August, Books

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.

Scroobius Pip presents a unique mix of humour and heart-wrenching explorations of the human condition as he performs his astonishingly successful spoken word show one last time at the Fringe. Also, there's a bar. Splendid.

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…

Based on Beckett’s trilogy of novels – Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnamable – this one-man show performed by celebrated Beckett interpreter Barry McGovern brings together three monologues that unify the central characters of each novel, revealing successively deepening layers of reflection and emotion. Firstly there is…

A member of staff talks about Hornby Dublo model railway toys and other model making, followed by an optional light lunch in the tearoom.

Two of the pillars of contemporary music come together for an intimate evening of poetry, music and song in tribute to their friend, the great Beat Generation poet Allen Ginsberg. Punk poet and provocateur Patti Smith performs both her own and Ginsberg’s poetry, with accompaniment and solo pieces for piano from founding…

The English author discusses her new novel, which follows up the best-selling The Flowers of the Field.

A monthly get-together for book worms, with a different title to discuss each time.

A look at the life of the mountaineer and volcanologist, who travelled the world exploring weird and wonderful landscapes and meeting the indigenous peoples of far-away communities.

A tour looking at the US aircraft flown from RAF Duxford and other USAAF stations in East Anglia during the World War Two.

The former politician, who joined the old Conservative party in 1964, is out in and about in support of her new autobiography.

Conceptual text-based work from the New York-based artist, concentrating on the relationship between the artwork and the viewer, and exploring the notion of language as sculpture.

A variety of activities which include making bird badges and finger print birds, creating bird collages and taking an explorative bird themed trail.

A meeting of Sutton House's book group in Bryck Place cafe.

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.

Slimbridge staff talk about cranes and reveal how they are working to breed and release back into the wild these birds which have been extinct in the UK for over 300 years.

Interactive storytelling session via a large screen.