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Book and arts festival gears up for September return


By Niall Harkiss

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A BOOK and arts festival based in Tain has announced plans for its second year of events.

The St Duthac Book and Arts Festival, which held its first event last year, will run from September 22 – 26 with a varied and exciting programme planned.

A varied and exciting programme is planned with authors, storytellers, musicians, poets and artists from across the area and beyond taking part over the five days of the Festival.
A varied and exciting programme is planned with authors, storytellers, musicians, poets and artists from across the area and beyond taking part over the five days of the Festival.

The festival, which takes its name from the patron saint of the town – St Duthac – is said to be the first of its kind to be held in Tain or the surrounding area.

Festival goers will be invited to attend events over the five day festival with authors, storytellers, musicians, poets and artists from across the area and beyond taking part.

Venues across the Easter Ross peninsula, such as castles, churches, hotels and village halls, will this year play host to award-winning local writers as well as exciting names from further afield.

Family friendly events are also planned, and there will be the welcome return of the hugely popular pop-up-bookshop in Tain.

The festival will feature iconic local tales as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.

To help bring some of the stories to life, there will be walks and talks in several of the stunning and historically important places where the stories are set.

Festival chair Catherine Williams said: "The group has brought together an impressive line-up to take part in this year’s Festival. There is something in the programme of events for everyone and we are thrilled to be part of Museums and Galleries Year of Stories 2022.

"Once again the group is pleased to be working with Nigg Book Fair, whose event takes place on Saturday September 24, and with local schools where authors will once more visit to encourage and entertain pupils and staff."

Marie Christie, head of development at VisitScotland said: "We are delighted to be supporting St Duthac Book and Arts Festival through the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund.

"Events play an important role in our communities as they sustain livelihoods and help to celebrate and promote our unique places, spaces and stories.

"Themed Years are all about collaboration and Museums Galleries Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund and VisitScotland are pleased to work in partnership to create this fund to showcase community stories.

"By supporting events taking place within our communities, including St Duthac Book and Arts Festival, new opportunities with be provided for locals and visitors to come together and find out more about the diverse stories, past and present, that our communities have to share.”

The festival committee has secured funding from a range of bodies to enable the festival to take place, including the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund, Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Fund (through Edderton and Kilmuir and Logie Easter Community Councils), Arnold Clark Community Fund, Balnagown Estates Ltd, North Highland Initiative and Global Energy Group.

Further details of the Festival are expected to be released soon.


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