Unmissable book festivals in Scotland

Reading may be a solitary activity, but going to a book festival offers a unique chance to connect with authors and other readers through dialogue, debate, and shared passion. What’s more, research has shown that book festivals offer a range of benefits to society, culture and the economy(this link will open in a new window). 

Here in Scotland, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to book festivals. From the Borders to the Hebrides and everywhere in between, the calendar of annual literary events is jam-packed, spanning genre, audience and format. Read on to discover some of our favourites.

General literature festivals

Paisley Book Festival, May

Held in the majestic Paisley Town Hall, this book festival’s talks and workshops showcase some of the best contemporary writers from Scotland and beyond.

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Borders Book Festival, June

Gathering in the picturesque Harmony Gardens in Melrose, book lovers can enjoy four days of talks, comedy and live music.

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Book Week Scotland, June

The celebration of books and reading that comes to you. Run by Scottish Book Trust in partnership with libraries and organisations, Book Week Scotland brings a whole programme of bookish fun to venues up and down the country. It will take place on 14 –20 June 2027.

Find out more about Book Week Scotland

Edinburgh International Book Festival, August

When you think of literary festivals in Scotland, this might be the first one to come to mind. Spanning two weeks, it hosts a showstopping lineup of authors and speakers in the heart of the capital.

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Wigtown Book Festival, September

An annual festival bringing a whole host of talks and workshops on literature, music, film, theatre, arts and crafts to Scotland’s National Book Town.

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Aye Write, Glasgow, November

A celebration of books and literature bringing together established writers with the next generation of talent.

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Pentlands Book Festival, November

Taking place beside the Pentland hills near Edinburgh, this annual volunteer run festival includes talks with authors held in Currie and Colinton Libraries and various other venues locally.

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Genre festivals

Granite Noir, Aberdeen, February (Crime)

Steeped in history and atmosphere, Scotland’s Granite City makes the perfect backdrop for this annual festival that celebrates crime and mystery writing in all its forms. 

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Boswell Book Festival, May (Biography and memoir)

Held at the stunning Dumfries House in Ayrshire, this is the world’s only festival of biography and memoir, having previously hosted the likes of Judy Dench, Maggie O’Farrell and Andrew O’Hagan. 

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Cromarty Crime & Thrillers Weekend, May (Crime)

Each May, the Highland seaside town hosts a thrilling festival with a variety of exciting talks and panels featuring exciting voices in crime writing. 

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CYMERA Festival, June (Sci-fi and fantasy)

Scotland’s science fiction, fantasy and horror writing festival takes place in Edinburgh and online each June.

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Book Week Scotland, June

Many events focused on a particular genre are held across the country during Book Week Scotland (14 –20 June 2027). Once the programme is launched, you can use the filters to search for the kind of event you’re looking for.

Find out more about Book Week Scotland

Shetland Noir, June (Crime)

What better place to celebrate crime writing than the setting of Ann Cleeves’ world-famous Shetland novels? This annual festival on Scotland’s northernmost archipelago has a packed programme of author talks, workshops, panel discussions and more.

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Bute Noir, August (Crime)

Held at the imposing Glenburn Hotel, Bute Noir brings the leading voices in international crime writing to one of Scotland’s most easily accessible islands – just a 35 minute ferry ride from the mainland. 

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Bloody Scotland, September (Crime)

It wouldn’t be a list of literary festivals in Scotland without a special mention of crime book festivals. Bloody Scotland is the big one, boasting an impressive line-up of crime writers from Scotland and beyond.

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Island book festivals

Getting tickets for a book festival is a brilliant excuse to take a trip to one of Scotland’s beautiful Western Isles. 

Colonsay Book Festival, April

For its annual celebration of literature, an impressive line-up of writers venture to this small island which only has around 120 permanent residents.

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Islay Book Festival, August

On an island best known for its whisky, the Islay Book Festival brings bestselling authors, poets and storytellers to its shores for a jam-packed four-day programme.

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Tobermory Book Festival, October

The festival attracts visitors from around the Isle of Mull and beyond for a series of headline events and relaxed, sociable meals with authors. 

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Faclan: The Hebridean Book Festival, Stornoway, October

Held to mark the autumn equinox and the Celtic festival of Samhain, Faclan has hosted significant literary figures over the years, from Richard Dawkins to Julia Donaldson. 

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Poetry festivals

StAnza, St Andrews, March

Held in venues around St Andrews, StAnza has a lively programme of events celebrating Scottish and international poetry, spoken word, visual art and more.

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Book Week Scotland, June

Poetry-focused events are held across the country each year during Book Week Scotland (14 –20 June 2027) – just use the filters on our events listing page to find them.

Find out more about Book Week Scotland

Push the Boat Out Festival, Edinburgh, November

This gathering celebrates poetry in all its forms, challenging perceptions of what poetry is and who it is for. 

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Family-friendly festivals

If you have wee ones who need to be kept entertained, many of the festivals on this list are super family-friendly with events for all ages. Some even run a separate festival just for kids. 

Book Week Scotland, across Scotland, June

Many events held during Book Week Scotland (14 –20 June 2027) are fun for all the family – you can use the age group filter on our events listing page to find one that’s right for you.

Find out more about Book Week Scotland

Accessible Book & Story Festival, Edinburgh and across Scotland, September

Run by My Kind of Book(this link will open in a new window), the Accessible Book & Story Festival celebrates books and stories for children with additional needs. Events are held at the Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, and across Scotland with its outreach programme for children and adults.

Find out more about the Accessible Book & Story Festival(this link will open in a new window)

Wee Write, Glasgow, November

We Write is a sister event to Glasgow’s Aye Write festival, hosting a fun family day at the Mitchell Library, with events for everyone from babies and toddlers to children and teens. 

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Have we missed one of your favourite Scottish book festivals? Email [email protected](this link will open in a new window) and tell us about it!

Looking for even more book festivals in Scotland? Explore Literature Alliance Scotland’s handy calendar(this link will open in a new window).