Stirling’s Bloody Scotland crime writing festival is to go ahead this year in hybrid form – on city stages as well as screens.
The international event has been made possible through £44,000 of National Lottery cash distributed via Creative Scotland.
The festival will run from Friday, September 17 to Sunday, September 19 and the opening night will be marked with the presentation of the McIlvanney Prize and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize.
Live events will take place with the safety of authors and readers in mind, but for those who don’t feel ready to venture out or cannot attend in person, they can view the festival online.
Those who attend in person will see some authors beamed on to large screens in Stirling and other authors on city stages.
The full programme will be announced next week.
Festival Director Bob McDevitt said: “We are hugely grateful to Creative Scotland for sharing in our vision for an ambitious hybrid festival for 2021.
“Their funding will allow us to both welcome people back to Stirling and to deliver an extensive programme online for those who can’t make it this year.”
Creative Scotland literature officer Katalina Watt said: “Scottish crime writing is a beloved and globally renowned literary export, and it’s heartening to see that with the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, this year’s enticing programme can offer in-person events in Stirling, alongside a host of digital offerings.
“Creative Scotland is delighted to support the festival once more in bringing the diverse plethora of Scottish crime writing voices, both emerging and established, to a wide audience within Scotland and beyond.”
The full programme will be revealed on Wednesday, August 18, and tickets will go on sale at noon that day.
Full details of all events, and how to book tickets for both watching on-line and in-person will be available at www.bloodyscotland.com.
