AWARD-winning writer Kerry Hudson presents a one-woman show from a chip van today.
The Aberdeen-born author will have the salt shaker poised for the performance, part of the Wigtown Book Festival’s opening weekend.
Hudson will read stories from recent memoir Lowborn, which depicts growing up in poverty around the UK, and her 2012 debut novel Tony Hogan Bought Me An Ice Cream Float Before He Stole My Ma.
Hudson will go on to take part in Dundee’s Festival of the Future on October 19.
READ MORE: Refugees to see Scots countryside for first time at book festival
Now in its 21st year, the literary festival features more than 275 events for adults and children taking place in Scotland’s national book town.
Themes this year include indigenous languages and an exploration of Galloway’s past as a melting pot of Anglo Saxons, Norsemen, Gaels, Scots and Cumbrians.
Highlights include a talk on the Galloway Hoard, one of the biggest discoveries of Viking objects ever found in Britain, and a workshop hosted by author and poet Kevin MacNeil about the Gaelic words found in everyday English.
MacNeill, whose stage adaptation of his debut novel The Stornoway Way begins a tour next week, is this year’s judge for the Scottish Gaelic poetry prize, the winner of which will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony during the festival.
Ruth Davidson, Kirsty Wark, Tom Devine and Matthew Parris also appear at the festival, which is giving away thousands of free tickets to those under 26.
Until October 6, various venues in Wigtown. See the full programme and book at wigtownbookfestival.com
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here