Books are just the beginning – Wigtown Book Festival hosts more than 200 events, live music, walks & workshops

As Scotland’s National Book Town it’s wonderful to visit at any time, but it will undergo a near-magical transformation from September 25 to October 4 when it will host more than 200 events to suit literature lovers of all tastes and ages.

Perched on a hill overlooking the Solway Firth, this small rural town of less than 1,000 residents, will welcome a multitude of novelists, non-fiction writers, poets, musicians, celebrities, scientists – and others.

Among them will be broadcaster and writer Sally Magnusson, and Neil Forsyth the BAFTA-winning creator of screen dramas Legends, Guilt and The Gold, and the man behind Brian Cox’s greatest comedy role as Dundee’s Bob Servant.

Scottish crime writer and Traitors star Harriet Tyce will be there, along with actor Larry Lamb (the ever-patient Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey) and Dougie Payne, bass player with Travis and now a children’s author.

And there’s every chance of bumping into a famous name as you enjoy tea and cake in a café, browse one of Wigtown’s many bookshops or take a walk round the town or its lovely coast and countryside.

That could be the celebrated Braveheart and Shetland actor Gerda Stevenson or former Lib Dem leader Vince Cable.

And those are just some of the guests who have been revealed so far – the full programme is being launched on 24 July.

National, international and interstellar

In 2026 there will be an emphasis on Scottish writers but, as ever, the programme will include many international guests – and guests with international perspectives.

So, while performance poet and National Library of Scotland’s Scots Scriever Taylor Dyson offers a masterclass of lyrical excellence, John Kampfner will look at how we can do things better by learning from other countries.

And the festival goes far beyond the boundaries of our own world, with Scotland’s Astronomer Royal, astrophysicist Professor Catherine Heymans, taking part in three events.

Two are especially for children, where she will challenge them to ask her any questions they like about space and science.

Galloway pride

As Scotland’s National Book Town, Wigtown is proud of its Galloway heritage. Indeed, it was awarded the title back in 1998 to put literature at the forefront of a drive to economically rejuvenate the area.

The festival celebrates Galloway’s historical and contemporary literature and culture. This year it hold events to mark the centenary of the great poet Alastair Reid, from Whithorn.

The festival’s overall theme will be “Patina, Gloss and Whorl”, a quote from Reid’s poem Weathering.

Combining the contemporary and historical, Wigtown bookshop owner Bre Martin will discuss his forthcoming book Kirkyard Chronicles which reveals the stories of remarkable people – such as a Caribbean pirate hunter – who are buried in Galloway’s graveyards.

A visit to the festival is also a chance to enjoy a weekend, week or longer exploring Dumfries & Galloway – from the tranquil calm of the artists’ town of Kirkcudbright to the wild beauty of the Mull of Galloway peninsula.

A festival for all

Wigtown’s festival is acclaimed as one of the UK’s most charming events of its kind. That’s because books are just the beginning.

The Scotsman once called it a “celebration of life’s beauty and goodness”, while The National said: “words don’t do justice to the diversity of Wigtown Book Festival”.

The whole community gets involved, with hundreds of local people volunteering as stewards and guides to make sure that visitors have a great time.

Visitors mingle with residents when a pipe band marches through the town, leading the crowds to the spectacular fireworks display that opens the event each year.

And over the next 10 days there’s the chance to enjoy live music, go on guided history and nature walks, enjoy sessions for aspiring writers.

And if you are a Munro bagger you can even join poet Ceitidh Campbell to learn the meaning of Gaelic mountain names.

There’s a lively selection of events for young adults plus the Big Wig literature festival especially for children.

For example former Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho will be there to share his new collection of poems Rapunzel is a Lettuce.

Book Town Friends

Many festival visitors fall in love with the town and the festival and want to be part of it all year round.

So, there’s the chance to sign up with the Book Town Friends, which brings all sorts of benefits.

These include advance notice of who is taking part and being first to be able to book tickets – this year Friends will get the full programme on 22 July.

They also get an invitation to the launch party, other special events and exclusive e-newsletters.

· Get the full programme and book your festival tickets from 24 July at wigtownbookfestival.com.