Scotland's International Crime Writing Festival
STIRLING / 12th - 14th September 2025
What's On
We strive to put on entertaining as well as informative events during a weekend in September, covering a wide range of criminal subjects.
Festival Info
All about the festival’s beginnings, who we are and what we do. The literary festival where you can enjoy a drink at the bar with your favourite crime writer.
Take Part
Find out about our Prizes, Pitch Perfect, Crime in the Spotlight and opportunities to volunteer at the festival. Plus information on our Stirling residents discount and Free standby tickets.
Blog
Read all about what’s going on at Bloody Scotland. Here you can keep up to date with all our news, events, competitions & more.
About
Scottish Crime Writing... It's in our DNA.
Bloody Scotland’s mission is to Discover, Nurture and Amplify the best in crime fiction, whether it’s labelled Tartan Noir or Caledonian Cosy. We want to find the best new talent, help it grow, and showcase it on the world’s stage – It’s in our blood. It’s in our DNA.
‘The secret of Bloody Scotland’s success is that everyone’s a winner.’
Val McDermid
‘I went to Bloody Scotland and I was just knocked out…’
William McIlvanney
‘Bloody Scotland is a very relaxed and informal affair, blurring the barriers between writers and readers, between festival and convention.’
Chris Brookmyre
‘One of Stirling’s cultural crown jewels’.
Chris Kane MP
‘Bloody Scotland is the premier date in the diary for all Scottish crime writers – it’s the fulcrum of our year.’