The Innes & Mackay 150th Anniversary Creative Writing Competition winners have been revealed, showcasing the exceptional talent of young writers across the Highlands.
The competition, centred on the theme of ‘new home,’ saw students from nursery, primary, and secondary schools across the region submit stories, poems, and designs for winning selection, which included publication in a special edition book highlighting the remarkable creative talents of the Highlands’ young writers and artists.
Jane Young, director of Innes & Mackay, expressed her pride in these creative efforts by stating:
“We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate the incredible talent of young writers from across the Highlands.
“The entries not only displayed exceptional storytelling and design talent but also captured the essence of what it means to create a new home, something that is very close to our hearts.”
The winners of this year’s competition are:
- Nursery Winner: Jessie Sedgwick – Their delightful card design captured the warmth and joy of a new home.
- Primary School Winner: Lucja Grzyb – Their short story, “New Home,” captivated with its charming and relatable look at the little things we miss when moving to a new home, filled with warm, sensory details that make both old and new places feel special.
- Secondary School Winner: Hannah Robertson – Their poem, “What Would Happen to Me?,” beautifully explored the emotional experience of being forced to leave home by capturing the struggle between the desire to stay and the harsh reality of having to leave.
The winner of the nursery category, Jessie, received a £100 Smyths Toys voucher and will have their design featured on thank-you cards to be sent to Innes & Mackay clients.
The school category winners, Lucja and Hannah, were each awarded a £100 book voucher and will also receive a copy of the special edition anniversary book, which showcases their winning entries alongside other winners from previous years.
In addition to the winners, three runners-up in the primary and secondary school categories received a £25 book voucher.
The three nursery runners-up were also awarded a £25 Smyths Toys voucher.
Furthermore, the winning school in each category will receive a £500 donation from Innes & Mackay to further support creative programs and initiatives.
Nursery:
Hannah Grychta, Balloch Primary
Abigail Kendrew-Jones, Balloch Primary
Millie Murray, Little Angels Nursery
Primary:
Emily Mair, Cradlehall Primary
Luisa Turowski, St Josephs
Emily MacDonald, Crown Primary
Secondary:
Ayla Bradshaw, Portree High School
Sophie Whitby, Fortrose Academy
Meghan Blain, Inverness Royal Academy
“Our winners and runners-up have turned the theme of ‘new home’ into something truly unique and meaningful, and we can’t think of anything else to say other than a massive well done to each of them,” continued Jane.
“We sincerely hope this competition sparks a lifelong love of storytelling and the arts as they grow and discover who they are.
“As a firm rooted in the Highlands for over 150 years, we understand the power of community, and we’re incredibly grateful to all who have supported us and contributed to our anniversary competition.
“Thank you to the schools, the teachers, the parents, and, above all else, the students, your participation, support and enthusiasm have blown us away.”
Innes & Mackay has been a constant presence in the Highlands for 150 years, providing a wide range of legal services to clients across the region from its base in Inverness.
The firm provides high-quality legal advice in property and land law, estate agency, family law, powers of attorney, wills, and legal aid.
For more information about Innes & Mackay, visit www.innesmackay.com or follow the firm on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
