Put pen to paper – deadline for Cairngorms anthology looming!
Put pen to paper – deadline for Cairngorms anthology looming!
A project that aims to delve deeper into the relationship that people have with the natural environment through creative writing is reaching a high point with the deadline for submissions to an anthology of works fast approaching. ‘Shared Stories: A Year in the Cairngorms’ led by the Cairngorms National Park Writer in Residence, Merryn Glover, is a 12 month initiative encouraging people to put pen to paper to share and explore the ways in which people and nature thrive together in the Park.
A new anthology of Cairngorms inspired writing will be published as a result of the project with the deadline for submissions being Friday 27th September. Anyone can enter – whether you have attended a workshop with Merryn or you simply enjoy writing in your own time. Once completed, the anthology will contain a work by Merryn as the Park’s Writer in Residence along with commissioned work from Linda Cracknell, Alec Finlay, Amanda Thomson and Samantha Walton and contributions from people from all walks of life including school children.
Organised and part financed by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) with a funding award of £8,000 from Creative Scotland and £10,000 from the Woodland Trust, the Shared Stories project has proved very popular and the anthology will provide a legacy for the initiative.
Cairngorm National Park Writer in Residence Merryn Glover said: “It has been a privilege to lead workshops across the Park and to meet so many creative people, many who have felt encouraged to share their writing for the first time. It has inspired new directions in my own work and I look forward to bringing all these voices together in the anthology. We want to be spoilt for choice, so do send us your writing!”
For more information on how to submit your creative writing for the Shared Stories: A Year in the Cairngorms please visit the Shared CNPA website.
Alert
Latest from the National Park
Ongoing wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire south of Aviemore.
Historic bridge in Nethy replaced after years of community effort
New bridge over Allt Mòr Burn officially opens
Endangered ant queen found in Royal Deeside
An exciting discovery in Royal Deeside is being hailed as a milestone in the recovery of a critically endangered species.
Relevant alerts
-
Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
----
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
-
Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.