Braid Burn Creative Writing Walk

Find inspiration in nature on this gentle, guided creative writing walk.

Writing outdoors can be a great way to shift our perspectives, generate new ideas, and connect with each other and the world around us, especially now the cold winter months are over and summer is approaching. Let’s slow down together and take some time to reflect and create while walking along the beautiful Braid Burn in the Hermitage of Braid nature reserve.

No previous writing experience is necessary. This is an opportunity to build or tend to your creative practice by cultivating attentiveness to the natural world.

What will the walk involve?

We will walk together in a small group, stopping along the way to write from prompts, which will be provided. These prompts will focus on the Braid and our natural surroundings, but can be applied to any genre you choose to write in. The walk will end with a group discussion and the chance to share what you have written or reflected on.

What should I bring?

Please bring something to write with (such as a pen and notebook, or even your phone).

We will be outside for 1.5 hours, so make sure to dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear, as paths may be uneven and muddy.

It may also be useful to bring something to sit on, such as a waterproof, as benches and other seating may be wet.

You might also want to bring a drink and a snack, but there is a cafe in the park as well.

Weather

We will be heading out in most weather conditions, including rain. However, if there is a weather warning, the walk will be cancelled and your ticket refunded.

Other Information

Please note that the precise location of the start of the walk will be communicated by email ahead of the event.

The terrain will be a mix of paved and unpaved pathways, so this walk is unfortunately unsuitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs.

The reserve is easily reached by bus or car, and parking is available at various locations around the reserve.

Bathrooms are available near the Visitor Centre within the reserve.

Cost

If you’re not in a position to purchase a ticket just now but would like to attend, please get in touch and we can reserve a spot for you on the walk, no questions asked.

About the Organiser

Cameo Marlatt is a Canadian poet and creative non-fiction writer living in Edinburgh. She has a Doctorate of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow, and her work has been published in journals such as Plumwood Mountain, Canary, Lighthouse, and From Glasgow to Saturn. She is interested in zoopoetics, which explores how attentiveness to animals can inform human creative practice.