Bloody Scotland festival announces line-up

Authors Kate Atkinson, Kathy Reichs and Jo Nesbo will be among those appearing at this year’s Bloody Scotland crime-writing festival in Stirling.

Rebus creator Sir Ian Rankin is the first guest programmer for the festival, which runs in the city from 12 to 14 September.

The festival also includes Horrible Histories author Terry Deary and broadcasters Steph McGovern, Jeremy Vine and Rev Richard Coles.

Sir Ian described the event as “the world’s friendliest and most-inclusive crime fiction festival.”

The author said he had some experience of programming as he had been involved in a small festival in Cromarty.

Sir Ian said: “You get in touch with writers you admire, you say we’ve got a festival going on, would you fancy coming along?

“I’ll be interviewing you on stage, and nobody said, no, which is a real thrill.”

The festival, which began in 2012, takes place in various venues including the Albert Halls, Trinity Church, Central Library and the Golden Lion Hotel

Scottish writers on the line-up include Chris Brookmyre (with his wife Marisa Haetzman as their pseudonym Ambrose Parry), Denise Mina, Graeme Macrae Burnet, Alex Gray, Lin Anderson and Judy Murray.

Fringe events include a “Day of the Deid” procession led by Sir Ian and the winners of the two festival prizes and Sir Ian’s Whisky Night, with songs from James Yorkston and Colin MacIntyre.

Festival director Bob McDevitt said: “It has been an absolute joy working with the legendary Sir Ian Rankin on this year’s programme and I think he has helped to deliver one of our strongest-ever line-ups.”

Alan Bett, head of literature and publishing at Creative Scotland said: “Bloody Scotland provides new Scottish authors the opportunity to launch their careers and build readerships, and for Scotland’s fans of crime fiction, the chance to find their next favourite book.”