Scotland's Best B&Bs
Scotland hosts a wide variety of literary festivals up and down the country from the Borders to the Scottish Highlands. We hope you will be tempted to book a stay at one of Scotland's Best B&Bs to enjoy a cultural break while sampling local food and hospitality.
Perhaps you have been inspired to visit Scotland by reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books. We're sure you won't be disappointed! Here's our recommendations for some of the great book festivals around Scotland and where you can stay at members of Scotland's Best B&Bs.
Winter Words
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
8 - 11 February 2024
The 20th anniversary of this literary festival in Perthshire showcases a wide range of authors, playwrights, poets, adventurers and broadcasters.
Granite Noir
20 - 25 February 2024, Aberdeen
Aberdeen’s book festival dedicated to crime fiction and thrillers including many special events such as writing workshops, theatre and a special audience with Poirot actor David Suchet.
Kirkcudbright Book Week
4 - 10 March 2024
More than 20 events with over 40 writers in this Dumfries & Galloway town event.
Nearby B&B - Southpark House, Dumfries
StAnza: Scotland's International Poetry Festival
8 - 10 March 2024 in St Andrews, Fife
Nearby B&Bs - Craighall Steading in Ceres, Newton Farm by Inverarity.
Aye Write! Glasgow's Book Festival
tbc March 2024
A wide-ranging programme of events at Glasgow's iconic Mitchell Library.
Crime & Thriller Festival
3 - 5 May 2024, Cromarty, Highlands
A thrilling & suspenseful weekend book festival with many guests and novellists in this historic town on the Black Isle by the Moray Firth.
Nearby B&Bs - Home Farm at Muir of Ord, White Rose Tower near Invergordon
Ullapool Book Festival
tbc early May 2024
This is an intimate and welcoming literary festival in this former fishing village on the shores of Loch Broom in the Scottish Highlands.
Boswell Book Festival
10 - 12 May 2024, Dumfries House, Cumnock, East Ayrshire
This Scottish cultural event is the world's only festival of biography and memoir. Named after the Ayrshire writer James Boswell, this festival mixes Scottish history and tradition with contemporary culture.
Nearby B&B - Ayrs and Graces B&B near Ayr
Borders Book Festival
13 - 16 June 2024, Scottish Borders
Usually held in June in Melrose, but the festival has been moved to Abbotsford House in November 2021 as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations for Sir Walter Scott. A wonderful few days of talks, discussions, food & drink, and more for all the family.
Nearby B&Bs - Mill House near Kelso.
ButeNoir
tbc early August 2024
Isle of Bute's crime writing festival.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
10 - 25 August 2024
From politics to comics and graphic novels, from feminism to the environment, from health to storytelling, this is the festival with something for everyone!
Nearby B&Bs: Arden Country House near Linlithgow
Beyond Borders International Festival
tbc end August 2024, Traquair House, Innerleithen near Peebles
Cultural festival in the Scottish Borders including literature, performing arts, visual arts, heritage, film, politics and dialogue.
Nearby B&Bs - Mill House near Kelso
Nairn Book and Arts Festival
31 August - 8 September 2024
A varied programme including authors, workshops, music, theatre, photography, art exhibitions and more. Now in its 21st year. An exciting arts programme to suit every taste.
Nearby B&Bs - Inverness House and Ardmeanach House in Inverness.
Bloody Scotland
13 - 15 September 2024, Stirling
Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival which aims to be entertaining as well as informative, covering a range of criminal subjects from fictional forensics, psychological thrillers, tartan noir, cosy crime and many more.
Findhorn Bay Festival
20 September – 29 September 2024, Findhorn
This biennial arts event takes place on the Moray coast.
Nearby B&B: Brandon Lodge near Portsoy
Wigtown Book Festival
27 September - 6 October 2024, Dumfries & Galloway
The Lowlands have their own romance, giving birth to many of the writers, thinkers, warriors, explorers and inventors who have helped to shape the modern world. Hear their stories and explore the link between Galloway's stunning Lowland landscape and its people; drop in for a dram at Scotland's most southerly distillery and discover the lands where Robert the Bruce earned his spurs. Celebrating Scotland's National Book Town.
NessBookFest
26 - 28 September 2024, Inverness
Lots of authors will be contributing through this long weekend in Inverness at this free annual festival.
Nearby B&Bs - Inverness House, Ardmeanach House, Inverness
Bookmark
5 - 6 October 2024, Perthshire
Book festival in Blairgowrie, Rattray and The Glens of East Perthshire with authors, commentators and speakers.
Nearby B&Bs - Craigellie House, near Blairgowrie, Northlands Bed and Breakfast in Pitlochry
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
18 - 31 October 2024, Edinburgh
Nearby B&Bs: Arden Country House near Linlithgow
John O'Groats Book Festival
tbc October 2024, Caithness
Various venues in John O'Groats.
Nearby B&Bs - Auld Post Office B&B, Sharvedda, Burnside Cottage B&B
Pentlands Book Festival
23 October - 28 November 2024
Now in its 10th year with talks by authors held in Currie and Colinton Libraries and other local venues on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Tobermory Book Festival
25 - 26 October 2024
The Tobermory Book Festival takes place on the Isle of Mull.
A Write Highland Hoolie
8 - 10 November 2024, Mallaig, West Highlands
The annual Mallaig book festival returns and will feature some well-known local and national names.
Book Week Scotland
tbc November 2024
Events across Scotland
Push the Boat out - Edinburgh's International Poetry Festival
tbc end November 2024
A new festival with a mix of poetry, spoken word, live music, songwriting, film, gaming, visual art and more!
Nearby B&Bs: Arden Country House near Linlithgow
Tarbert Book Festival
tbc late November 2024, Tarbert, Kintyre
Events for all ages at this local book festival on the Kintyre peninsula
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