AN array of authors and celebrity speakers from various fields have been have been announced for the 20th annual Wigtown Book Festival.
Scottish historian Sir Tom Devine, broadcaster, writer and presenter Clare Balding, mountain walker and writer Cameron McNeish and broadcaster and writer Sally Magnusson are just a few of the names lined up for the event.
They will be joined by the likes of bestselling author Patrick Gale and comedian Susan Calman, who was taken into the nation’s heart after her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, The “brightest jewel on the festival circuit” runs from September 21 to 30 in the Dumfries and Galloway town.
READ MORE: Book festival opens as some big names prepare to take to the stage
Others guests include Louis de Bernières, who first captivated readers with Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, equality campaigner Jo Swinson MP, comedian and radio presenter Robin Ince, leading crime writer Ann Cleeves, actor, writer and comedian Arabella Weir, and philosopher John Gray.
Visitors to Scotland’s National Book Town will also have the chance to take part in a series of events as the festival marks its 20th anniversary. These include panel discussions offering writers’ perspectives on how Scotland has changed in the past two decades and what Europe will look like 20 years from now.
Adrian Turpin, Wigtown Book Festival artistic director, said: “The 20th festival is a very special moment for us and we are celebrating with a vibrant and exciting line-up of guests. Some are new to the event, others are old friends. We are also seizing the moment to look at a series of wider issues, including the ways in which Scotland has changed – for better or worse – since the late 1990s.
“It’s one of the great strengths of an event of this kind that we can bring together some of the most creative people alive today to get new insights and perspectives on every aspect of the past, present and future.
“Another is that we have a lot of fun,” he added.
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