Wild Words celebration in Fort William

Two top women authors to give autumn Wild Words talk at the Highland Bookshop Fort William

The John Muir Trust is inviting Lochaber residents – and especially local writers – to attend an event at Highland Bookshop in Fort William on Friday 25 October celebrating the literature of landscape and nature.

The conservation charity, which looks after the Steall Gorge and the summit of Ben Nevis, is bringing together celebrated outdoor writers Amanda Thomson and Anna Fleming to talk about their work.

Amanda, a printmaker and lecturer at the Glasgow School of Art, is  the author of the recently published A Scots Dictionary of Nature. Anna is a climber, walker and swimmer, with work published in Waymaking – an anthology of women’s prose, poetry and artwork  focused on the outdoors.

After the talk on Friday 25 October, the Trust is looking for Lochaber writers to bring their poetry and prose for an open mic session.

Ross Brannigan, Engagement Officer at the John Muir Trust, said: “Throughout October, the Trust is celebrating how language, landscape and nature come together in art, poetry, prose and spoken word through Wild Words. We have dozens of articles and events during the month to share the creativity wildness inspires.

“To have Anna Fleming and Amanda Thomson join us at the Highland Bookshop on 25 October is brilliant, and we hope to see lots of people bringing their creativity to our open mic session afterwards.”

Sarah-Louise Bamblett, Manager at Highland Bookshop, said: "We champion local writers here at The Highland Bookshop and are delighted to be hosting this unique event with our friends at The John Muir Trust to celebrate our collective love of nature while sharing stories, writings and experiences."

Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased in Highland Bookshop or online. As well as discounted books, you’ll get free refreshments and a discounted Trust membership for attending the event.

• For more information about the event, contact Ross Brannigan