Fort William bookshop up for national prize
THE HIGHLAND Bookshop on Fort William’s High Street has been shortlisted for Independent Bookshop of the Year at The British Book Awards, despite having only been open for six months.
As well as titles covering everything from fiction to mountain guides, a focus on community events through author signings, book groups and school visits has put the new business firmly on the awards panel’s radar.
The awards, known as the ‘Nibbies’, have been running since 1990 and previous Scottish winners have included The Highland Bookshop’s sister shop, The Watermill in Aberfeldy, which won the prize in 2009.
After hearing the news of the nomination, the bookshop said it was ‘beyond grateful’.
The Highland Bookshop recently expanded to open The Big Outdoors Lounge on the first floor, stocking Scotland’s largest selection of specialist outdoors books, including climbing guides, technical manuals and maps from around the world. In addition to hosting author events, including visits from Adam Nicolson and Chris Brookmyre, as well as local author Fiona MacBain, The Highland Bookshop has welcomed groups from local primary schools and supported book launches by the local Chamber of Commerce and The Nevis Landscape Partnership.
Other regional finalists at the Nibbies include entries from Edinburgh, Linlithgow and Orkney but Lochaber residents can support their local shop by visiting thebookseller.com and voting for The Highland Bookshop.
The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in May.