August, 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.

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.

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…

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

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.