St Margaret’s

The festival opened with Andrew Liddle’s illuminating exploration of Winston Churchill’s often overlooked Scottish years. Liddle charted Churchill’s remarkable 15-year tenure as MP for Dundee, revealing the progressive Liberal politician he once was-far from the wartime bulldog of popular imagination.

The session brought to life Churchill’s fierce electoral battle with Edwin Scrymgeour, the god-fearing teetotaller who ultimately unseated one of Britain’s most famous statesmen. Guests enjoyed a lively discussion on Churchill’s evolving legacy in Scotland, followed by a book signing with Andrew Liddle.

St Margaret’s

This lively morning event brought together three leading voices in food writing and broadcasting. Tom Parker Bowles chaired a spirited conversation with Giles Coren and Esther Walker, as the trio reflected on their careers across print, radio, television and digital platforms.

They discussed the enduring appeal of food writing, the moments that shaped their journeys, and the personality-and humour-that drives their work. The session closed with a signing of Esther Walker’s new novel Well, This Is Awkward.

St Margaret’s

Sir Alexander McCall Smith delighted audiences in an hour filled with warmth, insight and laughter. In conversation with Vicki Perrin, he celebrated the return of beloved characters Bertie and Precious Ramotswe in his newest books, alongside reflections on his prolific body of work.

The discussion ranged from the charm of serial storytelling to the joys of creating worlds that readers return to again and again. A book signing with Sir Alexander McCall Smith followed this sold-out event.

Braemar Village Hall

Kavita Puri’s visit to the festival offered a powerful look into her groundbreaking career as an author, journalist and BBC executive producer. In conversation with Claire Shanahan, she discussed her influential audio series and her acclaimed work Partition Voices, which documents the lived experiences of those affected by the partition of India.

The pair also reflected on Kavita’s role chairing the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction and the significance of the winning title, The Story of a Heart. Guests later enjoyed a signing with Kavita Puri.

Braemar Kirk

Miles Beard offered an engrossing introduction to his novel Americanitis, an intricate blend of memory, fiction and psychological unravelling. He spoke about the book’s origins, the themes of grief and identity woven through Miles’s story, and the unsettling dual lives explored in the narrative.

The session gave audiences a compelling insight into the blurred lines between truth and imagination before concluding with a book signing with the author.

St Margaret’s 

In one of the festival’s most highly anticipated sessions, David Nicholls sat down with Vicki Perrin to discuss his extraordinary literary and screenwriting career. From the global phenomenon One Day to his award-winning work for television, David reflected on adaptation, character, and the emotional resonance that defines his writing.

Attendees enjoyed a warm, generous conversation, followed by a packed book signing.

Braemar Village Hall

James Cahill returned to Braemar for a captivating discussion with Tim Knox, delving into the intersections of art, myth and contemporary culture explored in his novels and non-fiction work.

They discussed James’s background across academia and the art world, his insights into curation, and the inspirations behind Tiepolo Blue and The Violet Hour. The event concluded with a book signing with James Cahill.

St Margaret’s

This richly layered discussion brought together two of Scotland’s most exciting literary voices. Michael Pedersen and Peter Mackay joined Gemma Cairney to explore their poetry, prose and deep connection to Scotland’s landscapes, languages and lived experiences.

The conversation flowed from creative process to cultural identity, offering an hour of warmth, reflection and humour. A book signing followed.

Braemar Village Hall 

Dr Suzie Edge entertained families with a wonderfully “pongy” dive into the past, introducing stories from her latest book Wee, Snot and Slime Through Time. With trademark energy and humour, she whisked the audience through tales of medieval monks, monarchs, Aztecs, Tudors and more-proving history can be both informative and riotously fun.

A book signing at The Fife Arms Shop rounded off the event.

Braemar Village Hall 

The festival closed with a family-friendly screening of Muppet Treasure Island, celebrating Braemar’s historic connection to Robert Louis Stevenson, who drafted early chapters of the story during his stay in the village in 1881.

Children and adults alike enjoyed an afternoon of adventure, nostalgia and cinematic delight.