Bloody Scotland crime writing festival line-up unveiled with Sir Ian Rankin at helm

Daily Record

12-06-2025

The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival schedule also features broadcaster Steph McGovern, Jeremy Vine and the Rev Richard Coles.
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.
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Sir Ian, famed for creating detective John Rebus, is the inaugural guest programmer for the event scheduled to take place in Stirling this September.
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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."
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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."
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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.
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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."
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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.