Scotland is home to a truly diverse group of book festivals, featuring hill-top reading groups, gaelic language sessions, and the infusion of culture with local poets and musicians.
From the world-renowned Edinburgh Book Fest to the more intimate St. Duthac Book and Arts Festival, far north in Tain, this collection of book festivals in Scotland truly offers something for everyone.
Got a festival recommendation not on this list? Post it in the comments and I’ll add it to this post.
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Birnam Book Festival
Based alongside the beautiful Tay Forest Park and the River Tay, Birnam Book Festival is a relatively new event, having launched in 2018. With events for all ages, including workshops, discussions, author interviews, and live music.
Date: 26 — 27th October, 2024
Location: Birnam, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.birnambookfestival.co.uk/
Bookmark Blair
Blairgowrie’s Bookmark Blair is a community-focused book festival aiming to cover as many readers’ interests as possible, from prize winners to debut writers. Throughout the year, the organisers also collaborates with authors to engage with the local community.
Date: 5 — 6th October, 2024
Location: Blairgowrie, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.bookmarkblair.com/
Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival
Bloody Scotland is Scotland’s international crime writing festival. Based in Stirling, this book festival has established itself as one of the must-attend crime fiction gatherings in the calendar.
Date: 13 — 15th September, 2024
Location: Stirling, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://bloodyscotland.com/
Borders Book Festival
Melrose-based Borders Book Festival prides itself as one of the UK’s friendliest festivals. With local artisan food, live music, and a dollop of bookish merch stands, Borders is a festival in the truest sense of the word.
Date: 12 — 15th September, 2024
Location: Melrose, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://bordersbookfestival.org/
Boswell Book Festival
Inspired by Ayrshire biographer James Boswell, Boswell Book Festival claims to be the world’s only festival of biography and memoir. Running concurrently is a children’s festival, featuring leading authors, illustrators, and performers.
Date: 9 — 11th May, 2025
Location: Cumnock, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk/
Edinburgh Book Festival
Edinburgh Book Festival is one of the UK’s (if not the world’s) biggest literary festivals, and certainly the most recognisable book festival in Scotland. Featuring prominent voices and inspiring new creatives for over 40 years, the festival is a truly global affair, always evolving with the times and bringing in new audiences across the creative arts spectrum.
Date: 10 — 25th August, 2024
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on
Mallaig Book Festival
The Mallaig Book Festival is a traditional festival, celebrating literature with author readings, workshops, and discussions. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, it fosters a vibrant community of book lovers and promotes both local and national literary talent.
Date: 8 — 10th November, 2024
Location: Mallaig, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.a-write-highland-hoolie.com/programme
Nairn Book and Arts Festival
Another stunning location, this time in the Moray Firth, Nairn Book and Arts Festival covers music, art, film, literature, and dance. It even has its own version of Edinburgh Fringe, plus a range of Gaelic language events. A truly authentic book festival and well worth attending.
Date: 31st August — 7th September, 2024
Location: Nairn, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.nairnfestival.co.uk/whats-on
Pentlands Book Festival
The Pentlands Book Festival, just outside of Edinburgh offers local author showcases, and interactive workshops. A more traditional literary festival, attendees can also expect to enjoy unique hilltop readings in the stunning Pentland Hills.
Portobello Book Festival
Portobello is a stone’s throw from Edinburgh and Leith. The book festival is run by local people, for local people. Tickets are usually free, and the festival is primarily a local interest gathering for the community. A seaside town, it’s a beautiful spot for a bookish gathering.
St Duthac Book and Arts Festival
St Duthac Book and Arts Festival was born on the eve of COVID-19 (you can read more about its origins here), but has since gone from strength to strength. Based in Tain, in the very north of Scotland, the festival features author talks, art trails, and historic walks along the nearby peninsula.
Date: 4 — 6th October
Location: Tain, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.stduthacbookfest.com/copy-of-arts-events
Ullapool Book Festival
Ullapool Book Festival had its finale in 2023, before making a seemingly unexpected comeback in 2024 with two events. Based in the stunning coastal village in the north of Scotland, this is a relatively small but warm and well-loved gathering.
Date: 22nd June + 7th September
Location: Ullapool, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.ullapoolbookfestival.co.uk/
Wigtown Book Festival
The final event on our list, Wigtown Book Festival, is just south of the picturesque Galloway Forest Park in Wigtown, recognised as Scotland’s national book town. The 10-day festival has fostered what Scotland on Sunday calls a ‘real boutique feel’, and runs a range of community events all year round.
Date: 27th September — 6th October, 2024
Location: Wigtown, Scotland
Events Calendar: https://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/whats-on
