Scottish PEN is a centre of PEN International and not-for-profit organisation that champions freedom of expression and literature across borders.

We are a membership organisation and work with a range of writers, campaigners, activists and communities across Scotland and around the world.

Find out more about us.

All members of Scottish PEN subscribe to the PEN Charter.

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Featured Member's Writing

Morelle Smith

Every Shade of Blue

John Renbourn was one of the original members of Pentangle, the innovative folk group formed in the late 1960s. After the group split up John continued touring, composing, recording and teaching right up until March 2015, when he was on tour with the legendary Wizz Jones.

In the mid-1990s, poet and travel writer Morelle Smith accompanied John Renbourn in his journeys across the USA and Europe, from the pale blue skies over San Francisco to the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea.

Written in planes, ferries, cafes and hotel rooms,Every Shade of Blue describes their travels together.

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PENning, the Writers in Exile Committee’s biannual online journal, presents work by Scottish PEN’s member-writers alongside writing from people living in Scotland who are from other parts of the world.

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