News

NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST for ALEXANDER

Date Published: 30th December 2023

It is with great delight that we relay the information that Alexander McCall Smith, author and academic, has been honoured as Knight Bachelor in His Majesty The King’s New Year Honours list, 2024. The acclaimed Scottish writer is also a librettist, a poet, and a great thinker and the award recognises his service to literature, […]

2023- A Year in the Life of Alexander McCall Smith

Date Published: 14th December 2023

2023 has been another busy and exciting year for Alexander and his team. It has seen the publication of no fewer than five new hardback books, a big birthday, over 25 appearances at book festivals and bookshop events around the world, a lifetime achievement award, and not just one, but two audiences with His Royal […]

Alexander to visit Botswana in 2024

Date Published: 19th October 2023

In March 2024 I shall be back in Botswana for a visit, long-delayed as a result of Covid travel restrictions. I am very much looking forward to being back in that remarkable, heart-beguiling country, the setting for The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels. My programme includes some time in Gaborone, where I hope to […]

A Short September Tour

Date Published: 25th September 2023

As the weather starts to change the road beckons and so Alexander McCall Smith travelled from his Edinburgh home to the south and south west of England for a short September tour to meet readers. Where did we go? Alexander – and his publicist Jan Rutherford – started out in the early hours of Thursday […]

New Mma Ramotswe Podcast launched

Date Published: 14th September 2023

Have you ever wanted to know more about Mma Ramotswe’s Botswana? Delve into this exciting new podcast and explore the world of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective, her friends, and her important places. As you listen to the episodes you will be transported between McCall Smith’s fictional world and the true Botswana. You will meet […]

Saltire Lifetime Achievement Award

Date Published: 13th September 2023

After a few months of delay due to his hectic schedule, Alexander McCall Smith has received the Saltire Lifetime Achievement Award from the prestigious Saltire Society. The presentation took place on Saturday at the Society’s HQ in Edinburgh and was attended by many who have been heavily involved in Scottish culture and society over the years. The […]

Alexander McCall Smith celebrates – 75 years young

Date Published: 24th August 2023

Congratulations to Alexander McCall Smith who turns a very youthful 75 today. We wish him a wonderful day visiting Cafe Canna, a fabulous restaurant on the remote Hebridean island of Canna. May the sun shine on you Sandy. Alexander has had an incredibly busy week in the run up to this, his 75 th birthday. […]

King Charles and Alexander McCall Smith

Date Published: 27th July 2023

On 6 July 2023, His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla toured The Great Tapestry of Scotland in its purpose built gallery in Galashiels. They were introduced to Alexander McCall Smith, Alistair Moffat and artist Andrew Crummy who all worked on the project along with Jan Rutherford, project director for the initial […]

Hay-on-Wye: A UK festival at its best, basking in sunshine

Date Published: 31st May 2023

Alexander McCall Smith delighted more than 1500 readers at his UK event this week at Hay Festival on the Welsh / English border, in conversation with journalist and broadcaster Kirsty Lang (much missed from the BBC’s Front Row). The sun shone down, and as the crowds gathered, ripples of conversation, laughter and applause escaping from […]

The King gave a Dinner Party… From the UK Royal Court Circular, 4 April 2023

Date Published: 6th April 2023

‘The King gave a Dinner Party at Windsor Castle this evening. From the Royal Court Circular, the following were invited: His Excellency the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway and the Reverend Dr. Strømmen, His Excellency the High Commissioner for Canada and Mrs. Kendel-Goodale, the Bishop of Coventry and Mrs. Christopher Cocksworth, the Lord and […]

Fun in the Sun in Australia

Date Published: 22nd March 2023

Alexander has had a grand time having fun in the sun in Australia, meeting readers and fellow writers at sold out events across the country. Huge thanks to the teams at Hachette and NewSouthBooks and to all the festival directors and journalists he met along the way. But of course the biggest thanks go to […]

In Search of Memory (Special event, London UK)

Date Published: 19th March 2023

On Memory – very special event at King’s Place, London on 27 May The celebrated author Alexander McCall Smith asks, ‘how do memories make us who we are?’ The answer comes in music – by Harry Whalley – and poetry and scientific exploration informed by neurologist Professor Adam Zeman. Joined by the acclaimed Gildas String Quartet and Soprano Sarah Dacey each movement explores a different […]