Book Festivals

Scotland hosts a wide variety of literary festivals up and down the country from the Borders to the Scottish Highlands. We hope you will be tempted to book a stay at one of Scotland's Best B&Bs to enjoy a cultural break while sampling local food and hospitality.

Perhaps you have been inspired to visit Scotland by reading Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books. We're sure you won't be disappointed! Here's our recommendations for some of the great book festivals around Scotland and where you can stay at members of Scotland's Best B&Bs.

Winter Words    
Pitlochry Festival Theatre    
9 - 12 February 2023    
This annual literary festival in Perthshire showcases a wide range of authors, playwrights, poets, adventurers and broadcasters.

Granite Noir    
23 - 26 February 2023, Aberdeen    
Aberdeen’s book festival dedicated to crime fiction and thrillers including many special events such as writing workshops, film nights, music, etc.

StAnza: Scotland's International Poetry Festival    
9 - 12 March 2023 in St Andrews, Fife    
Nearby B&Bs - Tarskavaig Bed and Breakfast by St Andrews, Craighall Steading in Ceres, Newton Farm by Inverarity.

Aye Write! Glasgow's Book Festival    
tbc March 2023    
A wide-ranging programme of events at Glasgow's iconic Mitchell Library.

Crime & Thriller Festival    
21 - 23 April 2023, Cromarty, Highlands    
A thrilling & suspenseful weekend book festival with many guests and novellists in this historic town on the Black Isle by the Moray Firth.    
Nearby B&Bs - Home Farm at Muir of Ord, White Rose Tower near Invergordon

Ullapool Book Festival    
5 - 6 May 2023    
This is an intimate and welcoming literary festival in this former fishing village on the shores of Loch Broom in the Scottish Highlands.

Boswell Book Festival    
12 - 14 May 2023, Dumfries House, Cumnock, East Ayrshire    
This Scottish cultural event is the world's only festival of biography and memoir. Named after the Ayrshire writer James Boswell, this festival mixes Scottish history and tradition with contemporary culture.    
Nearby B&B - Ayrs and Graces B&B near Ayr

Borders Book Festival    
15 - 18 June 2023, Scottish Borders    
Usually held in June in Melrose, but the festival has been moved to Abbotsford House in November 2021 as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations for Sir Walter Scott. A wonderful few days of talks, discussions, food & drink, and more for all the family.    
Nearby B&Bs - Mill House near Kelso.

ButeNoir    
tbc end July 2023    
Isle of Bute's crime writing festival.

Edinburgh International Book Festival    
12 - 28 August 2023    
From politics to comics and graphic novels, from feminism to the environment, from health to storytelling, this is the festival with something for everyone!    
Nearby B&Bs: Arden Country House near Linlithgow

Beyond Borders International Festival    
tbc end August 2023, Traquair House, Innerleithen near Peebles    
Cultural festival in the Scottish Borders including literature, performing arts, visual arts, heritage, film, politics and dialogue.    
Nearby B&Bs - Mill House near Kelso

Three Lochs Book & Arts Festival    
Strontian, West Highlands    
This biennial book and arts festival in Ardnamurchan will be back in August 2023.

Nairn Book and Arts Festival    
31 August - 3 September 2023    
A varied programme including authors, workshops, music, theatre, photography, art exhibitions and more. Now in its 17th year. An exciting arts programme to suit every taste.    
Nearby B&Bs - Inverness House and Ardmeanach House in Inverness.

Bloody Scotland    
15 - 17 September 2023, Stirling    
Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival which aims to be entertaining as well as informative, covering a range of criminal subjects from fictional forensics, psychological thrillers, tartan noir, cosy crime and many more. It all kicks off with a gala night and torchlight procession.    
Nearby B&B - Garvally House in Alloa

Wigtown Book Festival    
22 September - 1 October 2023, Dumfries & Galloway    
The Lowlands have their own romance, giving birth to many of the writers, thinkers, warriors, explorers and inventors who have helped to shape the modern world. Hear their stories and explore the link between Galloway's stunning Lowland landscape and its people; drop in for a dram at Scotland's most southerly distillery and discover the lands where Robert the Bruce earned his spurs. Celebrating Scotland's National Book Town.    
Nearby B&Bs - Nithbank Country Estate

NessBookFest    
28 - 30 September 2023, Inverness    
Lots of authors will be contributing through this long weekend in Inverness at this free annual festival. This year, the theme is 'FUTURE'.    
Nearby B&Bs - Inverness House, Ardmeanach House, Inverness

Bookmark    
7 - 8 October 2023, Perthshire    
Book festival in Blairgowrie, Rattray and The Glens of East Perthshire with authors, commentators and speakers.    
Nearby B&Bs - Craigellie House, near Blairgowrie, Northlands Bed and Breakfast in Pitlochry

Scottish International Storytelling Festival    
tbc October 2023, Edinburgh    
Nearby B&Bs: Arden Country House near Linlithgow

Tarbert Book Festival    
tbc late October 2023, Tarbert, Kintyre    
Events for all ages at this local book festival on the Kintyre peninsula

John O'Groats Book Festival    
tbc October 2023, Caithness    
Various venues in John O'Groats. The fourth book festival in this village in the far north of Scotland.    
Nearby B&Bs - Auld Post Office B&B, Sharvedda

West Over Sea    
27 -28 October 2023    
The Tobermory Book Festival on the Isle of Mull.

A Write Highland Hoolie    
10 - 12 November 2023, Mallaig, West Highlands    
The annual Mallaig book festival returns for 2023 and will feature some well-known local and national names.

Book Week Scotland    
13 - 19 November 2023    
Events across Scotland

Push the Boat out - Edinburgh's International Poetry Festival    
24 -26 November 2023    
A new festival with a mix of poetry, spoken word, live music, songwriting, film, gaming, visual art and more!     
Nearby B&Bs: Arden Country House near Linlithgow