We welcome Alexander McCall Smith – one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors. For many years he was a professor of Medical Law and worked in universities in the UK and abroad before turning his hand to writing fiction. He has written and contributed to more than 100 books including specialist academic titles, […]

Set sail on the School Ship Tobermory with much-loved Edinburgh author Alexander McCall Smith and illustrator Iain McIntosh as they present the fourth title in their hugely successful series, ‘The Secret of the Dark Waterfall’. This time the gang are on the hunt for a shipwreck laden with treasure. You’ll need courage and ingenuity to […]

Alexander McCall Smith presents an antidote to the Tartan Noir genre that he calls ‘Scandi Blanc’, featuring Detective Ulf Varg in Malmö’s Department of Sensitive Crimes. Add in a new 44 Scotland Street novel, playful adventures in The Second Worst Restaurant in France, and a handpicked anthology of Scottish poems and you have the recipe […]

It’s impossible to predict what will happen at an Alexander McCall Smith event. There are his amazing new books to discuss, including a hilarious trip to the continent in The Second Worst Restaurant in France, and The Peppermint Tea Chronicles, the latest in his 44 Scotland Street series. But there’s also his cast of beloved […]

Every year we ask Alexander McCall Smith to give something a bit special to audiences at the Festival he loves so much. Every year he delivers. What makes these events so wonderful? Hilarious stories; gorgeous characters; maybe a surprise guest; and of course the charm of the raconteur himself. Join him to hear about his […]

It’s an open secret that we’ve been trying to lure Alexander McCall Smith to Bloody Scotland since our first festival in 2012. We’ve offered marzipan, free copies of Yachting Monthly, rare editions of WH Auden’s poetry, and even scrambled eggs on toast with truffle oil and anchovy paste (just a few of his favourite things). […]