Val McDermid

Louise Welsh PIC: Steve Lindridge

Scottish crime writers to share their Tartan Noir secrets

Author Chris Brookmyre.

Bloody Scotland Festival diary: McDermid and Brookmyre karaoke hits

Glasgow Pride brought the city centre to a standstill on Saturday (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

17 pictures from Glasgow Pride 2026 parade as city parties on

Val McDermid, Nicola Sturgeon, and David Keenan are among those announced for the 2026 Paisley Book Festival so far.

Here's the full Paisley Book Festival 2026 author line-up

Jackie Wylie, artistic director of the National Theatre of Scotland.

Call for real life story to be 'brought to theatrical life' by NTS

Only one in three children enjoy reading.

Only three in ten Scottish children enjoy reading in spare time

Douglas Henshall as Jimmy Perez

Exclusive Shetland hero Jimmy Perez 'unlikely to make return to small screen'

Winter Words Festival in Pitlochry will include events with a host of big name writers.

Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon in festival line up

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon with her memoir ‘Frankly’.

Nicola Sturgeon to jet to Iceland to give 'lessons in leadership' talk

Lauren Lyle as the Fife detective, Karen Pirie, who is back in a new series.

'You get awards and have that second album fear' - Karen Pirie returns

Top Scots - in their own words - Billy Connolly

Our Top Scots in their own words - a Burns Night celebration of talent

Val McDermid, seen with fellow author Damian Barr, at the launch of celebrations for the National Library of Scotland's 100th anniversary last month (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Val McDermid's reasoning on 'library killings' cannot be faulted Scotsman comment

Writer Val McDermid at the launch of the National Library of Scotland's centenary year celebrations, where she spoke passionately about the power of libraries and books to open windows to the wider world. PIC: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

Val McDermid: 'Libraries open windows that let us all fly'

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon will be appearing at a special festive Edinburgh’s Christmas In Conversation event, In The Company of Books, on 15 December at The Assembly Rooms on the Mound where they will be joined by Alan Cumming and bestselling author Paula Hawkins to discuss all things books.

Interview: Nicola Sturgeon and Val McDermid on bonding over books

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming to record audiobook of cult classic Scottish novel

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon will be joined by Alan Cumming and Paula Wilkins at In the Company of Books in Edinburgh on 15 December.

Exclusive Nicola Sturgeon opens up on her memoir: 'I'm not out to settle scores'

Paula Hawkins and Alan Cumming

Line-up for book event hosted by Nicola Sturgeon and Val McDermid

Alan Cumming was appointed artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre in September.

Alan Cumming reveals line-up for first festival for Scottish theatre

Nicola Sturgeon and author Val McDermid will appear together at the event

Nicola Sturgeon and Val McDermid to discuss books at festive event

Author Val McDermid

Val McDermid's fierce verdict on SNP's cuts to £19m culture fund

11 of the best pictures as Royal week begins in Edinburgh

Val McDermid is one of Scotland's most successful authors.

The 10 best Val McDermid books according to readers

Author Val McDermid. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Ten novels to read over the summer holidays

The Edinburgh International Book Festival

Exclusive Writers criticise 'perverse' book festival protest as sponsorship ends

Books, the festivals which celebrate them and the writers who produce them are hugely valuable to society (Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Time to stand up to activists who forced end of book festival sponsorship

Nicola Sturgeon appears at the in-conversation event at the Portobello Town Hall. Picture: Greg Macvean

Sturgeon accused of 'astounding lack of self-awareness' over women's rights

JK Rowling posts about Nicola Sturgeon's comments on women's rights

Exclusive Nicola Sturgeon warns of women's rights 'push back' and misogyny 'on the rise'

Val McDermid PIC: Lisa Ferguson / The Scotsman

Book review: Queen Macbeth, by Val McDermid

Author Val McDermid. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Aye Write: 'Unexpected' donation allows nine 'pop-up' events to go ahead

Nicola Sturgeon and Val McDermid share a love of books (Picture: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Nicola Sturgeon is not disliked because she's a woman

Readers' Letters: Sturgeon and co should help save Aye Write! festival

Louise Welsh PIC: Steve Lindbridge

Book review: To The Dogs, by Louise Welsh

Val McDermid released her latest novel following the adventures of DCI Karen Pirie this year.

Explainer Five of the best Scottish crime books of 2023 - including Val McDermid

Val McDermid PIC: Charlotte Graham

Book review: Past Lying, by Val McDermid

Val McDermid. Picture: Pako Mera

Val McDermid on reviving memories of lockdown Edinburgh for Karen Pirie thriller

Sir Chris Hoy's BBQ pork buns Pic: Paul Gregory Photography

Recipes: St Columba's Hospice Care releases charity cookbook, Generous

Val McDermid PIC: Pako Mera

Festival Diary: Val McDermid revisits lockdown for her next novel

Val McDermid

Book Festival reviews: Val McDermid | Malorie Blackman | Ian McEwan

The organisers of a previous year's menopause festival.

Breaking the silence on menopause at Scotland’s Flush Fest 2023

Colin MacIntyre, whose new Mull Historical Society album In My Mind There's a Room was made in a studio in his grandparent's former home in Tobermory, Mull and sees him work with 13 of his favourite writers. PIc: Soren Kristensen

Mull Historical Society's Colin MacIntyre knows how to read the room

Mum's the Word. Pic: Adobe

Janet Christie's Mum's the Word - A view with a room
Spaces have meaning that goes beyond four walls and a dodgy carpet

David Goodwillie has had his contract terminated with Australian side Sorrento FC.

David Goodwillie contract 'rescinded' hours after signing for Australian side

Val McDermid PIC: Pako Mera

Edinburgh International Book Festival: Leading writers share memorable moments

Crime writer Val McDermid : Photo by David Empson/Shutterstock (8971547d)

Val McDiarmid hails 'culture for everyone, not just the few' as services cut

Claire Hutchison is a conservator with the National Library of Scotland, which has one of the biggest newsaper archives in the UK.

Scottish newspaper archive secured after 'overwhelming' response to appeal

Val McDermid PIC: Pako Mera

Aye Write review: Val McDermid | Mark Billingham & Chris Brookmyre

Scotland has produced more than its fair share of best-selling writers.

13 of the Scottish authors who have sold most books around the world

David Goodwillie, pictured in action for Clyde, has been released by Radcliffe after just one appearance. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

'A significant misstep' - Goodwillie leaves Radcliffe after debut hat-trick

National Library of Scotland conservator Claire Hutchison is working to try to safeguard the most at-risk newspapers in its vast collections.

Appeal launched to secure future of newspaper treasure trove

Rab Noakes was a man of great talent, knowledge, generosity and impeccable style

Scotsman Obituaries: Rab Noakes, respected Scottish singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter Rab Naokes has passed away. Picture: Kris Kesiak

Stealers Wheel founder Rab Noakes dead at 75

David Goodwillie in the stand at Stark's Park after his signing was announced (Pic: Euan Cherry - SNS Group)

David Goodwillie: Raith Rovers confirm striker has left Kirkcaldy club

David Goodwillie attended a Raith Rovers match after signing for the club in January but never played for them.

David Goodwillie released by Raith Rovers as club issue statement

Agatha Christie signs French editions of her books, circa 1950 (Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Legal threats are no way to treat Scotland's Queen of Crime – Martyn McLaughlin

Val Dermid was appearing at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Picture: Pako Mera

Val McDermid reveals ‘Queen of Crime’ legal threat from Agatha Christie estate

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries