BOOKMARK’s big names revealed
Bake Off’s Flora and former MP Alan are on bill
This year’s Blairgowrie, Rattray and the Glens book festival programme was unveiled at a special Taste of BOOKMARK event in Blairgowrie Town Hall on Saturday.
Seven well-known and respected writers will be coming to Blairgowrie in October for the festival, which is now in its fifth year.
Award-winning novelists Christopher Brookmyre and Rachel Crowther, Lin Anderson - the cofounder of the very successful crimewriting festival, Bloody Scotland former MP Alan Johnson and Great British Bake Off contestant Flora Shedden are all on the bill for the autumn event.
And this year’s festival also sees the return of two popular wordsmiths, with Martin Bell OBE and former Edinburgh Makar Ron Butlin both making their second appearances at BOOKMARK.
Announcing the programme, chair of the BOOKMARK festival Janey Lambie said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the line-up for this year’s festival.
“We’ve got quite a few interesting authors lined-up.
“Chris Brookmyre will be opening the festival talking about his latest novel, and emerging author Rachel Crowther will be talking about the complexities of female life.
“We are so pleased to be able to announce that Martin Bell, who was hugely popular when he last appeared at BOOKMARK, is making a return visit to our festival, and that Ron Butlin will also be returning to Blairgowrie.
“And Lin Anderson, Perthshire’s own Flora Sheddon and former MP Alan Johnson all look set to be big draws as well.”
The taste of BOOKMARK launch event also featured award-winning chef and local lad Graeme Pallister, who gave a talk and cookery demonstration at the event.
There was produce from local food producers - including Alison’s Kitchen, Cairn O’Mohr, Drumturk Cheese and Euan McIntyre Berries - at the launch and musical entertainment was provided by Campus Strings, a musical ensemble of pupils from St Stephen’s and Newhill primary schools, led by talented musician Audrey Mattner.
Graeme said: “It was really exciting to be back in my home town and to be invited to discuss my passion for wellbeing and its connection with food - and in particular the efforts of artisan producers in this regard - at this event.
“The BOOKMARK programme looks very exciting and everyone was buzzing about it.
“It’s good to have some big names coming to the area and I’m super-excited for them, it looks as though it’s going to be an awesome weekend.”
Local councillor for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward Tom McEwan was at the launch.
He said: “It was good to be at the launch of another excellent BOOKMARK festival programme, it’s a great event for the area, bringing lots of big-name authors to Cateran country to discuss their work.
Janey added: “Everyone seemed to have a great afternoon, and we sold quite a few tickets for October.
“Hopefully this will get the word out there that it’s going to be another fantastic festival and to make sure you that get your tickets in plenty of time.”
The fifth annual BOOKMARK festival takes place at Blairgowrie Community Campus on October 6 and October 7.
Tickets are available now from Blairgowrie Library, telephone 01250 871305, Waterstones in Perth, telephone 01738 630013 or online at www.bookmarkblair.com.