ARDENTINNY poet Martin Goldie is hoping for national recognition after his work was shortlisted in a prestigious Scottish wildlife poetry competition.
Martin is one of just three finalists in the Scots language category of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Words of the Wild – Changing Seasons Poetry Competition, with the winners set to be announced at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday, October 24.
His poem, Spring Comes Tae Aird an Teine, was inspired by the landscape and wildlife surrounding his home in Ardentinny, capturing his connection to the natural beauty of the Cowal peninsula.
The poem impressed competition judges, who praised its “originality, passion and connection to the natural world”.
Martin is among just 18 finalists selected across six categories from almost 700 submissions, making his achievement particularly notable.
The finalists have been invited to attend the awards ceremony in Edinburgh, where Martin will discover whether his poem has secured the top honour in the Scots language category.
As well as competing for the category award, Martin is also eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which gave members of the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite poem from the 18 finalists.
The competition celebrates the changing seasons and the natural world through poetry, encouraging writers to explore their relationship with Scotland’s wildlife and landscapes.
For Martin, the recognition provides an opportunity to showcase not only his poetry but also the beauty and wildlife of Ardentinny on a national stage.
