It was with a sense of coming home that we returned this year to the Moniack Mhor Writers' Centre near Kiltarlity, outside Inverness. Cromarty was great last year, but Moniack Mhor's cosy, converted farmhouse is where the Pushkin Prizewinners belong! There are lovely walks from the house and the fabulous weather meant that everyone could make the most of the countryside and of tutor Gerry Cambridge's extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna.

No two Pushkin Prizewinners' courses are the same and 2008 was no exception, with everyone bringing their own particular talents, enthusiasms, humour and thoughts to the week. The tutors - writers Diana Hendry and Gerry Cambridge - guided the prizewinners through a series of seminars and individual tutorials designed to build on their existing writing skills. The atmosphere was relaxed and participants were encouraged to develop their own writing ideas. The final session on Friday morning when they shared their work and utilised Diana's tips on presentation, demonstrated how much progress everybody had made during the week. There will be lots more writing to come from the class of 2008.

In addition to the writing element of the week, we had a special trip to visit the picturesque ruins of Castle Urquhart on the shores of Loch Ness; went rambling and bird-spotting; climbed trees; scared ourselves silly with ghostly tales; staged a 'Scotland & Russia Have Got Talent' ceilidh; rescued tadpoles; shared favourite stories and poems; and cooked and enjoyed delicious (honest!) meals together. Our two winners from St Petersburg, Dasha and Olga, impressed us all with their fluent English and with their valiant efforts to teach everyone a few words of Russian. Perhaps most importantly, firm friendships were established, which will be sustained by shared happy memories and the wholesale exchange of email addresses.

Another vintage Pushkin Prizes year and an especially memorable one for all concerned. Perhaps you'll be with us next year!