Our News

Our statement on the closure of The Skinny

Posted on 16th September, 2026 in News

The news that The Skinny is to close is deeply concerning for Scotland’s writers and publishers. Criticism is vital in supporting us to reach audiences and markets and in broadening tastes so that Scottish writing in all its diversity, vitality and quality can achieve the engagement and recognition it deserves. In recent years we have seen review space contract significantly just as discoverability has become more challenging than ever. In this context, The Skinny’s coverage of books – within its broader cultural and creative criticism – was an especially significant asset. With the loss of this coverage, we invite a further flattening of taste in which the writers of smaller nations like Scotland will be especially disadvantaged, alongside those others who are dependent on their output for their livelihoods in our publishing and bookselling industries and elsewhere.

We call on Scottish Government and its funded bodies to review, as a matter of urgency, the investment and development support Scottish artists, cultural businesses and organisations require to ensure we retain the vital infrastructure that sustains our creative identity and output. It is clear that the infrastructure is crumbling.

We are grateful to all at The Skinny for their hard work over many years on behalf of Scottish culture and our thoughts are with the team as they navigate this distressing scenario.

Mairi Kidd & Philippa Cochrane
Co-Chairs of Literature Alliance Scotland
On behalf of the LAS Board