BOOK A SEAT AT THE BLAIRGOWRIE AND RATTRAY BOOKMARK FESTIVAL!

Image courtesy of Clare McMicking / CraicN Communications

Award-winning writers and household names are set to take to the stage at the popular Blairgowrie and Rattray book festival this month.

The line-up for the 2026 BOOKMARK festival – which takes place over the weekend of October 10-11^th at Blairgowrie Community Campus and is run entirely by volunteers – sees 10 events taking place over two days.

Former BBC radio producer and author Marya Burgess will open the event on the morning of Saturday, October 10^th, with a discussion with writer and BOOKMARK patron Olga Wojtas about the effect of World War II on the people of Poland.

Continuing the theme of the impact of war, Sue Lawrence will talk about her latest novel, Whispers In The Glen, which is set in Glen Clova and tells the story of the resilience of two sisters, who, like other women, were ‘left behind’ during World War II. Sue’s other talents as a prize-winning cook and cookery writer will also be part of this lively conversation.

One of the UK’s most engaging writers and author of numerous best-selling and award-winning novels, Jenny Colgan, will talk about her romantic comedies in a conversation with Kate Foster.

Rosemary Goring, who enthralled BOOKMARK audiences a few years ago talking about Mary Queen of Scots’ ‘Scottish Years’, returns to BOOKMARK with the second part of this significant biography, Exile: The Captive Years.

Saturday’s line-up will close with highly regarded art historian, writer and broadcaster Bendor Grosvenor who will take the audience on a visual journey into the art world.

Philip Paris returns to BOOKMARK to open proceedings on Sunday, October 11^th when he will be talking about the dangerous world of the Covenanters as depicted in his latest book, A Fire In Their Hearts.

Another BOOKMARK favourite, Shona MacLean, returns to BOOKMARK to talk about her new stand-alone novel, The Cromarty Library Circle, with fellow award-winning historical novelist Sean Lusk.

The first of three sessions on Sunday afternoon is a celebration of the great Irish poet and Nobel Prize-winner, Seamus Heaney. Award-winning Scottish poet, writer and musician Don Paterson will discuss the great man’s work in conversation with fellow poet Lisa Brockwell and Gail Wylie.

Co-founder of the crime fiction festival, Bloody Scotland, Alex Gray, will be talking to Scottish crime writer Caro Ramsay about all things crime-related in what promises to be a highly entertaining hour of stories - both real and imagined.

Bringing the 2026 BOOKMARK festival to a close is Sir Tom Devine, described as “the most illustrious Scottish historian of our era” who will be in conversation with BOOKMARK patron Magnus Linklater.

As well as the author sessions, two local writing groups, Perthshire Writers and Nethergate Writers, will be at the festival to talk to any budding keen authors, and Blairgowrie’s Adventure into Books will be running a bookshop at the campus over the course of the weekend. Blairgowrie Library will also be at the festival, showcasing some of the services and initiatives it offers.

What better way for readers, writers, listeners or those who simply enjoy stimulating conversations to spend a weekend?!

Weekend passes for the festival cost £65 and day passes are £40. Tickets for individual events are £12. Passes and tickets can be purchased fromAdventure into Books in Blairgowrie (01250 872852), Rhona Christie (01250 875613 or [email protected]) or online at www.bookmarkblair.com or www.perthshirebox.office.com