Robert Burns Poetry Competitions

Our annual competitions inspired by the Scottish bard and sturdy Octagon resident opened on the 11th September.

Write a poem in English or Scots, inspired by the life or works of Robert Burns in no more than 500 words, and submit it by 1st December. Cash prizes and tickets to the annual Robert Burns Supper for first place winners in each category. 

Visit our competition page for full details and to enter online, or pick up an entry form from your local library.

There are separate competitions for adults and young adults - the Rap Like Robbie competition being for poets under 18 years of age.

With Grateful thanks to our sponsors: Otago Scottish Heritage Council - Dunedin-Edinburgh Sister-City Society - Dunedin Public Libraries Association - Centre for Irish and Scottish Studies - Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature

And for the support of the Otago Daily Times and the Dunedin Burns Club

Competitions close 5pm, Friday 1st December.