Ali Smith, Andrew O’Hagan and Julie Fowlis among star-guests for Nairn Book and Arts Festival 2025 as programme for 22nd edition is revealed
“Literary giants” Ali Smith and Andrew O’Hagan are amongst the headliners for one of the most popular literary events in the Highlands, whose full programme has been launched today (Friday, June 20).
The Nairn Book and Arts Festival will return on August 30 for its 22nd edition with a rich programme which includes performances by musical powerhouses Julie Fowlis, Duncan Chisholm, and the organist behind Hans Zimmer’s unforgettable score for Interstellar, Roger Sayer.
Broadcaster, writer and Scots language activist Billy Kay, and artist Angie Lewin will also visit Nairn as part of the festival.
Ronald Skeldon, chair of Nairn Book and Arts Festival commented: “We are excited to unveil this year's programme, which is inspired by the 'Coastal/Maritime' spirit of Nairn.
“Thanks to the generous support of our funders, including Creative Scotland and EventScotland, and our principal sponsor, Haventus, we have once again been able to curate a truly exceptional line-up that celebrates both established and emerging talent across literature, music, and the wider arts, whilst fostering new connections within our community and beyond.”
The festival culminates in a spectacular Finale Day at Nairn’s Links, highlighted by The Wave – a fancy dress community parade showcasing large scale sea creature puppets – and free family events.
New educational partnerships with Scottish Opera and the V&A Dundee, alongside collaborations with local care homes and all five local schools, see the festival continuing to reach more people in the community.
The festival's newly commissioned cover artwork for this year's programme, Spirit of Nairn, has also been unveiled, featuring a sea goddess emerging from the waves.
Created by Highlands-based Georgina Coburn, she is, in the artist’s words: “Like a lighthouse beacon, … the Spirit of Nairn, celebrating all the arts, the strength we find in nature and each other."
This year’s edition will include conversations with Andrew O’Hagan, writer of recent state-of-the-nation novel Caledonian Road, multi-award-winning and Inverness-born Ali Smith, Shetland journalist Jen Stout discussing her acclaimed reportage on Ukraine, and Louise Welsh, sharing insights from her distinguished career and latest gripping novel.
Other names on the programme include writers C.J. (Carolyn) Cooke, Kate Griffin, JJA Harwood, Marcia Hutchinson, Noreen Masud, Donald S Murray, Frank Rennie, and Kenneth Steven.
Also amongst the diverse line-up, celebrated painter and printmaker Angie Lewin discusses her artistic journey and recent book with arts journalist Jan Patience; Shaun Gardiner performs The Boy with Nails for Eyes, a unique hybrid of comics, animation, and live storytelling; writer Billy Kay is joined by Scots song exponent Robyn Stapleton to explore the culture, history, folklore, and literature of his Ayrshire childhood through powerful Scots prose; and the ever-popular Wine and Crime event returns with writers Iain Kelly, Natalie Jayne Clark, and Douglas Skelton.
This year will also feature the winner of the festival’s inaugural short story competition, The Astley Prize, at a New Writers event organised by creative writing students from the University of the Highlands, whilst local authors Paul Hart, Sarah Fraser, and Sandra Ferguson reflect on their publishing journeys.
Nairn Literary Institute will also celebrate its 150th anniversary, and Nairn’s young readers can also join the festivities, with a 20th-anniversary celebration of Linda Strachan's Hamish McHaggis series, and a children's writing workshop.
The festival's musical programme kicks off the festival on August 30 with the final of the Nairn Young Musician Competition, a collaboration between the festival, Nairn Rotary and Music Nairn, showcasing local talent aged 8-18 years old, followed by an evening concert from Kenna Ross and Friends, celebrating the successful career of the pianist who, began as a rising young star from Nairn herself.
Duncan Chisholm and Julie Fowlis present An Treas Suaile (The Third Wave), a powerful and moving tribute to the tragic sinking of The Iolaire, and trailblazing and genre-defying composer Errollyn Wallen, Master of The King’s Music, discusses her remarkable life and creative journey, as captured in her book Becoming a Composer.
The festival will also feature three film screenings, including a powerful double bill from director Gerda Stevenson, and Preloved to Reloved, a poignant narrative following Dawn, a woman who transforms her grief into a Nairn-based social enterprise supporting other women in midlife.
A series of workshops and exhibitions around town will also be part of this year’s lively programme.
The full programme and more details on how to book are available at www.nairnfestival.co.uk.
