A glass act for EK firm
A Bloody good prize offering
ANDREA LAMBROU
Award-winning East Kilbride glassmaker Glencairn Crystal is to sponsor two Bloody Scotland crime writing awards with its famous whisky glass.
The world famous Glencairn Glass will sponsor both the 2020 McIIvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year, and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year.
Both of the prestigious literary prizes will be awarded as part of the annual Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival, taking place from September 18-20.
Based in Stirling, Bloody Scotland has brought hundreds of new and established crime writers to the stage since 2012, with exciting events covering a range of criminal subjects from fictional forensics and psychological thrillers to tartan noir and cosy crime.
The McIlvanney Prize, in memory of William McIlvanney (the crime-writing ‘Godfather of Tartan Noir’) is Bloody Scotland’s annual prize awarded to the best Scottish crime book of the year with over sixty entries received for 2020.
In 2019 Bloody Scotland also introduced a new prize to recognise the quality in new talent blossoming within crime writing – the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year.
Glencairn Crystal has produced the decanter for the winner of The McIlvanney Prize over many years, so it was a natural partnership for the company to come on board as sponsors of the prizes in their entirety.
Created by Glencairn Crystal, the Glencairn Glass is the world’s favourite whisky glass and the official glass for whisky, endorsed by the Scotch Whisky Association.
Sponsoring the Bloody Scotland literary awards is the perfect partnership for the family run team at Langlands-based Glencairn who pride themselves on celebrating passion, hard work and creativity in every aspect of their business.
Kirsty Nicholson, Glencairn’s design and marketing manager said: “As a Scottish family-owned company we are excited and proud to be involved with such prestigious prizes that both celebrate and reward such a rich and talented tradition as Scottish crime fiction.
“Like Scottish crime writing, the Glencairn Glass is uniquely Scottish with a truly global appeal. We look forward to a great working relationship with Bloody Scotland and would like to wish all the authors who have entered the best of luck.”
Bob McDevitt, festival director, said: “It’s great to see that in this time of great uncertainty, the Bloody Scotland prizes have attracted another great crop of Scottish crime novels for readers to escape into.
“I’m also really pleased to welcome Glencairn Crystal on board as a sponsor of the prizes this year and look forward to working with them in the future.”
The winner of the Scottish Crime Book of the Year will be awarded The McIlvanney Prize on Friday, September 18.
The award recognises excellence in Scottish crime writing, includes a prize of £1000, a Glencairn Crystal Decanter and nationwide promotion in Waterstones.
The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize will receive £500 and a Glencairn Star Trophy.