Book Festivals

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   
12 - 15 February 2026  
The 21st anniversary of this literary festival in Perthshire showcases a wide range of authors, playwrights, poets, adventurers and broadcasters. The new Artistic Director is actor Alan Cumming.   
Stay with our B&Bs in Perthshire

Granite Noir      
tbc 19 - 22 February 2026, Aberdeen   
The 10th anniversary of Aberdeen's book festival dedicated to crime fiction and thrillers including many special events such as writing workshops, theatre and author talks.

Kirkcudbright Book Festival   
tbc March 2026  
Each year there's usually more than 20 events with over 40 writers in this Dumfries & Galloway town event.

StAnza: Scotland's International Poetry Festival      
13 - 15 March 2026 in St Andrews, Fife      
Nearby B&Bs - No12 B&B in St Andrews, Craighall Steading in Ceres, Newton Farm by Inverarity.

Portsoy Book Festival 
17 - 18 April 2026 
The 8th book festival in Portsoy on the Aberdeenshire coast. 
Nearby B&B: Brandon Lodge near Portsoy

Crime & Thriller Festival      
1 - 3 May 2026, 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

Ullapool Book Festival      
tbc early May 2026  
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      
8 - 10 May 2026, 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.    The world's only Festival of Biography and Memoir.

Cymera   
5 - 7 June 2026, Edinburgh   
Scotland's festival of science fiction, fantasy and horror writing will be held in Edinburgh and online.   
Nearby B&Bs: Arden Country House near Linlithgow

Borders Book Festival      
11 - 14 June 2026, Scottish Borders      
Held in the Harmony Garden in Melrose, a wonderful few days of talks, discussions, food & drink, and more for all the family.      
Nearby B&B - Mill House near Kelso.

ButeNoir      
7 - 9 early August 2026  
Isle of Bute's crime writing festival.

Edinburgh International Book Festival      
15 - 30 August 2026  
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&B: Arden Country House near Linlithgow

Beyond Borders International Festival      
tbc late August 2026, Traquair House, Innerleithen near Peebles      
Cultural festival in the Scottish Borders including literature, performing arts, visual arts, heritage, film, politics and dialogue.      
Nearby B&B - Mill House near Kelso

Nairn Book and Arts Festival      
29 August - Sunday 6 September 2026  
A varied programme including authors, workshops, music, theatre, photography, art exhibitions and more. Now in its 22nd year. An exciting arts programme to suit every taste.      
Nearby B&B - Ardmeanach House in Inverness.

Bloody Scotland      
18 - 20 September 2026, 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.

St Duthac Book and Arts Festival   
8 - 13 September 2026  
Various locations in historic Tain and around the Easter Ross peninsula in the Highlands.

Findhorn Bay Festival  
24 September – 4 October 2026, Findhorn  
This biennial arts event takes place on the Moray coast.  
Nearby B&B: Brandon Lodge near Portsoy

Wigtown Book Festival      
25 September - 4 October 2026, 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      
tbc early October 2026, Inverness   
Lots of authors will be contributing through this long weekend in Inverness at this free annual festival with this year's theme of Nature.   
Nearby B&B - Ardmeanach House, Inverness

Bookmark      
tbc early October 2026, 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      
21 - 31 October 2026, Edinburgh  
Nearby B&B: Arden Country House near Linlithgow

Tobermory Book Festival   
23 - 24 October 2026  
The Tobermory Book Festival takes place on the Isle of Mull.   
Nearby B&B - Seaview Bed and Breakfast on Mull

John O'Groats Book Festival      
tbc October 2026, Caithness      
Various venues in John O'Groats.   
Nearby B&Bs - Auld Post Office B&B, Burnside Cottage B&B

Pentlands Book Festival   
early November - early December 2026  
Now in its 11th year with talks by authors held in Currie and Colinton Libraries and other local venues on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Aye Write! Glasgow's Book Festival      
tbc early November 2026  
A wide-ranging programme of events at Glasgow's iconic Mitchell Library.

A Write Highland Hoolie      
6 - 8 November 2026, Mallaig, West Highlands      
The annual Mallaig book festival returns and will feature some well-known local and national names.   
Stay at Ardarroch Cottage B&B near Glenfinnan

Book Week Scotland      
tbc mid November 2026  
Events across Scotland

Push the Boat out - Edinburgh's International Poetry Festival      
tbc late November 2026  
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