The Tidelines Book Festival returns to North Ayrshire from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, September 27, with one of its most star-studded line-ups yet, featuring football commentator Archie Macpherson, broadcaster Andrew Cotter, author Andrew O’Hagan, and Gavin and Stacey actor Larry Lamb.
Opening events and family trail
The programme begins on September 24 with the launch of The Tales of Shug’s Wood by Lindsay Littleson at Eglinton Country Park, from 11am to noon. The free, family-friendly story trail was created with local pupils and professional artists, and follows Shug, who lives deep in Eglinton Park.
Archie Macpherson, who has been the voice of Scottish football for 60 years, will be in conversation with Margot McGuaig at the Harbour Arts Centre (HAC) on September 24, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Literary tours and theatre
An interactive story, Gruffalo Granny, will be held at the HAC on Saturday, September 25, from 11am to 11.40pm. Local historian Billy Kerr will present a literary tour, Poetic Justice, exploring Irvine’s literary heritage from John Galt to Edgar Allan Poe, on September 25, from 5.45pm to 6.45pm. The tour includes visits to Irvine Grammar School and the Old Parish Kirkyard, concluding with dramatic readings and discussion. Attendees are advised to dress for the weather and wear stout footwear, as the graveyard is uneven.
Award-winning playwright Alan Sheridan will present Oh the Drama! Page to Stage and Back Again with Alan Bissett on September 25, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at the HAC, acting out scenes from When Billy Met Alasdair and The Red Hourglass.
Saturday highlights
Andrew Cotter will discuss his superstar Labradors, Olive and Mabel, on Saturday, September 26, from 11am to noon. Sara Sheridan will launch her new novel The Jewel Keepers, described as the Scottish Da Vinci Code, from 1pm to 2pm. Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen will present his fiction, non-fiction, and poetry from 3pm to 4pm, and Kirsty Logan will discuss her collection No & Other Love Stories from 5pm to 6pm.
Tidelines regular Andrew O’Hagan will talk about his new book On Friendship at the HAC on September 26, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Sunday finale
On Sunday, September 27, Kerri Andrews will discuss women’s walking with Caro Giles from 11am to noon. Our Gaelic Bookcase, a celebration of Gaelic books with Whitehirst Park Primary pupils, will feature Scotland’s Makar Peter Mackay from 1pm to 2pm. Jenni Fagan will discuss The Delusions from 3pm to 4pm, and Graeme Macrae Burnet will talk about his novel Benbecula, short-listed for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, from 5pm to 6pm.
The festival closes with Larry Lamb, known for Eastenders and Gavin & Stacey, taking audiences on a heartfelt journey on September 27, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Tickets are on sale now via the Tidelines Book Festival website.
