A Blether O Books: Scotland Through Literature
Join the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum this November as they welcome a selection of authors in this celebration of Scottish literature!
About A Blether O Books: Scotland Through Literature
| 1st Nov 2025 to 2nd Nov 2025 | |
| See event description for details | |
|
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum Murdochs Loan Alloway, Ayr KA7 4PQ what3words location: backup.sleeps.until |
|
| £10 / £8 | |
| Visit the event website here | |
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is proud to present the second annual Blether O' Books, where we are joined by some of Scotland's finest literary minds. With an exciting and varied programme of authors, we are given a window into modern Scottish society.
Saturday 1st November: A Blether O' Books with Anna Groundwater
10.30am
Dr Anna Groundwater contextualises the Scottish past in Connecting Two Millenia of Scotland's History, kicking off A Blether O' Books 2025.
Dr Anna Groundwater is a cultural and social historian of early modern Scotland, currently Principal Curator of Renaissance and Early Modern History at National Museums Scotland. She is the author of Connecting Scotland's History: a Scottish history timeline within 2,000 years of world history (Luath Press, 2025).
Saturday 1st November: A Blether O' Books with Malachy Tallack
12.30pm
In That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz, award-winning author and songwriter Malachy Tallack discusses his novel of the same name. He will also perform songs from the book's accompanying album.
Saturday 1st November: A Blether O' Books with Kirsty Wark
2.30pm
Join Kirsty Wark, renowned Scottish author and broadcaster for In Conversation with Kirsty Wark in which she discusses her own novels, and what fiction impacted on her and her audience.
Kirsty Wark has built up a reputation as one of the UK's most formidable and versatile television journalists. She is best known as an anchor on the BBC's flagship News and Current Affairs show Newsnight. Kirsty has written two novels - The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle and The House by the Loch - both published by Two Roads. She is currently writing her third novel.
Sunday 2nd November: A Blether O' Books with Lesley Riddoch
10.30am
Lesley Riddoch, award winning broadcaster and journalist, considers "Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe?"
Lesley Riddoch has written five books - Huts: A Place Beyond, McSmorgasbord, Riddoch On The Outer Hebrides, Blossom: What Scotland Needs To Flourish, Thrive: The Freedom To Flourish and co-produced/presented six films (the latest about Denmark was being screened in early 2024). The latest film, plus others about Norway, Faroes, Iceland, Estonia and the Declaration of Arbroath, are available online.
Sunday 2nd November: A Blether O' Books with Lin Anderson
12.30pm
Forensic Fact Meets Fiction in this event with Lin Anderson, best selling author of the Dr Rhona MacLeod series of forensic thrillers.
Lin regularly chairs events at literary and science festivals and conferences, and gives talks on Forensic Fact Meets Forensic Fiction entertaining audiences with amazing true-crime anecdotes, and giving unique insights into her world of story-telling.
Sunday 2nd November: A Blether O' Books with Gerda Stevenson
2.30pm
Gerda Stevenson, award-winning writer/actor/director/singer-songwriter, presents her wide-ranging work in Consider the Quines, including her celebrated book QUINES: Poems in tribute to Women of Scotland, as well as songs associated with these remarkable quines.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Highlight Talks
On selected days throughout the year the team at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and volunteers hold a Highlight Talk exploring the life and works of Robert Burns!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Palace Page Turners
Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
READ MORE
German Rhyme Time for Under 5s
You are warmly invited to join us at the German Church for our Rhyme Time for Under 5s, once a month during term time!
READ MORE
Launching Queer Georgians at The Georgian House
Lighthouse Bookshop is bringing a sumptuous slice of queer history to life this September as they launch Anthony Delany's Queer Georgians at Edinburgh's Georgian House on 16th September!
READ MORE
4,4,4&2: The Launch!
Join boom saloon at Custom House to celebrate the launch of the finale of our work to rewrite the story of dementia in a publishing world first!
READ MORE
Hold Fast, An Evening with Catherine Simpson
Join Catherine Simpson on Thursday 18th September at Waterstones Edinburgh West End as she shares her unforgettable story, Hold Fast!
READ MORE
Poetry Book Launch: Umbellifire by Julie Sheridan
Join the publishers Drunk Muse Press to celebrate the launch of Umbellifire, the debut collection of Barcelona-based Scottish poet Julie Sheridan.
READ MORE
By the Beach Writing Retreat
Join Women Who Write Edinburgh for a full-day writing retreat for women and non-binary writers, with writing sprints, tea and coffee in a comfy Edinburgh co-working space.
READ MORE
An Evening with Carlo Rovelli
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics with an evening of science, art and music on Tuesday 23rd September at McEwan Hall!
READ MORE
Philip Paris: Book Talk and Signing
Join us at Greyfriars Kirk on 25th September for a morning with author Philip Paris to hear from him about his latest novel, the history of the Covenanters and the close connections with the Kirk!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links