WRITERS in the Borders are being invited to send in their submissions to a nature-inspired competition.

The Mountain Writing Competition by Mountaineering Scotland – the body which represents hillwalkers, climbers, mountaineers and ski touring enthusiasts – invites people to submit poetry and prose inspired by Scotland's munros, mountains and hills.

Entry to this year's competition is open to members and non-members, with the first place winner receiving £200, and second and third place winning £100 and £50 respectively.

In addition to the cash prize, winning entries are also published in Mountaineering Scotland's magazine, Scottish Mountaineer, and on its website.

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A spokesperson from Mountaineering Scotland said: "Whether it’s the adrenalin rush of rock and ice climbing, the tranquillity and beauty of wandering gentle hills or the wonder of travelling in the high mountains, people have always felt driven to write about their experiences in the mountains.

"And the steady stream of new books about the great outdoors demonstrates that people like to read about it too."

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Submissions to the competition can be works of fact or fiction – with the only stipulation being that the piece be connected to mountaineering, rockclimbing, hillwalking, or ski-touring.

And writers can contribute one entry to each of the categories – one poem and one piece of prose.

The spokesperson added: "Run since 1987, the competition is open to members and non-members alike and regularly attracts entries from all over the UK.

"Previous winners have included both published authors and people who have taken up creative writing for the first time and include names such as veteran outdoor writer Hamish Brown and more recent arrival John Burns, author of The Last Hillwalker, Bothy Tales and other books.

"You can read an archive of previous winners in both prose and poetry categories at www.mountaineering.scot/members/members-benefits/scottish-mountaineer-magazine/mountain-writing-competition"

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Prose have a maximum word count of 2,000 words, and poetry entries should be no longer than 200 words.

Entry to the competition cost £5 per category.

Entries must be received by 5pm on October 31.

For rules and further information, visit: www.mountaineering.scot/mountainwriting