CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

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!

A Blether O Books: Scotland Through 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.

Sponsored Links

St Mary's Music School
Fayre Play
Escape The Past
ChangeWorks
Renfrewshire Council

Other Events at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

Highlight Talks

Selected dates between 11th September 2024 - 18th June 2025

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 MORE

Sponsored Links

Scottish Refugee Council
Escape The Past
MNB
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

Similar events you might like...

Palace Page Turners

Palace Page Turners

Selected dates between 7th March 2025 - 5th December 2025

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
Tim Key: L.A. Baby! Book Tour

Tim Key: L.A. Baby! Book Tour

17th June 2025

TIM KEY embarks on a low-grade book tour to celebrate the publication of his latest anthology of poems: L.A. Baby! Catch him at Monkey Barrel Comedy on Tuesday 17th June!

READ MORE
Chiara Valerio on The Little I Knew

Chiara Valerio on The Little I Knew

19th June 2025

Join Chiara Valerio at Topping & Company Booksellers on 19th June to celebrate the English language publication of her bestselling novel 'The Little I Knew'.

READ MORE
A Ceilidh for David

A Ceilidh for David

21st June 2025

Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Saturday 21st June for a special midsummer night to celebrate David Campbell - an outstanding figure in Scottish and international storytelling.

READ MORE
A Tea Party with Anna James

A Tea Party with Anna James

29th June 2025

Join bestselling author, Anna James on Sunday 29th June at 2pm, as we celebrate the publication of her enchanting reimagining of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice With a Why.

READ MORE
An Evening with V.E. Schwab

An Evening with V.E. Schwab

30th June 2025

Join The Portobello Bookshop in welcoming V.E. Schwab to the Traverse Theatre to celebrate the launch of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.

READ MORE
An Evening with Lindsey Kelk and Julie Soto

An Evening with Lindsey Kelk and Julie Soto

3rd July 2025

Waterstones Edinburgh West End is delighted to be joined by Lindsey Kelk and Julie Soto on Thursday 3rd July, as they talk about their sensationally spellbinding works.

READ MORE
An evening with Noraly Schoenmaker

An evening with Noraly Schoenmaker

8th July 2025

Join Noraly Schoenmaker on Tuesday 8th July at Waterstones Edinburgh West End, as she talks about her truly inspiring story, Free Ride!

READ MORE
William Dalrymple - How Ancient India Transformed the World

William Dalrymple - How Ancient India Transformed the World

8th July 2025

Don't miss this chance to hear William Dalrymple tell the story of how India became the great intellectual and philosophical superpower of ancient Asia.

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

St Mary's Music School
Fayre Play
Escape The Past
ChangeWorks
Renfrewshire Council
Scottish Refugee Council
Escape The Past
MNB
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld
ATG

Popular Events

Hidden Door Festival 2025
Hidden Door is taking over The Paper Factory, the biggest venue to date, featuring five full nights of music, visual art, dance, spoken word and everything in between.
Square Cinema
Prep your picnic blankets and get ready to enjoy a FREE outdoor cinema experience from 13th - 15th June 2025, in the heart of Edinburgh City Centre.
How to draw your dragon
Discover a wealth of dragons from around the world in this fun family workshop at the National Library of Scotland on Saturday 19th July!
The Weaving Project Exhibition
Come along to The Weaving Project Exhibition with it's selection of Scandi handwoven rugs, cushions, scarves and more for sale, along with demonstrations of band and loom weaving.
Thunderbirds: International Rescue Recruiting
Join Patchwork Bear Events on 29th June at Meadowbank Sports Centre and learn how to save the world with Thunderbirds: International Rescue!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall