Bloody Scotland crime writing festival line-up unveiled with Sir Ian Rankin at helm
Authors Kate Atkinson, Kathy Reichs and Jo Nesbo are set to grace an "incredibly welcoming" crime writing festival, with Sir Ian Rankin at the helm as guest programmer.
The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival's lineup, revealed on Thursday, boasts names like Horrible Histories' Terry Deary, comedian Adam Kay, and broadcasters Steph McGovern, Jeremy Vine, and the Rev Richard Coles.
Sir Ian, famed for creating detective John Rebus, is the inaugural guest programmer for the event scheduled to take place in Stirling this September.
In homage to his iconic character, the festival will feature James McPherson, known for his role as Mike Jardine in Taggart and as the voice of the Rebus audiobooks, alongside former Coronation Street actor Gray O'Brien, who recently portrayed Rebus on stage.
Scottish writers on the line-up include Chris Brookmyre (with Marisa Haetzman as Ambrose Parry), Denise Mina, Graeme Macrae Burnet, Alex Gray, Lin Anderson and Judy Murray.
Sir Ian shared his excitement about programming, drawing from his experience with a smaller festival in Cromarty, expressing delight that all invited writers accepted the invitation. He said: "You get in touch with writers you admire, you say we've got a festival going on, would you fancy coming along? I'll be interviewing you on stage, and nobody said, no, which is a real thrill.
"So we've got everybody from Philippe Sands, who's a human rights lawyer, talking about human rights violations inSouth America, to Kate Atkinson talking aboutEdinburghand other things as well, Kathy Reichs coming from North America.
"We've got a whisky and music night, which will be fantastic with two musicians who've turned their hands to writing books, and a bunch of other stuff besides."
Sir Ian said the festival has a broad spectrum of authors, from cosy to "hard-boiled" crime writers, as well as non-fiction authors. He added: "It's an incredibly welcoming festival. The fans, the readers, the authors all mingle. There's no differentiation between them because all the authors are also fans."
Festival director Bob McDevitt said: "It has been an absolute joy working with the legendary Sir Ian Rankin on this year's programme and I think he has helped to deliver one of our strongest-ever line-ups.
"There are so many treats in store for our audiences this year, from established names writing at the very top of their game to brand new voices bringing a different perspective to the crime genre – roll on September."
Sir Ian Rankin, appearing alongside the aforementioned authors, includes actor Joey Batey of The Witcher, Chris Chibnall, creator and writer of Broadchurch, and American crime writer Laura Lippman, who will take the stage with Mark Billingham.
Fringeevents at the festival this year will include a "Day of the Deid" procession led by Sir Ian and the winners of the two prizes, and Sir Ian's Whisky Night with songs from James Yorkston and Colin MacIntyre.
Alan Bett, head of literature and publishing at Creative Scotland, praised the festival saying: "Bloody Scotland brings the big names of crime writing to Stirling each year, and 2025 offers an incredible list of authors, enhanced by Ian Rankin's role as guest programmer.
"Of huge importance is the platforming of emergent writers. Bloody Scotland provides new Scottish authors the opportunity to launch their careers and build readerships, and for Scotland's fans of crime fiction, the chance to find their next favourite book."
Due to run at various locations around the city, including the Albert Halls, Trinity Church, Central Library and The Golden Lion Hotel, the event takes place from September 12-14 and the festival promises much for literary enthusiasts.
Commenting on the festival's charm and reputation, Sir Ian previously shared: "Bloody Scotland manages to remain the world's friendliest and most inclusive crime fiction festival while also attracting the biggest and brightest names in the business to the city of Stirling. It's epic."
Long-time contributor to Bloody Scotland since its founding, Sir Ian has not only captained the national crime writers' football team but also historically led the festival's torchlight procession that winds through Stirling.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
40 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Donald Trump breaks his silence after landing in Prestwick as he hails Scottish celebrity
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump hailed 007 legend Sir Sean Connery for helping him build his golf courses moments after landing in Scotland tonight. The president of the free world wasted no time in name-dropping the acting legend as he stepped off the flight from the States. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he disembarks from Air Force One at Prestwick Airport 2 Sean Connery as James Bond 007 Trump said Connery, from Edinburgh, helped him get the permits for the two courses at the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire that he will visit next week. The new course will be named after his mother Mary MacLeod who was born and raised on the Isle of Lewis. The plane landed just before 8.28pm before it taxi'd along the tarmac at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire. Trump eventually surfaced at 8.40 at the door of the aircraft, waving to the crowds. He then took his time going down the stairs before meeting the welcoming comittee including Scottish Secretary Ian Murray. Trump then chatted ot the waiting media. He said: 'There's no place like Turnberry. It's the best course in the world. 'My son is going to cut a ribbon for the second course in Aberdeen. 'Sean Connery helped get me the permits, if it wasn't for Sean Connery we wouldn't have those great courses.' He then launched into criticism of immigration into Europe and 'windmills' across the countryside and in the sea. Protesters hang off bridge in major demo ahead of Trump's Scotland visit He said: 'I say two things to Europe. 'Stop the windmills. You're ruining your countries, killing the birds, it's so sad. 'On immigration, you better get your act together or else you won't have a Europe.' Hundreds of people gathered at the Mound viewing point to catch the iconic aircraft landing. Some plane spotters and Trump fans descended on the spot close to the runway from the morning to wait for his arrival. One supporter waved a Make America Great Again flag, while another man wore a cap with the tongue-in-cheek message Scotland Is Already Great emblazoned on it. Some youngsters were also seen sporting Trump's signature red MAGA hat. The airport area was under heavy security, with scores of cops keeping a close eye on the crowds. Police snipers also stood watch on Prestwick's air traffic control tower and a scaffold platform close to where the Commander in Chief disembarked the iconic modified Boeing 747. Earlier in the day, Marine One, the President's helicopter, was spotted being prepared outside a hangar at Prestwick. Mr Trump's large motorcade was also on standby airside, including blacked out SUVs and the President's heavily armoured car, known as the Beast.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Hulk Hogan was ‘being run into the ground' before he died with work schedule while dealing with 25 surgeries in 10 years
Hulk Hogan admitted he was struggling with his health in the year before his sudden death Thursday and some of those close to him thought he was taking it too far, The Independent has learned. But others close to him said it was just his way, and that he insisted on being on the road and showing up to meet fans because he was 'running the show'. Jimmy VanderLinden — who goes by "Jimmy Van" online and founded the professional wrestling publication Fightful — alleges he spoke with people close to Hogan who were upset at his heavy work schedule. "People close to Hulk Hogan had told me they weren't happy that his management team was 'running him into the ground,' promoting his beer brand over the last year," VanderLinden wrote in a social media post. The 71-year-old wrestler, whose real name was Terry Bollea, had been promoting Real American Beer, which used his likeness for its branding, in the last few months of his life. The company provided The Independent with the following statement: 'Hulk Hogan wasn't being 'run into the ground' — he was running the show. As the co-founder of Real American Beer, this brand was his vision from day one. He led by example, insisted on being on the road and showed up because he wanted to. Not for money. Not for press. For his fans. He built this for them — and no one was going to stop him from showing up and shaking every hand. That's what being a Real American meant to him.' A spokesperson for Empire Agency, which repped Hogan but had no involvement in Real American Beer or its marketing push, told The Independent they also thought he was pushing too hard before he fell ill. 'We also thought that he was going too far with his health, but we couldn't do anything, because of his deal with the promoter and some other representative dealing with this beer business,' the spokesperson said. Rumors swirled on social media in the weeks before his death that Hogan had health issues. Last month, Todd Clem — otherwise known as "Bubba the Love Sponge," a radio show host with a long and sordid history with Hogan — told his listeners that "allegedly Hogan is in the hospital and I've heard people say that he might not make it." Hogan's management and family denied the claims. The wrestler's wife, Sky Daily, said at the time that he'd only undergone neck surgery. His friend, former WWE personality and longtime in-character manager Jimmy Hart, insisted in a post that Hogan had recently been singing karaoke. The post has now been removed. A spokesperson for Hogan told The Independent last week that Hogan's surgery had "indeed been successful" and that there was "no reason to panic." "He just needs from time to time a medical check up," the spokesperson added. But by July, Clem hadn't changed his tune, warning listeners that "I don't know if we'll ever see Hogan again." On July 21, just days before the WWE icon's death, Clem wrote an update on X, citing people close to Hogan, that the wrestler had been moved from a hospital "to his home in a hospital bed with private doctors." "Transfer was done in secrecy — unmarked ambulances, garage entry, middle of the night," Clem wrote. The Clearwater Police Department said during a brief press conference that Hogan was "experiencing a serious medical related issue" when they arrived. He died after he was transferred to a hospital. Hogan addressed his health when he last September appeared on an episode of fellow WWE star Logan Paul's"Impaulsive" podcast. Hogan noted at the top of the show that he'd been up until 3:30 am the night prior, and mentioned he'd only gotten two hours of sleep another night that week. When asked by Paul's co-host, Mike Majlak, if he needs sleep, Hogan says he does, and noted that when he doesn't get enough sleep, it hurts his back. 'Oh God yeah bro, if I don't man, my back and everything..." Hogan says, implying his back will hurt if he doesn't get enough sleep. He then told the men about all of the surgeries he's needed in the last decade. 'I've had like 25 surgeries in the last ten years. Ten of them were back surgeries,' Hogan told Paul. 'Nobody told me this gimmick stuff was fake. I've had 10 back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders — everything.' Hogan was active in professional wrestling across a number of companies from 1977 to 2012. Despite the staged outcomes, the slams and slaps and chair shots were real, and took a toll on his body. He recalled advice he received from the legendary Andre the Giant about protecting his body in his early career. 'Andre used to tell me, 'Boss, don't fall down. You won't get back up,'' Hogan said. 'It was like a 22-foot boxing ring that had lumps in it, boards sticking up—it was horrible.'
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Coronation Street legend disowns own brother after discovering huge deceit
Coronation Street's Kevin Webster disowned his brother Carl Webster as various truths began to come out on Friday's episode of the ITV soap about each of their lies Coronation Street's Kevin Webster disowned his brother Carl as various truths began to come out on Friday's episode. The legendary character, who has been played by Michael Le Vell on ITV's flagship soap since 1983, was dealt a surprise earlier this year when his long-lost brother Carl (Jonathan Howard) arrived in Weatherfield, and has since employed him in his garage. The mechanic was diagnosed with testicular cancer some months ago and managed to beat the disease but amid suspicions that Carl is growing more and more attracted to his wife Abi (Sally Carman), he had decided to let everyone think he was still suffering. Amongst all of this, Carl has been using the garage to do some dodgy deals with Fiona Morley (Sara Poyzer), and the pair were discussing their plot to steal a £30,000 car whilst they tried to stand away from prying eyes in the ginnel. He warned her that the chance to take it was 'now or never' and she soon snuck into the unlocked garage, took the car and sped off. But unfortunately for them, Kevin had overheard the entire conversation when he came out of number 13, and watched on as the con woman drove off. Kevin chased after the her, but struggled to catch his breath and had to stop. He was seen by Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger) and the Rovers barmaid insisted on taking him off to hospital, unaware that he is lying about his cancer diagnosis. Carl rushed to see Kevin in the hospital, where the pair ended up having a confrontation as various truths began to come out. Kevin began to tell Carl that he felt 'like an idiot' and told his brother to 'drop the act' when he pretended to be exasperated at the news that a car had been stolen. When Kevin accused Carl of lying to him, Carl knew exactly how to hit back. Just before entering Kevin's room, Carl had asked the doctor if his sudden deterioration had anything to do with his chemotherapy, to which the doctor had informed him that such treatment had finished 'weeks ago'. Having worked out that Kevin had lied to him and everyone else, Carl asked Kevin how he could possibly lie about having cancer, he tried to insist that he did it to save his marriage. Viewers will remember that Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) previously rumbled Kevin's secret, having been familiar with how treatment works thanks to his daughter Hope's own battle several years ago. Abi believes that Kevin 'isn't responding' to the treatment, and when she tried to discuss the idea that Jack (Kyran Bowes) needed to be told more about his dad's condition, he tried to throw her off the subject. And in one final scene, Carl arrived at Kevin's house to try to have it out with him but was warned to 'make it quick'. Carl protested that Abi deserved to know about Kevin's condition, but the mechanic insisted that his brother will become part of the lie and go along with it because he has the power to 'shop' him at any time. In making things absolutely clear, Kevin told Carl: "I felt like I should've done more, being the older one, made you feel like you belonged. I could've done something about it, but I was too wrapped up in my own world. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for freeing me from all that guilt. Part of me started to believe that you didn't exist. Now I can go back to that. You are dead to me. Never had, never will." Fans of ITV's flagship soap opera will know that Kevin was right to have his suspicions when it came to Carl and Abi, and that the pair are set to give into temptation and embark on an affair. In the days before Kevin's brother arrived on the cobbles, he was famously married to Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) and they had daughters Rosie (Helen Flanagan) and Sophie (Brooke Vincent) together. They initially split up when Kevin had an an affair with Natalie Barnes (Denise Welch) but they remarried in 2002. Their marriage survived numerous infidelities on both sides, but ultimately crumbled when Kevin fathered Jack with Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) before she died in the 2010 tram crash as part of the programme's 50th anniversary. Carl is the son of Kevin's dad Bill Webster (Peter Armitage) and his second wife Elaine (Judy Gridley) and spent most of his life in Germany with his parents until he arrived on the Manchester backstreet earlier this year. In real life, Jonathan spent 10 years in LA and working alongside big-name stars including Brad Pitt and Anthony Hopkins, but the 38-year-old actor ranks landing a part in Corrie among his greatest achievements. He told The Mirror: "Being in Coronation Street is just as big a thrill as being in a Hollywood film or an American TV series. It's all the same, everyone's telling stories, whether it's a big $200m movie or a soap like Corrie. As a Lancashire lad born and raised, the dream was to be in Coronation Street – that was the ceiling, so it feels wonderfully surreal to now be acting with people like Kevin Webster that I watched religiously as a kid. My friends ask me, 'what you have been up to today?' and I reply 'I took Tracy Barlow for a drink in the Rovers Return!' It's just incredible to say these things."
