Books, Festival

With a spot of sea air and an entertaining line-up of music, comedy, theatre, film, authors and children’s events, North Berwick's multi-arts festival offers a respite from the madness of Edinburgh in festival season.

An age-free arts festival with music, literature and spoken word, visual art and crafts, film and theatre as well as a programme of talks and debates. 2013 promises intimate venues, rising stars, unique collaborations, participation and mental stimulation.

World-class, critically-acclaimed music, art and literature converge on this corner of Fife. Though chamber music remains at the heart of the programme, the festival's most varied selection yet includes musical surprises, international authors and imaginative art-works, all located in quirky venues.

Now in its eighth year, this local festival offers a wide range of authors and speakers for adults and children of all ages, as well as How To Get Published, which gives budding local authors advice on how to get published. Past line-ups have included some of the the bigger names in the Scottish literary scene.

A four-day programme of walks, talks, story sessions and workshops with renowned storytellers from Scotland and beyond. The events are held across mainland Orkney with a trip to at least one of the outer islands; the last night always includes an Open Mic session, to encourage new talent.

An informal local literary fest taking place in the Old Brewery. As well as the expected readings and talks, the festival organisers make an effort to offer some out-of-the-box events on the themes of books and spoken word.

An innovative festival drawing on Scotland's love of the literary macabre and celebrating crime writing by bringing together leading Scottish and international writers, showcasing debut voices and encouraging new writers. The festival is an annual event complementing Stirling Library’s own Off the Page festival.

The stationary meets the cyclical at this celebration of literature, thought and the outdoors in the Borders. Using the natural environment and the inspirational effects of the outdoors to stimulate debate, events include literary and woodland walks, storytelling cycle rides.

Biennial arts festival with a focus on contemporary visual arts that combines an open call for submissions with invited guests to inspire new work and includes internationally-recognised artists. The programme, which also includes music, workshops and artists’ talks, utilises unused buildings and exterior spaces in and…

A mix of events including internationally renowned authors, local names, children's authors and the Comic Conference which features graphic novellists.

The Edinburgh Book Fringe takes place in Word Power Books and brings together writers and activists from around the world for a host of daily events of readings and discussions, all of which are free.

The world’s largest public celebration of the written word takes place in the first UNESCO City of Literature in the beautiful Charlotte Square Gardens. As well as leading Scottish and international authors, the varied programme always manages to cover poets, politicians, historians, journalists and children's authors…

Since moving beyond the equinox to the cusp of winter and focusing on themes such as Second Sight, the Supernatural, Blood, Belief and Pilgrimage this festival at An Lanntair has attracted major names. Fed and nourished by its location in the Gaelic heartland it has also diversified featuring silent and archive film with…

A free celebration of spoken word in all its forms: slams, storytelling, open mics, cabarets and a host of other events. The Minifest is organised by Inky Fingers, a grassroots spoken word events series based in Edinburgh.

Since its birth in 2004 the festival has played host to Jackie Kay, Ali Smith, Ian Rankin, Iain Banks, Christopher Brookmyre, Mairi Hedderwick and many more in a scenic week of literaRy events covering genres ranging across history, cookery, the environment, biography and fiction

An intimate and friendly festival that caters to Scotland's love of crime thrillers as well as introducing quirky and challenging books in a programme with something for all ages.

Readings, talks and performances, with guest appearances from Cerys Matthews, Andy Kershaw and the Roald Dahl Museum storytellers, among others.

The literary and cultural hub that is Charing Cross Road gets its day in the spotlight as it plays host to a number of authors, musicians, crafters and other cultural purveyors for a weekend mini fest. The programme includes everything from ukulele workshops, to author talks, to film screenings, to book detectives who are…

Luminate, a new kid on the festival block, celebrates our creative lives as we age by offering a wide range of inspirational arts activities with and for older people, as well as events for audiences and participants across the generations.

Back again for year three, this hip young festival spreads its wings to a new city for Margins Aberdeen. Set over two weekends, confirmed acts so far include Robert Newman, FOUND, Alasdair Gray, Christopher Brookmyre, Janice Galloway and more for six days of music, books and debate.

A celebration of emerging Scottish writing talent across all genres, inspired by the late great playwright Robert McLellan (1907-1985). Poet Simon Armitage presides over this year's programme of performances of writing by McLellan and new writing, especially in Scots.

North-East Scotland's innovative festival exploring the spoken and written word in performance with an emphasis on events that combine literature with other artforms.