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 
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