Shirley McKay

Now uploaded to Short Stories, the text of  'A Pie and a Pint in 16th century Scotland  -  food and drink in the Hew Cullan stories,' delivered at the Byre Theatre, St Andrews, as part of last October's St Andrews Literature live festival. Very much hoping to see the Byre up and running once again, and soon!

https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheByreTheatre

This month sees the opening of Scotland's second history festival - 'over 200 events in 18 days' in various Edinburgh venues. 'History like you've never heard it before' for all interests and ages, including themed tours of the capital. 

Programme and full details here of a fantastic line up:

http://www.historyfest.co.uk/

I will be taking part with Margaret Skea (whose first novel, Turn of the Tide, is due out this month) in a discussion 'Writing History' at Blackwell's on Wednesday November 21st at 6 pm. The event is free but ticketed. Tickets are available from Blackwell’s Bookshop on 0131 622 8222 or by emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk. Full details on the website. Do please come along!

This year's Fife Bookfest takes place at the Music Institute,  Dunfermline East Port,  from September 29th to October 5th, a week of art, music, film, prose and poetry with a wide range of events for all ages, celebrating Fife's rich cultural heritage. I have been asked to participate in a writers' workshop on Saturday 29th at 2.30 pm, and am hugely looking forward to it. More details and full programme here.

Meanwhile, preparations for next weekend's Bloody Scotland crimefest in Stirling have reached fever pitch, the place to be seen according to Grazia magazine last week -  apparently among their 10 'hot things to do!'

There's a real buzz about this, not to be missed. Lots to attract and interest on their fantastic website, one of the best I've seen, and  if you can't make the crimefest, still worth a look.

http://www.bloodyscotland.com/