A former Castle Douglas Primary pupil has been recognised for her efforts to boost literature and literary tourism.
Ali Bowden, director of the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, has received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from Edinburgh Napier University.
Ali, who also attended Castle Douglas High and graduated from Stirling University, spent 10 years in publishing with Polygon Books and Edinburgh University Press before becoming director of the trust in 2006.
She has played a key role in establishing and developing Edinburgh as a UNESCO City of Literature and founding city in a global network of creative cities.
In 2011, the trust joined forces with Edinburgh Napier to launch the annual Robert Louis Stevenson Day, the first of many collaborative projects with the university.
Her current focus is the creation of a literature house at John Knox House as part of a wider development of the Literary Quarter on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Ali, 46, said: “I am delighted and truly honoured to receive recognition of this kind. My work over the years has never been easy but has always been interesting, diverse and stimulating.
“Edinburgh is an outstanding UNESCO City of Literature and it’s a joy to play a part in supporting the reading and writing communities here and connecting our literary city with like-minded cities around the world.”
Edinburgh Napier University principal, Professor Andrea Nolan, said: “Edinburgh is a city which is rich in literary heritage from Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson to the Rebus novels of Ian Rankin and as the birthplace of JK Rowling’s Boy Wizard, Harry Potter.
