Book Week brings stories of hope

This year’s programme offers perspectives on resilience, community, and the landscapes that define the region. 

Over the years, Book Week Scotland has deepened its impact on the Highlands and Islands, delivering literary events to even the remotest locations and fostering connections in towns, islands, and communities.

The 2024 programme spotlights regional authors and local libraries as community cornerstones. 65,000 copies of a new free book, Scotland’s Stories: Hope, will be distributed during the week.

It is made up of real-life stories from people across Scotland, including contributions from people in Highlands and Islands. Local writers featured in the Hope book, such as Áine King from Orkney’s story “Dóchas,” highlight the region’s strength and spirit.

Some Book Week Scotland events taking place in the Highlands and Islands are Cove and Kilcreggan Book Festival, Cove Burgh Hall, from November 23-24, and James Oswald will share insights into his crime writing at Dunoon Library on November 23.

Crime author Lin Anderson also teams up with forensic experts to explore the interplay between fact and fiction in crime writing, at ’Forensic Facts Meets Forensic Fiction’ in Campbeltown Library on November 20.