As Scotland’s long, cold nights draw in, it’s important our campaign can enjoy some good cheer to carry us through the darker months!
For the last two years SCND has hosted very successful Burns events, gathering renowned poets based in Scotland for a programme of peace-themed poetry. These events have been heartening antidotes to the often oppressive, militaristic discourse that is all too common in the national political conversation.
So we are delighted to announce our 2026 Burns Afternoon Event, which will take place on Sunday 25th of January between 3pm-5pm, and is free to attend online – register today:
Images from our 2024 & 2025 Peace Poetry Events!
We also want to encourage supporters to nominate and read poems themselves as part of the programme, so we are inviting any nominations of poems in Scots and/or on the themes of peace.
Please email scnd@banthebomb.org with the full text of your nominated poem and inform us whether you would like to read yourself, or whether you would like your chosen piece to be read by one of our guest poets.
This year we’re pleased to welcome back some of the esteemed poets who joined us in the past.
Julie McNeill is a poet, editor and community worker with several publications and literary accolades, including winning the 2023 Burrell Collection Hidden Gems Poetry Competition. She has published with Luath Press, Tippermuir Press and Drunk Muse Press.
Hugh McMillan is an award-winning poet with ten full poetry collections published across a range of prestigious imprints. He has won the Smith/Doorstop Prize and the Cardiff International Poetry Competition, as well as being shortlisted for the Michael Marks Poetry Award and the Basil Bunting Award.
Finola Scott is a widely published poet and mentee of Liz Lochead as part of the Clydebuilt scheme. She has enjoyed wide acclaim as a poet of Scots language and is a Makar of the Federation of writers.
Clare Phillips is a writer, poet and esteemed SCND member, who has curated the programme and will MC the event. Join us on Burns day 2026 for an uplifting afternoon of peace poems and good company!
And finally, don’t forget our 2026 Christmas appeal to help support the coming year of campaigning, which will see demonstrations and mobilisation around the 2026 Scottish election. We’ve already raised £400 – help us reach our target by January!
Thanks as ever for your support,
Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament