You might get hailed on, or it might be twenty degrees. Sure, it may even be snowing. But whatever the weather, you’re definitely going to want to brave it (or step away from it for a spell if it’s actually nice) in order to attend our fabulous April event. Do join us upstairs in The Waverley for our signature blend of poetry, song and bags of bonhomie – with readings from Sarah Stewart and Lynn Davidson, open mic performances and music from The Self-Righteous Brothers, you couldn’t hope for a better place to welcome summer in and (for it is also, of course, Beltane night) paint the town red. No burning torches or acrobatics, though, we beg you – for the pub would not be pleased (or let you in)! Further details below 🌞🎪🤸♂️
The When & the Where:
Thursday 30th April 2026
7.15pm – 9pm (doors open 7pm)
The Waverley Bar, 3-5 St Mary’s St, Edinburgh EH1 1TA
Admission: Our standard entrance charges are £7.50 (waged) and £5 (concession). This includes one raffle ticket, which will also be your receipt of entry. For those keen to increase their chances of a raffle win, we’ve also introduced a Golden Ticket: at £10, this covers entry plus five raffle tickets. Entry is payable by either card or cash, but it’s worth bringing the latter so as not to miss the opportunity to buy a book from one of our readers.
The Readers:
SARAH STEWART
Sarah Stewart was born in Aberdeen and Devour Everything is her first full collection. Her poetry has been shortlisted for the Keats-Shelley Prize, the Wigtown Prize and the Brotherton Prize and her pamphlet Glisk won the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award. Sarah also writes fiction as Sarah Forbes Stewart. Her novel Aren’t We Lucky was released as an Audible Original in 2025, narrated by Nicola Coughlan of Bridgerton and Derry Girls fame.
LYNN DAVIDSON
Lynn Davidson writes poetry, memoir, and essays. Her memoir Do You Still Have Time for Chaos? was published by Main Point Books, Edinburgh, and Te Herenga Waka University Press, Wellington. Her latest poetry collection, Islander, was published by Shearsman Books. Lynn is a Hawthornden Fellow, and has had writing residencies in Scotland and Aotearoa / New Zealand. She calls both places home.
Signing up for the Open Mic:
We have four open mic spots each month. These are booked in advance. To request an open mic spot in the future, please email us at shorepoetsedinburgh @ gmail.com (remove the spaces)
The Raffle:
Entry includes a raffle ticket; additional tickets are also available to buy when you arrive, should you wish to increase your chances of winning this month’s scrummy lemon cake. Or you can boost the odds of snaffling that piece of home-baked glory by purchasing one of our Golden Tickets (further details above, under ‘The When & the Where’). The raffle also frequently boasts other no less wonderful but definitely less edible prizes, in the form of pamphlets or books.
See you there!
Shore Poets 
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