Linda Cracknell will complete her term as Brownsbank Writing Fellow in November 2005. We are looking for a published writer - poet, novelist, dramatist - able to continue the work of the fellowship from then.

The Brownsbank fellowship is offered for at least one year and may continue for a further two years provided that adequate sponsorship can be obtained.

At present, the post is sponsored by the Scottish Arts Council and South Lanarkshire Council. The annual stipend is £18,000. A travel allowance is also provided.

Half of the writer’s working week is spent on community and school-based writing activities throughout South Lanarkshire; the other half is for personal work.

Brownsbank Cottage, where the fellowship is based, was the home of C M Grieve (Hugh MacDiarmid). It has been completely restored by the Biggar Museum Trust who now own the property, and to whom the writer is largely responsible. The cottage lies up a rough farm track 3 miles north-east of Biggar on the A702. It is a very simple two roomed cottage with a lean-to kitchen and bathroom extension. It contains the furniture, artefacts and books of the poet and his wife, Valda. The Trust's Brownsbank Committee holds some of its committee meetings there.

The closing date for applications will be 11 August 2005.

Some fellows have chosen to live at Brownsbank. Alternatively, we can help to find local accommodation, if required.

Further information is available at www.brownsbank.org.uk  and application forms can be requested from: Andrew McCallum, 14 Boghall Park, BIGGAR, ML12 6EY 01899 221743 a.mccallum@btinternet.com