The Countdown Begins!

We’ve been very busy here at Bloody Scotland putting together a ‘killer’ programme for 2013.

The big weekend will feature debates and discussions from the very best of Scottish and International crime writers and will take place in the city of Stirling from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September.

If you were lucky enough to be at our inaugural Festival you would have enjoyed an event from one of the fifty top-selling authors who appeared at Bloody Scotland 2012, including appearances from Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre and William McIlvanney.

To quote Festival organiser Dom Hastings: "Bloody Scotland really made its mark in the literary calendar last year with thousands of crime writing fans attending over the course of the weekend. To have such a positive reaction in its first year is really indicative of Scotland's love of this popular genre – and indeed how well respected our country’s crime writers are."

If you didn’t make it to Bloody Scotland last year then don’t fret...because this year’s Festival is going to be even bigger and better!  Featuring even more best-selling authors, new talent, bespoke workshops and seminars, there will be something to grab the attention of every crime-fiction fan.

We are delighted to reveal that the full Festival programme will be released on Wednesday 5 June with tickets for the events going on sale the very same day.

Keep your eyes on the website and sign up to our mailing list to stay in-the-loop with all the Bloody Scotland latest!

You can also follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook

Let the Countdown Begin!


A smörgåsbord of red-heads

They can write. But can they act?

As a treat for the grand finale of Bloody Scotland we were served a one-off staging of The Red-Headed League, starring Sherlock Holmes himself as the clever detective. (It was really 'only' Stuart MacBride, not the genuine Mr Holmes.) Karen Campbell was the red-head and Gordon Brown (the other Gordon Brown) was disparaging towards the other red-head hopefuls in the audience.

Lin Anderson was Mrs Hudson, Craig Robertson played Lestrade and Val McDermid was Mr Merryweather. Gillian Philip was the villain of the piece. She villained most convincingly.

Dr Watson had the biggest role and David Ashton Doctor Watsoned so well I wasn't surprised to find he's an actor.

Why is it that watching the 'wrong' people do something, we like it even better?

Once the red-headed jollities had been dealt with, it was awards time.

First out was the Worth the Wait short story competition. Out of 232 entries and 19 shortlisted stories, the winner was Sarah Reynolds who got some very old and rather valuable Glengoyne whisky for her troubles, amongst other prizes. Very good story. In fact, most of them were unexpectedly excellent.

The very first Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2012 came next, and last. Jenny Brown introduced Sheena McDonald who introduced William McIlvanney who told us that Charles Cumming was the winner with A Foreign Country. A large cheque changed hands and Charles made a suitably gracious speech.

And then we all went home.