Hidden Stories Creative Writing Competition

260 years after the Battle of Culloden was fought on Culloden Moor, we found artefacts in the battlefield that tell the "Hidden Stories" of the men - and women - that were on the moor on that fateful, rainy day in April 1746.

Who was the person that lost the celtic cross pendant? What happened to the man that held the musket whose trigger guard was ripped off by the opponent's musket shot? Choose any one of our recent archaeological discoveries to write your short story about.

Stories of up to 1500 words can be submitted before 21st February 2008 in either Gaelic or English (only one submission per contributor).

Clearly mark what age group you are: Under 14, 14-18, or over 18. Please also clearly state the actual word count of your submission.

Post your submission to:
Nicole Deufel
Learning Manager
Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
Culloden Moor
Inverness
IV2 5EU
(No email submissions, please.)

Our judges are:

English - Under 14 and 14 - 18: tbc
English - Over 18: Janet Paisley, author of "White Rose Rebel"
Gaelic - Under 14 and 14 - 18: Ian Macdonald, Director of Comhairle nan Leabhraichean (the Gaelic Books Council)
Gaelic - Over 18: former teacher, broadcaster and corporate relations director John Macpherson

The winners will be announced in March 2009 and they will be invited to read their winning submissions at an event on 18 April 2009, following the annual memorial service at the battlefield.

To help your creativity, search our events calendar for our Creative Writing Workshops and our Hidden Stories Writers Group meetings.

If you have any questions, call Nicole at the centre on 0844 493 2159 or email ndeufel@nts.org.uk.