Wigtown Book Festival director to step down after 20 years

The director of the annual festival in Scotland’s national book town is to step down after nearly 20 years.

Adrian Turpin first became involved at Wigtown as a volunteer in 2006.

Over his time in charge he has seen the festival expand from three to 10 days and increase its audience – as well as receiving an OBE for services to literature in 2017.

He said that after the “long haul” of rebuilding audiences following the Covid pandemic it felt like the “natural moment to pass on the baton”.

Mr Turpin will step down after this year’s festival – the 20th he will have been involved in.

“Wigtown has given me so much,” he said.

“It’s been a privilege to be part of this unique event and to get to know so many people in this extraordinary community.

“I would like to thank colleagues past and present, volunteers, writers, booksellers and audiences – everyone who has made the festival and Scotland’s book town so vibrant and welcoming.

“With this level of collective support, I’ve no doubt the festival will continue to inspire, surprise and enrich people’s lives.”

Cathy Agnew, who chairs the Wigtown Festival Company, said the growth of the festival was due “in large part” to Mr Turpin’s efforts.

“The high regard in which Wigtown book town and the annual Wigtown Book Festival are held is testament to Adrian’s creative flair and inspiration,” she said.

“He has been the driving force behind the organisation for 20 years and his energy and enthusiasm are infectious.”

Wigtown became Scotland’s national book town in 1998 and the festival began the following year, aimed at attracting visitors and promoting an area facing severe economic decline.

Since then, it has been credited with generating millions of pounds as well as bringing household literary names to a town with a population of under 1,000 people.

This year’s Wigtown Book Festival runs from 26 September to 5 October. The programme will be announced in August.