We’re delighted to announce our programme for the third edition of Bloody Scotland.

Actor-turned-crime novelist John Gordon Sinclair joined us at Stirling’s historic Tolbooth theatre this afternoon to formally announce the programme to the media. The 2014 festival, which runs from 19-21 September, is bigger and more ambitious than ever before, with thirty-seven events and more than fifty of the biggest names in crime fiction descending on Stirling over the course of the weekend.

As well are more author talks than ever before, we’re very excited to announce some exciting event experiences this year. Some of your favourite authors will swap jotters for jerseys as Scotland takes on England for a crime writers’ football match, there will be a real-life medieval murder mystery at Stirling Castle and we’re presenting our first theatrical performance with a play in a real courthouse.

Some of your favourite parts of Bloody Scotland are back and once again we’ll be playing host to the Deanston Scottish Crime Book of the Year awards dinner, where you can dine with some of your favourite crime writers. We’ll also continue to encourage the next generation of writers with our University of Stirling Masterclass and pitch sessions.

There are so many things to choose from this year, from crime writing superstars like Kathy Reichs & Ian Rankin, Scottish favourites Christopher Brookmyre & Denise Mina to sure to be fascinating panels on topics such as the role of the women in Crime Fiction and digital publishing.

The full programme is online now and tickets are on sale.