The latest chapter of Perthshire’s Bookmark festival was a resounding success, drawing in hundreds of attendees at Blairgowrie Community Campus. The festival, now in its 12th edition, showcased 11 events over October 5 and 6, featuring a diverse lineup of award-winning writers, well-known personalities, and emerging talents.
The festival kicked off with a captivating discussion with award-winning author and illustrator Natalie Russell, followed by an insightful conversation with adventurer Mollie Hughes about her expeditions in Antarctica and Everest. Fiction writers Allan Radcliffe and Zoë Strachan delved into multi-generational family dynamics, while acclaimed author Chris Whitaker explored trauma and writing as a form of therapy with DV Bishop. The first day concluded with Laura Shepherd-Robinson discussing her latest novel.
Sunday commenced with a tribute to Perthshire wordsmith William Soutar, followed by engaging sessions with various authors such as Karen Campbell, SG MacLean, and Sally Magnusson discussing their works and research in historical fiction. Notable writer Jamie Jauncey reflected on his memoir, and Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzmann closed the festival with a discussion on their crime thriller series.
Festival committee chair Gail expressed her delight at the weekend’s success, noting the engaging discussions, thoughtful questions from the audience, and the generosity of the participating writers. The festival also announced the winner of the 2024 Bookmark Book of the Year Award and the Christine Findlay Prize recipients from Blairgowrie High School.
In addition to author sessions, Perthshire Writers and Nethergate Writers engaged with aspiring authors, and Adventure into Books operated a bustling bookshop throughout the event. The festival received support from sponsors, volunteers, and technical teams, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all attendees.
As this year’s chapter of Bookmark came to a close, plans were announced for a forthcoming event in November and a return in 2025. For more details, visit www.bookmarkblair.com.