Stirling’s popular Bloody Scotland crime writing festival has been killed off for 2020.
Organisers said this week they were “sad” to announce the event would not be taking place in Stirling this year due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Instead they hope to provide bookworms with some online interest - and plan to resurrect the festival in September 2021.
They added: “The safety of our team, participants and audiences is paramount and even if social distancing restrictions are lifted by September, we feel we cannot proceed as normal without knowing safety can be absolutely assured.
“Though we will greatly miss celebrating the finest local and international crime writing at the festival, we hope to bring you a wee taste of that classic Bloody Scotland atmosphere in the form of online events which we are currently in the process of plotting.
“More about that will be announced on a later date so make sure you’re following us on all the usual channels and join the mailing list for the latest updates.
“Until then, please stay home and stay safe.”
Bloody Scotland established itself as the leading Scottish International Crime Writing Festival in 2012 with acclaimed writers Lin Anderson and Alex Gray at the helm, then joined by Craig Robertson and Gordon Brown. Based in Stirling, it has since brought hundreds of crime writers new and established to the stage.
Last year the international crime-writing extravaganza saw audience figures eclipse the 10,000 milestone for the first time, as visitors enjoyed an exciting array of events and heard fascinating insights from bestselling authors, including David Baldacci, Ian Rankin, Alex Gray, Denise Mina and Alexander McCall Smith.
Highlights also included a torchlight process from Stirling Castle Esplanade through the city centre with a host of top authors, followed by a gala reception at the castle, plus a sellout interview of DI Rebus author Ian Rankin by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
Dates for Bloody Scotland 2021 are currently scheduled as September 17-19.
