Books, Festival

Taking over the West End of Glasgow each year, the festival treats the ears to a great musical line-up, tantalises all the senses with a carnival and delves into the creative depths of local studios and exhibitions with the Hidden Lane Festival.

A free, local literature festival run by West Dunbartonshire Libraries that nevertheless manages to book some big name authors for its programme of talks, signings and more unusual events. This 11th edition sees Alasdair Gray, William McIlvanney and Allan Massie join non-fiction writers Margaret Evison, Tom Devine and DA…

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.

Taking place in the National Trust's Georgian Harmony Garden, in the heart of Melrose, the Borders Book Festival attracts world-class writers and personalities and also hosts the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction awards. For its tenth year, the festival sees Joanna Lumley and Phyllida Law talk…

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.

Community arts festival based in the west end of Dundee, starting with a gala day, Big Sunday, on Magdalen Green that features live music and entertainment, kids' activities, stalls, food and drink. Throughout the week there's a mix of walks, talks, literary events, music, dance, theatre, art and film.

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.

StAnza is a literary festival that focuses on verse. Joining the locals for readings, performances, slams and open mics, jazz, films, workshops and poetry-related art exhibitions, installations and films are a host of local and international wordsmiths.

A evening in the company of stage and screen actor Tom Conti, who has a wealth of experience in the world of theatre to talk about his experiences.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.