely chat with Head Librarian, Rebecca Oliva, I felt comfortable and I’m very pleased to say that my work is now stored in the archives of the library.
Rebecca also gave me the added confidence to now call myself a Poet! ��
Thank you
Stef Shaw
How can anyone not adore this place??!
If reading is your thing, if poetry is your thing, if being among books is your thing, then do it all in a modern, light-filled building, a mere step away from the bustling city, in a quiet cultured wee lane, with restrained chic surroundings, reading-stock which inspires and informs in equal measure, and warm, welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable staff!!
Beautiful and cosy place with lovely welcoming people
An excellent literary venue, filled with different potential experiences and a pleasure to be in. Highly recommended, also for the friendly staff, who are willing to help with any small query or simply in guiding through the shelves.
Amazing collection, fantastic events! Beautiful space about to get better.
A hidden study haven in the heart of Edinburgh. Just beautiful.
Before clicking the button of Like and follow-up I read some publications and found that there is no serious criticism, indicating the small number of people following the reading and the Poetry Library and the literary.