Start a new chapter over the holidays
Sarah Devine takes inspiration from Scotland’s most famous authors to plot her vacation itinerary
Scotland’s capital has inspired some of the world’s best loved writers, including JK Rowling, who famously wrote the Harry Potter series in many of the city’s cafés.
It is therefore fitting that, for the last 35 years, thousands of writers and book lovers from around the world have gathered in the city for the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
This year’s programme, which runs from 11 to 27 August, includes more than 900 authors, illustrators and musicians.
While in the city, visitors can gain an insight into some of Scotland’s most famous authors at the Writers’ Museum or browse the many bookshops while winding down Victoria Street and along West Port, via the Grassmarket.
South of Edinburgh, at Innerleithen, the twoday Beyond Borders International Festival, which aims to reduce conflict through literature, arts and film, will take place in the gorgeous grounds of Traquair House from 25 August.
There a former editor of The Scotsman, Magnus Linklater, will discuss his book Great Scottish Lives, while writers Stuart Kelly and Richard Holloway will talk about their latest works.
Just a half-hour drive away, the life of Sir Walter Scott can be explored at his 19th-century home, Abbotsford, near Melrose.
Those keen on crime should head west to the Isle of Bute where, between 3 and 5 August, Alex Gray and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, among others, will host events at the third Bute Noir Crime Writing Festival.
Visitors will have the opportunity to mingle with writers at Rothesay’s cosy Black Bull Inn for the festival’s Noir at the Bar event, while walking tours of the island, taking in dramatic views over the Firth of Clyde, will aim to inspire. Glasgow is home to the Mitchell Library, a quintessential visit for any book lover. Opened in 1911, the Baroque-style building contains five floors of books, photographs and exhibitions as well as a café and spaces to curl up with a coffee and a book.
Each week in August, the staff hold #Mitchellcurious: Postcards from the Past at lunchtime, when visitors can see historic items from the library’s collections, including books, photographs and journals.
“The fairest portion of the northern kingdom,” as Sir Walter Scott described the Perthshire countryside, is a great place for those with young children. The area’s scenery and wildlife inspired Beatrix Potter’s tales of Peter Rabbit and his friends.
At Dunkeld, the Beatrix Potter Garden and Exhibition at Birnam Arts Centre is an ideal family day out, with interactive exhibits, a recreated Victorian classroom, activity area and idyllic garden, featuring Mrs Tiggy-winkle’s house.
The area is home to rolling hills, some of Europe’s more remarkable trees, delightful woodland walks and a wealth of attractions, including castles, distilleries, lochs and museums.
Further north in Aberdeenshire’s Laurencekirk, the Lewis Grassic Gibbon Centre includes an exhibition about the author famed for his 1932 novel Sunset Song.
It includes a café serving homemade meals and a gift shop offering local crafts.
It is just a 20-minute drive from Stonehaven and 15 minutes from St Cyrus, with both offering sandy beaches and seaside activities.
With more than 260 castles, 165 miles of coast and 55 golf courses, the area has something for everyone – not just the well-read tourists.