Our Mission Statement
The Wee Gaitherin
The Wee Gaitherin SCIO (having first staged its festival in Stonehaven over two days, summer 2021) strives to be the most democratic poetry festival in Scotland, offering a platform for poets – from the unknown to the acclaimed – to showcase their work on an equal footing.
Our motto of ‘Turn up, tune in, take part’ reflects the inclusive ethos of the festival, which encourages participation from all marginalised and traditionally under-represented sections of society, including younger and working-class poets in particular who may struggle to gain exposure for their work. In a radical departure from the norm - in a spirit of good will any poet, with a desire to share their work, can contact us with a request to perform and we will endeavour to offer an opportunity to take part.
The Wee Gaitherin will also act as a focal-point for the diversity of talent from the Scottish regions – not least in the Scots, Doric and Gaelic languages, as well as for independent poetry publishers and event organisers. Being the first of its kind in the area, the festival is dedicated to highlighting the vitality of Scottish and international poetry to new and receptive audiences across North East Scotland and beyond. To that end, it is free at admission to all-comers. As well as indoor and outdoor readings, the festival also acts as a forum for discussion, debate, workshops, and an exchange of ideas on the role of poetry in society, and its intrinsic value to the greater good of society.
Who we are
The Wee Gaitherin Trustees
Neil Young
Neil Young hails from west Belfast (1964 batch) and now lives in north-east Scotland. He worked as a labourer, kitchen-porter, stage-hand, barman and studied drama before becoming a journalist. Neil’s publications include Lagan Voices (Scryfa, 2011), The Parting Glass – 14 Sonnets (Tapsalteerie, 2016), Jimmy Cagney’s...
Hugh McMillan
Hugh McMillan’s latest poetry book ‘Diverted to Split’ was published by Luath in 2024. He is currently stalking John Keats on his epic walking tour of Scotland in 1818. He edits the mag Poets' Republic and is an editor for Drunk Muse Press. He edited ‘Best Scottish Poems’ in 2023 and currently chairs the Saltire Poetry Panel for Best Poetry Book of the Year.
Lesley Benzie
Lesley Benzie is an Aberdonian, who lives in Glasgow. She won Wigtown’s Scots Poetry Prize in 2024 and will be the judge of this prize for 2025. Previously she received Highly Commended in FWS Vernal Equinox and Runner-up in McCash Scots Poetry Competitions, and in 2022, a nomination for "writer of the year" in the Scots Language Awards.
James Cunningham
James Cunningham, The Wee Gaitherin treasurer, is an academic researcher in the social sciences. His work looks at enterprise activity in the creative sectors. He is widely published in the academic literature on issues relating to entrepreneurship and regional development, community business, and the social impact of small family firms. He is a trustee of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and is Associate Editor of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Originally from Ayrshire, James worked for many years in Germany as a teacher of English. He now lives in Stonehaven.
Cáit O’Neill McCullagh
An archaeologist and ethnologist (deeply engaged with the live and concerns of people; their lives and deaths) who lives, works and researches throughout the Highlands and Islands, Cáit started writing poems at home in Easter Ross in December 2020. Since then, her poetry has been published widely in print and online, and in exhibitions, and films.
Julie McNeill
Julie McNeill authored We Are Scottish Football (Luath Press 2024), Something Small (Drunk Muse Press 2023) and Children’s nonfiction Mission Dyslexia (JKP Books 2022). She is co-editor of A Most Unsuitable Game (Tippermuir Press 2024), exploring the history of Scottish women’s football. Forthcoming in 2025 is her new collection, Love Goes North.
