To Glasgow: Gaelic writing competitions
Litir gu Glaschu (Letter to Glasgow), the Gaelic language writing competition, returns for another year, with some amazing prizes up for grabs. And this year we’re introducing an additional competition alongside it - Òran do Ghlaschu (Song to Glasgow).
The first prize for both competitions includes £500, and the deadline for both is Friday 26 September 2025. So get writing!
A bird, a tree, a bell and a fish. This year we’re asking you to write, in Scottish Gaelic, a Letter to Glasgow, or a Song to Glasgow, involving these images which are associated with the story of the city.
Perhaps you’ll draw inspiration from the story of St Mungo and the robin, or you may have a completely different take on how these symbols represent the city in the present day.
There are amazing prizes to be won. First prize, for best Letter to Glasgow written by an adult (18+), is £500 and publication in STEALL magazine. The best Song to Glasgow written by an adult (18+) will earn them £500 too, and will be arranged and performed by a well-known Gaelic singer and musician for Celtic Connections 2026.
For the under-18s’ categories there are book vouchers and Celtic Connections concert tickets to be won.
Entries should be submitted to amcv@glasgowlife.org.uk by Sunday 26 September 2025 for a chance to win great prizes!
See full competition details and terms and conditions below. Please read carefully before writing and submitting your entry.
Letter to Glasgow and Song to Glasgow are run by Glasgow Life and the Gaelic Books Council with the support of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Song to Glasgow has additional support from UNESCO City of Music.
Competition details and conditions
(one winner for each category)
Adult (18+): £500
The adult competition winner’s work will be published in STEALL magazine and may also be presented at an event at the Royal National Mòd in Lochaber.
Secondary school: £50 book token, plus family ticket for Celtic Connections 2026.
Primary school: £50 book token, plus family ticket for Celtic Connections 2026.
All entries must be in Scottish Gaelic.
Entries must be under 500 words for adults, and under 250 words for entrants in primary or secondary school.
Entries should be in Word format as a file attached to your email. The email should include your name, home address, telephone number and the competition category (primary school, secondary school or adult), but please don’t include your name or anything that reveals your identity in the letter itself, because all the letters are to be judged anonymously.
Winners will be informed by email on 3 October 2025, and the names of the winners will be published on the Glasgow Life and Gaelic Books Council websites thereafter.
All applicants to the adult competition must be free to record their letter with our film maker either in person or online on 6 or 7 October.
(one winner for each category)
Adult (18+): £500 for the best song, which will be arranged and performed by a well-known Gaelic singer and musician at Celtic Connections 2026.
Under 18 (secondary school): £50 book token, and a family ticket for Celtic Connections 2026.
Under 18 (primary school): £50 book token, and a family ticket for Celtic Connections 2026.
All entries must be in Scottish Gaelic.
Entries should be in Word (for lyrics) and MP3/WAV (for melody) format with the files attached to your email.
The email should include your name, home address, telephone number and the competition category (primary school, secondary school or adult), but please don’t include your name or anything that reveals your identity in the song itself, because all the songs are to be judged anonymously.
Winners will be informed by email in w/c 29 September 2025, and the names of the winners will be published on the Glasgow Life and Gaelic Books Council websites thereafter.