Hawthornden Castle is a writers retreat run by the Hawthornden Foundation in Scotland. The philanthropist Drue Heinz founded it in 1982 as the Hawthornden Literary Retreat, and it remains the foundation’s original residency site. The castle houses six writers at a time in sessions lasting four weeks, with eight sessions spread across the calendar year. Writers come from anywhere in the world and work on their own projects; the retreat asks nothing of their time in return. Silence is kept in the house between 9am and 6pm, and the group eats breakfast and dinner together. The foundation runs two other residencies, Casa Ecco on Lake Como in Italy and Hawthornden Brooklyn in New York, and applications are made through one online portal.
Benefits & funding
- Full room and board for the whole four-week session, at no cost to the writer.
- A private study bedroom, plus use of an extensive library, a studio, the drawing room and garden room, and the castle garden, walks, woods and grounds.
- A travel stipend of $1,000 for writers traveling from Europe, or $2,500 for writers traveling from elsewhere in the world.
- Breakfast and dinner served communally at set hours; lunch is delivered to the writer’s room. Vegetarian, vegan and allergy needs are catered for.
- Laundry taken in and linen changed once a week; towels and dressing gowns provided.
- Internet access at the castle.
- The foundation gives no help arranging travel and no funding beyond the stipend.
Eligibility
- Open to writers from any country. The residency describes itself as international in character.
- Literary fiction writers, poets, short story writers, creative nonfiction writers, essayists, playwrights, screenwriters and translators into English are all invited to apply.
- No degree, prize or publication requirement is stated.
- Writers working in a language other than English must submit an English translation of the writing sample alongside the original text. Since 2024 the foundation will have the sample translated through the literary organization Words Without Borders on request.
- Applicants should be reasonably fluent in spoken English so they can take part in the life of the residency.
- Former residents may apply to a different Hawthornden site after a one-year break, and may return to the same site after a five-year break.
- The castle is an ancient building with narrow entrances, many stairs and no lift. Applicants with physical disabilities are advised to consult the Site Director before applying.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Watch the Hawthornden Castle page for the open round. Applications for the 2027 sessions have closed; applications for the 2028 sessions will be posted there in March 2027.
- 2Check the session dates for the residency year and the accessibility note; writers with a physical disability speak to the Site Director first.
- 3Prepare the writing sample. Writers working in another language attach an English translation, or ask the foundation for one through its Words Without Borders service before the sample is due.
- 4Submit through the foundation’s online application portal. Applications are not accepted by email or through the website contact form.
Program timeline
Session I
Jan 10, 2027 to Feb 6, 2027
Session II
Feb 14, 2027 to Mar 13, 2027
March 2027
Applications for the 2028 sessions open on the foundation website
Session III
Mar 21, 2027 to Apr 17, 2027
Session IV
Apr 25, 2027 to May 22, 2027
Session V
Jun 6, 2027 to Jul 3, 2027
Session VI
Aug 29, 2027 to Sep 25, 2027
Session VII
Oct 10, 2027 to Nov 6, 2027
Session VIII
Nov 14, 2027 to Dec 11, 2027
not published by the foundation yet
Deadline for the 2028 round