Ian Rankin to deliver keynote speech at Bloody Scotland 2012

The first book festival dedicated to crime fiction will take place in Stirling this September

This article is from 2012.

It had to happen sooner or later. Given the uncanny and possibly disproportionate ability for Scotland to churn out crime writers by the dastardly dozen, someone somewhere just had to suggest inaugurating a festival wholly dedicated to the felonious form. And here it is in the shape of Bloody Scotland, situated in Stirling, deep in the heart of the nation.

During the course of three capillary-busting days, more than 40 authors will be showing up for events, talks and masterclasses with Ian Rankin (who else, really?) delivering the keynote speech on the opening night. What makes Scottish crime writing so distinctive and what is its relationship to crime fiction around the globe, asks the creator of Rebus? You could call it a rude awakening the following morning as Peter James, Denise Mina and Professor Sheila McLean ponder the notion of evil and consider whether the act of writing crime novels can be seen as a moral pursuit.

Across the weekend are events such as Fresh Blood with new writers to the genre (including John Gordon ‘Gregory’ Sinclair) and Forensics: Return to Scene (featuring Lin Anderson). But who was it that started all this fascination with the streets, alleyways and woodlands of Scotland being bathed in made-up blood? In contemporary terms, many reckon William McIlvanney is the man, with the creation of DI Jack Laidlaw setting the benchmark. In an event chaired by Len Wanner, the very roots of Tartan Noir will be pulled at til they bleed.

Various venues, Stirling, Fri 14--Sun 16 Sep.