BBC Radio broadcaster and comedian Robin Ince to headline NessBookFest

Award-winning comedian, writer and broadcaster Robin Ince will headline a varied programme of free events at NessBookFest later this month.

The annual community-run festival is taking place from September 28 to 30 with events from poetry slams to book launches at various venues around Inverness.

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Robin Ince, co-presenter of BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage, will appear on Saturday September 30 at Junction Church to speak about his latest book, Bibliomanic – An Obsessive’s Tour of the Bookshops of Britain.

Packed with anecdotes and tall tales, it follows his quest to discover just why he can never have enough books.

The festival also sees the return of the Poetry Slam following its success last year.

Poets will go head-to-head in a battle at the Bike Shed in Grant Street, Merkinch, on September 29 to be crowned the champion and to book their place in the Scottish finals in Glasgow next year.

Fiona Gillan Kerr will launch her novel, The Bone on the Beach, during the festival. It is a reimagining of the ancient Celtic legend of Dierdre of the Sorrows, told as a contemporary ghost story and mystery.

Jenny and Annie from hit podcast Stories of Scotland will share some of their favourite legends, myths, and

traditional stories from the Highlands and Islands, retold through a queer lens.

Mel MacKay will hold one of her ever-popular Meet the Books sessions at Inverness library and there is a prize- giving to celebrate the success and stories of the prize winners of the inaugural NessBookFest writing competition.

It is partnering many local venues and organisations including Inverness Library, the Junction Church, Bike Shed, the Beaufort Hotel and Waterstones and has received funding and support from the Scottish Book Trust and Inverness Paving.

In keeping with the festival's ethos, all events are free and can be booked via Ticket Tailor by searching for NessBookFest on that platform. Links to tickets are also provided on the festival's social media pages and on the NessBookFest website.

Organisers suggest it is advisable for audience members to take cash if they wish to buy books from authors at in-person events.

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