St Margaret’s

Saturday 27th September

10.30am – 11.15am

Join us for what promises to be a memorable morning with our powerhouse panel of leading food writers, critics and T.V presenters Giles Coren (The Times, The F Word, Amazing Hotels: Life Behind the Lobby), Esther Walker (The Times, i Paper, The Spike, Giles Coren has No Idea), expertly chaired by Tom Parker Bowles (Cooking & the Crown, Intoxicating History). Together they will discuss the hugely popular world of food writing and key moments from each of their highly successful careers, both on the page, online, over the airwaves and on the nation’s screens.  

Expect a feast of spirited, culinary conversation! 

A book signing of Esther Walker’s new novel, ‘Well, This is Awkward’ will follow the talk. 

St Margaret’s

Saturday 27th September

12pm – 12.45pm

Sir Alexander McCall Smith is one of the world’s most prolific, uplifting and best-loved authors. He became a household name with the publication of the highly successful No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and writes stand-alone novels, short stories, best-selling poetry, and children’s books as well as libretti, stage and screen scripts. His ‘44 Scotland Street’ novels, published as a serial novel in the Scotsman newspaper, has become the longest-running serial in the world. 

Hosted by Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room, join Sir Alexander McCall Smith to celebrate the return of favourite characters ‘Bertie’ in Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream (a 44 Scotland Street novel) and ‘Precious Ramotswe’ within In The Time of Five Pumpkins (a No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novel). In this hour of good cheer, you can also expect to explore the delights of The Lost Language of Oysters, The Perfect Passion Company and much more! 

A book signing with Sir Alexander McCall Smith will follow the talk.

Braemar Village Hall

Saturday 27th September

2.15pm - 3pm

Monica Ali is a bestselling writer, Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and former Booker Prize nominee whose work has been translated into 26 languages. She is the author of five books: the Man Booker Prize-shortlisted debut Brick Lane, Alentejo Blue, In the Kitchen, Untold Story and her most recent work, the Sunday Times Bestseller, Love Marriage. Monica was the chair of judges for the 2024 Women's Prize for Fiction, which crowned Brotherless Night by V. V. Ganeshananthan as the winner. 

Kavita Puri is a multi award-winning journalist, executive producer and author. She is the creator, writer and presenter of several BBC audio series including the hit podcast Three Million, Three Pounds in My Pocket and the landmark programmes Partition Voices. Her critically-acclaimed book Partition Voices: Untold British Stories was adapted at the Donmar Warehouse. She’s worked in senior editorial roles at the BBC including Editor of the BBC foreign documentary series Our World, and at Newsnight. Kavita was the chair of judges for the 2025 Women's Prize for Non-Fiction, which crowned The Story of a Heart by Dr. Rachel Clarke as the winner. 

Monica and Kavita will be in conversation with Claire Shanahan, Executive Director of the Women’s Prize Trust, to discuss their groundbreaking careers and association with the work of the Trust, in what promises to be a fascinating and inspiring discussion.  

A book signing with Monica Ali and Kavita Puri will follow the talk. 

St Margaret’s

Saturday 27th September

3.45pm - 4.30pm

David Nicholls is the bestselling author of Starter for Ten, The Understudy, One Day, Us, Sweet Sorrow  and You Are Here. One Day was published in 2009 to extraordinary critical acclaim: translated into 40 languages, it became a global bestseller, selling millions of copies worldwide. His fourth novel, Us, was longlisted for the Booker Prize for Fiction.   

On screen, David has written adaptations of Far from the Madding Crowd, When Did You Last See Your Father?  and Great Expectations, as well as of his own novels, Starter for Ten,One Day  and Us. His adaptation of Edward St Aubyn's Patrick Melrose, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, was nominated for an Emmy and won him a BAFTA for best writer.  The Netflix adaptation of One Day  (starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodhall) became a global streaming sensation and was executive-produced by David. 

David is joined in conversation by Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room to discuss his extraordinary literary career.  

A book signing with David Nicholls will follow the talk. 

Braemar Village Hall

Sunday 28th September

10am - 10.45am

James Cahill is the author of two critically acclaimed novels, Tiepolo Blue (2022)and The Violet Hour (2025), set respectively in the art worlds of the 1990s and the present day, and lead author of Flying Too Close to the Sun (2018), a survey of classical myth in art from antiquity to the present.  

James’s career has spanned the commercial art sector and academia, and he contributes to publications including Artforum, the Burlington Magazine, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the Spectator and the Daily Telegraph, and has curated numerous exhibitions on the relationships between ancient and contemporary art.  

We are delighted to welcome James back to Braemar in the company of Tim Knox, esteemed British art historian and Director of the Royal Collections Trust which cares for the private art collection of the British Royal Family, to explore the fascinating interplay between the worlds, of art, history and society that have so uniquely inspired James Cahill’s books. 

A book signing with James Cahill will follow the talk.

St Margaret’s

Sunday 28th September

11.30am– 12.15pm

Join us for what promises to be an extraordinary event with award-winning poet, author, and current Edinburgh Makar, Michael Pedersen—one of the most exciting literary talents to emerge on the UK scene. 

Joining Michael in conversation is Gemma Cairney, BBC broadcaster, presenter, and author, known for her vibrant storytelling and deep curiosity about the human experience. Together, they’ll explore Michael’s love of language, which sings through his work both on the page and on stage. With his debut novel Muckle Flugga, garnering glowing reviews since its release earlier this year, this promises to be a rich and resonant dialogue between two creative forces. 

A book signing with Michael Pedersen will follow the talk. 

Braemar Village Hall

12.30pm – 1.15pm

Online sensation, Braemar resident, former medical doctor and best-selling author of the ‘History Stinks’ series, an entertaining look through history for kids, Dr. Suzie Edge takes us on a one-woman journey through her latest release ‘Wee, Snot and Slime Through Time’. 

With the stinkiest of stories from medieval monks to Victorian doctors, from as far as the Ancient Greeks, the Aztecs, Tudors and beyond, Poo through the Ages and Wee, Snot and Slime features mighty monarchs, bonkers battles and deadly diseases from our pongy past. 

Expect laughs on top of learning! 

Braemar Village Hall

A Family Event exclusively for primary school aged children and their accompanying adults

From 2pm -  Reading of a beloved children’s story and more with a special festival guest

Bringing this year’s Braemar Literary Festival to a close, a special festival guest will read short excerpts from a much-loved children’s story for our inaugural “Braemar Beddie Baa"

The chosen story will be announced soon!

The perfect way for families to wind down, whilst winding up our weekend of words!