 
| 1st Nov 2025 to 2nd Nov 2025 | |
| See event description for details | |
| Robert Burns Birthplace Museum Murdochs Loan Alloway, Ayr KA7 4PQ | |
| £10 / £8 Find Tickets | |
| 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. 
| Find tickets with Eventbrite: | Search now | 
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? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!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 
      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 
      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 
      Join us for an exclusive evening as we celebrate movement specialist Dr Thania Acarón's groundbreaking new book, "Body Questions in Practice: Decision Making through Movement & the Arts”.
READ MORE 
      Come and meet internationally bestselling children's author, Hannah Gold, on Wednesday 5th November, as she signs copies of her thrilling tale of arctic adventure, The Lone Husky!
READ MORE 
      Led by Dr Elspeth Jajdelska, READ WRITE HEAR is a live, hands-on event exploring how reading has been shared, spoken, and shaped by setting, voice, and gesture across time.
READ MORE 
      Join Professor Alice Roberts as she takes us on an investigative journey to establish who spread Christianity, how and why; the story of the fall of an Empire – and the rise of another!
READ MORE 
      Come along to the Institut français d’Écosse on 11th November when Nina Six will be discussing her work and signing copies of her graphic novels.
READ MORE 
      Come along to the Institut français d'Écosse on Wednesday 12th November and meet author Arnaud de La Grange - journalist, UK and Ireland correspondent for Le Figaro, and a writer!
READ MORE 
      Come along to the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Edimburgo on 13th November for the Launch of a new translation of Giovanni Verga’s I Malavoglia, published by Glasgow-based Vagabond Voices!
READ MORE