The returning St Duthac Book And Arts Festival– bringing local and visiting writers to Tain from September 21 to 28 – this week put tickets on sale

Tickets are now on sale for the St Duthac Book and Arts Festival which for its second year has a mix of local writers plus guests such as BBC correspondent and broadcaster James Naughtie, award-winning Highland writer Cal Flyn, writer and storyteller Jess Smith, Hamish MacDonald as the festival’s roving poet and Paul Murton – writer, television producer and director – known for his Grand Tours television series.

Running from September 21-28, the festival brings together events for book, arts and heritage lovers, including music, art, and writers of fiction, poetry and non-fiction.

The festival will launch on September 21 at the Pop-Up Bookshop which returns – this year in the Clan Ross Room at the Royal Hotel, Tain.

The bookstore will remain open throughout the festival.

There are some unusual events this year, one of the most intriguing maybe being Trial By Jury at Tain Sheriff Court on Saturday, September 24.

Writer Mark Bridgeman will present a real-life murder case in which the audience will become the jury. After hearing the case for the prosecution and defence, they will be asked to consider their verdict – will they send a man to the gallows? There is a prize for the winner, the actual verdict will be revealed and there will be the chance to ask the writer questions in a Q&A that will follow.

The crime worlds of the Scotland-wide writers in the Caledonia Crime Collective will be revealed – that is GR Halliday, Andrew Greig, Allan Martin, JD Whitelaw, Emma Christie, Marion Todd, and Deborah Masson.

There will also be the inside track for would-be writers from successful crime writer Margaret Kirk on how to succeed in the publishing world. Fellow Highland crime writer Neil Lancaster will talk about his Max Criagie series. Thurso vet Guy Gordon will talk about his book, following Channel 5 series The Highland Vet, in which he features.

There are three events focusing on poetry from Highland poets Aoife Lyall, Mandy Haggith and James Ross.

Some more of the many activities and events includes going on photographic walks, learning horrible histories, jumping and drumming at the amazing Drumfun for kids and relaxing with the City Jazz Quartet for an evening of entertainment.

On the Monday, there will also be a half-day event at the spectacular Balnagown Estate, featuring storyteller Bob Pegg.

The book and arts festival takes its name from the Patron Saint of Tain, St Duthac,

And it returns after last year’s debut event to focus on Scotland’s oldest Royal Burgh, Tain and the surrounding communities, to celebrate their unique heritage as well as the contemporary artists and authors who live there.

The planned programme of events will take audiences on a journey across the peninsula, allowing people to immerse themselves in the written and spoken word through author events, workshops, arts and heritage trails and the pop-up bookshop.

For the complete line-up and with tickets on sale, head to the website: stduthacbookfest.com You can also buy tickets from the TDDT (Tain & District Development Trust) office in Tain.

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