Crime wave is set to sweep Fort William

CRIME writers will be hiking from Fort William to Glencoe to mark an international festival – and to get their creative juices flowing.

Christopher Brookmyre along with Doug Johnstone, Craig Robertson, Gordon J Brown and Matt Bendoris are marking the ‘Bloody Scotland’ festival by appearing at Fort William Library on June 10 at 7.30pm.

The authors will also take on the Caledo nian Challenge, ‘The 24’, hike from Fort William to Glencoe in celebration of the 2016 programme. Chris Brookmyre, who is a best-selling author, said: ‘It started off with a casual suggestion just before Christmas and somehow I seem to be doing it. I do a lot of walking while I’m working on a book, so I’m hoping that clocking up 24 miles against spectacular backdrops provides a lot of fuel for the creative engine. As we head towards the finish line in Glencoe, we will be passing through one of 17th- century Scotland’s most notorious crime scenes.’ Staff at Lochaber Libraries say they have been trying to pin down Christopher for an event since the Read Lochaber Festival in 2014 and this has fitted in perfectly, with the added bonus of four more popular crime authors dropping by too. Amy McDougall, network librarian, said: ‘ We’re very excited to be hosting a Bloody Scotland event in Fort William Library. It really is a coup for Lochaber. ‘Crime novels are some of our most popular items and we are very lucky to have five of the best names in Scottish crime fiction holding an event in Fort William Library.’ Tickets will be available from every Lochaber Library and are on a first come, first served basis. For more information drop into your local library or phone Fort William Library on 01397 702553.