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&Bs - Nithbank Country Estate near Thornhill and Southpark House, Dumfries

StAnza: Scotland's International Poetry Festival     
8 - 10 March 2024 in St Andrews, Fife     
Nearby B&Bs - Tarskavaig Bed and Breakfast by St Andrews, 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.     
Nearby B&Bs - Nithbank Country Estate

NessBookFest     
tbc end 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     
tbc 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     
tbc 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

West Over Sea     
tbc end October 2024  
The Tobermory Book Festival on the Isle of Mull.

A Write Highland Hoolie     
tbc November 2024, Mallaig, West Highlands     
The annual Mallaig book festival returns for 2023 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