St Margaret's

Friday 26th September

5-6 pm

A Scotsman Book of the Year 

In the popular imagination, Winston Churchill is the bulldog of 1940 – uncompromising and Conservative. But in 1922, he was the reforming, progressive Liberal MP for Dundee who, after five successive election wins and a majority of 15,000, could confidently claim to have a seat for life. 

But one man had other ideas. Andrew Liddle tells the story of how god-fearing teetotaller Edwin Scrymgeour fought and won an election against Britain’s most famous politician, exploring for the first time Churchill’s 15 years as MP for Dundee and his legacy in Scotland today. 

A book signing with Andrew Liddle will follow the talk.

This talk is brought to you by St Margaret’s.

Braemar Highland Games Pavilion café 

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th    

Exhibition open 10am - 4.30pm    
Meet the Artist  12pm – 1.30pm  

An exhibition of paintings inspired by the literary work of Nan Shepherd 

‘A gifted author’s vision colours our sense of the world and the way we perceive life: this is Nan Shepherd’s precious gift to those who experience the Cairngorms’. Rose Strang 

Inspired by Shepherd’s visionary writings, we are pleased to present an exhibition of Edinburgh-based artist Rose Strang‘s atmospheric, textural paintings, originally commissioned by The Folio Society London for their 2021 publication of Nan Shepherd’s collector’s edition of ‘The Living Mountain’. 

Described by leading author Robert MacFarlane in his introduction to the Folio edition as “extraordinary” …and “intensely dynamic”, festival guests will have the opportunity to view this small suite of paintings and to meet the artist in person over the course of the Festival weekend. 

Admission FREE.

Braemar Kirk

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th 

11am – 3pm 

Inspired by the concepts of bibliotherapy and poetry pharmacies where patients are prescribed books as a form of literary medication, the Braemar Literary Pharmacy offers a light-hearted approach to overcoming afflictions of the heart, mind and soul through ‘prescribing’ Scottish books of a fictional or factual nature. Think popping poems instead of popping pills, helping verses go viral and tackling life’s trials and tribulations with thoughtful texts. 

Championed by Scots Makar Peter Mackay, over the course of the Summer, Festival organisers invited local schools and Aberdeenshire communities to select their favourite book from a number of set categories, each designed to improve personal wellbeing; from connecting with nature, to stories inspired by love, or encouraging adventures through travel.  

Drop in to visit our resident Braemar ‘Literary Pharmacist’ Shona Armstrong, herself a retired GP and enthusiastic bibliophile, who will dispense the most popular books on free prescription to Festival guests. 

Pick up your words for wellness this weekend - no appointment necessary! 

Admission FREE.

The Fife Arms Shop

Saturday 27th September

1 pm - 1.45pm

Local, Cairngorm-based medical herbalist and foraging expert, Natasha Lloyd, will be hosting a special book signing event for her debut publication Foraged Condiments, which invites readers to delve into the treasure trove of our native plants, providing a comprehensive selection of recipes which explore the culinary and medicinal value of plants and how to use them in the kitchen. 

Having gathered a lifetime’s deep knowledge of plants and herbs, Natasha’s debut book offers twists on traditional condiments, as well as ferments, cocktails ingredients and everyday drinks, each made with wild plants.   

Natasha will be signing copies of Foraged Condiments in the Fife Arms Shop, where copies of copies of her fascinating and informative book are available for purchase. 

Admission FREE.

Braemar Kirk

Saturday, 27th September

3 - 4pm

‘If you look closely you can still see some tear splotches on these pages, here and there.’

Following the death of his wife, Miles, an academic and hypochondriac suffering from acute anxiety, finds himself in need of professional help. Back in his native Scotland from a research trip to the US he conducted in the weeks preceding his wife’s death, his therapist encourages him to write a fictionalised version of his life in order to pinpoint the sources of his anxiety.

In penning this record of his memories, Miles reveals the complicated double life he has been leading – tortured academic by day, Internet troll hounding people under a pseudonym by night – and unsettling details surrounding the US trip begin to surface. As the narrative progresses, questions build as to what actually happened during the final days of Miles and Sarah’s marriage.

Americanitis is an extraordinary work that mercilessly blends fact with fiction and leaves the reader scrabbling for truth.

A book signing with Miles Beard will take place after the talk.

This talk is brought to you by St Margaret’s.