An Aberdeen cross-arts literary festival, produced by young people in the city, has launched its Spring programme which includes an appearance from Booker Prize-winner Douglas Stuart, author of Shuggie Bain.
Organised by University of Aberdeen's WORD Centre for Creative Writing, WayWORD is an annual, youth-led festival designed to showcase new work, amplify diverse voices, and break down cultural barriers.
Its Spring season of events in Aberdeen will weave together literature, ecology, sound and live research. From the depths of a geothermal borehole to the peaks of the Cairngorms, and from Cruickshank Gardens to Cowdray Hall, the events move fluidly between campus and community, and between science and story throughout May.
The programme kicks off on Tuesday 12 May with a double bill in the Sir Duncan Rice Library. First, Publishing in Scotland Today brings together Duncan Lockerbie, founder of Aberdeenshire's own Tapsalteerie press, and literary consultant and poet Sarah Stewart to demystify the publishing industry and explore what happens to a piece of writing once it leaves a writer's hands. That same evening, the Tapsalteerie Poetry Showcase celebrates the press's 13th year with Stewart Sanderson reading from his second collection Weathershaker, and Sarah Stewart reading from her debut full collection Devour Everything.
On Wednesday 13 May, Stewart Sanderson leads an Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop, guiding participants to translate artworks from University Collections’ Aberdeen Artworlds exhibition at the Sir Duncan Rice Library into original poetry. This is tandem with WayWORD’s Ekphrastic Poetry Prize, which will also be launched in May.
Come the weekend, Women in Nature will bring together celebrated nature writer Karen Lloyd with members of We Are Nature Collective, a women-led creative group from North East Scotland to discuss their work in the Cowdray Hall on Sunday 17May. Their appearance at WayWORD follows walks in the Cairngorms and Seaton Park, supported by WayWORD, and they will share new poetry responding directly to these experiences.
That same afternoon, WayWORD hosts a headline event with Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, for the launch of his third novel, John of John – a story of homecoming, family, and the island of Harris – followed by a book signing.
The programme closes on Friday 22 May with the Geothermal Soundwalk, developed in partnership with Peacock & the worm. Led by artist-researcher Maja Zećo, the walk takes participants across campus to listen – above ground and imaginatively below it – in a process that mirrors the University's own Aberdeen Geothermal Feasibility Pilot, which is drilling over 500 metres beneath the city in search of low-carbon heating solutions. Talks from the research team and Peacock’s Curator Rachel Grant will follow, connecting art and sound with Aberdeen’s energy transition.
In May, there will also be schools’ activity taking place in Cruickshank Botanic Garden with researcher Rebekka Allgayer joining Primary 6 pupils from Sunnybank Primary for a hands-on session exploring how science can be learned through storytelling, utilising pond-dipping as a lens into the living world. Rebekka will share a story and teaching resource created from this engagement at WayWORD’s main festival taking place 3-11 October 2026.
Dr Shane Strachan, Creative Director of WayWORD Festival, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome such an exciting mix of voices to Aberdeen this spring, from emerging poets and nature writers to Booker Prize-winner Douglas Stuart. The programme is designed to spark conversations between literature, landscape, science and community.
“What makes WayWORD special is that young people are at the heart of every decision. Their ideas and energy drive the festival, creating a programme that feels fresh, curious and open.”
WayWORD is supported by Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Funding (funded by the National Lottery). For the full Spring programme and tickets, visit www.waywordfestival.com