Poet and playwright Hannah Lavery on creative inspiration, her time as Edinburgh’s Makar, and the joy of East Lothian

Lead image: Kat Gollock

Bedside table books: A mix of poetry and essays, but always with an escapist novel on the go — usually Louise Penny or Ann Cleeves. There’s something reassuring about a world where things are complicated but ultimately make sense. I need that balance.

East coast hideaways: Belhaven Beach. I love it early in the day, when it feels wide open and generous. It’s a place that helps me reset. Followed by Dunbar Harbour, and if you are lucky enough to find yourself there in the summer months, I would recommend the amazing food shack, Nauti – absolutely perfect for after a sail or sea swim. 

The new collection: Everything (Everyday) was shaped by a year of living through big public moments alongside very ordinary days. The poems move through seasons, family life, grief, care and resistance, asking how we keep going — and keep noticing beauty — when the world feels overwhelming.

Reflections on being Edinburgh’s Makar: It was a huge honour. Being Makar taught me the importance of listening — to communities, to the city, to what poetry can offer in difficult times. It reinforced my belief that poetry belongs to everyone.

Credit: Kat Gollock

Scotland’s divided self: Scotland is full of warmth and generosity, but also deep contradictions. My work tries to hold both — loving this place while being honest about the ways it can exclude or harm. I think that honesty is a form of care.

Capital inspiration: Edinburgh has shaped my work through its layers — history, beauty, tension, and resistance all living side by side. It’s a city that makes you pay attention, and that attentiveness has stayed with me.

Poem that changed your life: Audre Lorde’s A Litany for Survival. It reminded me that silence doesn’t keep us safe, and that speaking — even when it’s hard — can be an act of love.

Bringing you joy: Walking down Dunbar High Street to the harbour on a Saturday morning. My three wonderful children. Hanging out with my lovely husband. Being silly with my friends. Camping. Running slowly by the sea. Yoga on the beach. Reading by the fire. Small, ordinary moments that keep me grounded and thankful. 

Next steps: Continuing to write, collaborate, and make space for rest as well as resistance. I’m interested in slowing down, listening more closely, and seeing where the work leads next.

Hannah Lavery will be at the Winter Words festival at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 12th – 15th February