First @bozzybookfest.bsky.social interview done and it's only Dougie Donnelly (I am aware people south of the border might not appreciate this as much, but still Dougie Donnelly!)

Lovely day at @bozzybookfest.bsky.social - so chuffed for such an incredible turnout for my workshop and signing ❤️

I've just got back from an incredible weekend at the Boswell Book Festival at Dumfries House @bozzybookfest.bsky.social, where I talked about my book The Road to Mons Graupius. As venues go, I suspect it doesn't get much better than this!

Here’s Hamish Henderson’s “Freedom Come-All-Ye”, sung by Karine Polwart in the Italian Chapel, Orkney. The chapel was built & decorated by Italian POWs during WW2 using scraps & reclaimed materials, & is still in use today #MayDay #InternationalWorkersDay www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Phu...

“Freedom Come All Ye” performed by Karine Polwart in The Italian Chapel, Orkney, August 2013.

YouTube video by Alan Ferrier

youtube.com

1 WEEK TO GO! ⏰⏰⏰ There are just seven days until the Boswell Book Festival takes over the beautiful grounds of Dumfries House! From award-winning authors, journalists, stars of the stage and screen, there is something for everyone at our festival. Book your tickets www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

"Bards Apart" casts new light on the poetic genius of #RobertBurns with a magical performance that connects the national bard of Scotland with the national bard of ancient Iran, #HafezShiraz, with startling results. You can book your tickets here: bit.ly/BurnsHafeztickets

For this #Worldartday why not pick up "The Two Roberts" by the brilliant @damianbarr.bsky.social? The novel, longlisted for the @walterscottprize.bsky.social, is a searing exploration of art, class, and sexuality. Damian joins us next month, and you can too: bit.ly/DamianBarrtickets

“The Shapeshifter’s Daughter” by Sally Magnusson is a powerful and poignant tale of reclamation and self-discovery as a god of death and a dying mortal meet in an enchanted location where myth and history mingle under the wintering solstice sun Book your tickets today: bit.ly/sallymagnussontickets

In a year that Scotland will play in a first #WorldCup in a generation, legendary broadcaster Dougie Donnelly will join us to talk about his life in sport and showbusiness. You can join him live or online to hear of his storied career and candid encounters with the stars: bit.ly/DougieDonnelly

Boswell Book Festival 2026 8–10 May Tickets are on sale for the 2026 @bozzybookfest.bsky.social, the world’s only festival of biography & memoir. The festival is a programme of stories taken from the inspirational lives of people past & present #biography #memoir 💙📚 www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

The world’s only festival of biography and memoir, set in the spectacular grounds of Dumfries House, draws an enthusiastic audience attracted by its unique theme.

boswellbookfestival.co.uk

@nicolasturgeon.bsky.social's appearance at the Boswell Book Festival is a triumphant homecoming for the former First Minister, who was born in Ayrshire. Her new memoir, 'Frankly', provides a compelling window into a life lived in private and public spheres. www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

@tonyjuniper.bsky.social has dedicated his career to protecting and recovering the natural world He will be joining us to talk about his life as a tireless campaigner and ‘Just Earth: How a Fairer World will Save the Planet’ his new manifesto of hope You can book now: www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

Justin Marozzi is an acclaimed historian and journalist steeped in the history and cultures of the Muslim world His book Captives and Companions is a compelling account of how captivity has shaped the past and the continuing story of a world region www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

Following her first appearance in 2015 we are thrilled to announce that Jung Chang will return to our Festival this year with the long-awaited follow up to her bestselling memoir 'Wild Swans' Jung Chang will be speaking on Friday 8 May at 18.00. Tickets are available now: boswellbookfestival.co.uk

Very excited that this is my first book festival as a speaker and not a little intimidated by the rest of the lineup. Book now 👇

Boswell Book Festival@bozzybookfest.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Our 2026 programme is now LIVE! You can now visit our website to see our amazing selection of talks for this year. Tickets are available from March 19. Though you can unlock priority booking and get ahead of the crowds by becoming a Friend of the Festival. www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

Our 2026 programme is now LIVE! You can now visit our website to see our amazing selection of talks for this year. Tickets are available from March 19. Though you can unlock priority booking and get ahead of the crowds by becoming a Friend of the Festival. www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

Dumfries House is one of many things that makes the Boswell Book Festival such a special weekend As the Headquarters of the King’s Foundation, our treasured venue stars in "Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision" Tune in to see Dumfries House & the brilliant people who make our festival happen each May!

I am really looking forward to this, as I will be talking about my latest book, The Road to Mons Graupius...more details to follow.

Boswell Book Festival@bozzybookfest.bsky.social · 7mo ago

The Boswell Book Festival returns this spring! Across May 8-10 our festival will present a rich tapestry of real-life stories, along with explorations of art, history, music, sport, food, and everything that makes life worth living We hope you will join us for a stimulating and fun-packed weekend

The Boswell Book Festival returns this spring! Across May 8-10 our festival will present a rich tapestry of real-life stories, along with explorations of art, history, music, sport, food, and everything that makes life worth living We hope you will join us for a stimulating and fun-packed weekend

Boswell Book Festival shortlisted for award! We are honoured to join the Helping It Happen Awards 2025 shortlist as one of Scotland’s rural champions. Organised by Scottish Land & Estates the #HiH2025 awards recognise the people and projects driving positive change in rural Scotland.

First @bozzybookfest.bsky.social interview of the year done ... Rupert Everett!

The brilliant Rupert Everett at the Boswell Book Festival. His new collection of short stories are inspired by film pitches that never got made. @bozzybookfest.bsky.social #booksky

Ingrained is an inspirational homecoming story of Callum Robinson leaving the world of commercial design to return to his workshop in the Scottish hills There he handcrafts bespoke furniture for people who will pass it on in a refreshing antidote to a culture of disposability bit.ly/Bozzfest

New event alert! 📢📢📢 The Inside Scoop: Magnus Linklater, Allan Little & Sally Magnusson For a one-off festival event, we are assembling three influential commentators who have all reported on the revolving door at No. 10 This scintillating trio will gather at 18:30, Sun 11 May bit.ly/Bozzfest

Linda Porter and @huntingrebels.bsky.social combine to discuss two Queens The Thistle and the Rose is the story of the misunderstood and underestimated monarch, Margaret Tudor Captive Queen vividly describes the long incarceration of Mary Queen of Scots Join us in-person or online bit.ly/Bozzfest

Adam Nicolson is an award-winning nature writer with a deep knowledge of the Scottish landscape. He joins us to discuss his new book, Bird School, a lyrical and philosophical exploration of (seemingly) ordinary birds and our relationship with the wild. Book for in-person or online bit.ly/Bozzfest

How do we sustain feelings of happiness and contentment? Best-selling author and Buddhist Monk Gelong Thubten joins us to discuss his 'Handbook for Hard Times', an invaluable guide to sustaining happiness by transforming our perceptions of suffering and freeing ourselves from fear: bit.ly/Bozzfest

Legendary DJ and journalist Billy Sloan has lived his life for music, championing emerging artists who would soon define their era Billy will be joined by Heather Suttie, to talk about his storied career and his many enduring friendships with the stars Join us in person or online: bit.ly/Bozzfest

Just one week to go! We look forward to welcoming you all to the gorgeous grounds of Dumfries House for the only festival dedicated to biography & memoir anywhere in the world. We hope you will join us for this rich celebration of stories, ideas, lives, and people! www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

In his moving memoir Slum Boy, celebrated visual artist Juano Diaz shares his experiences of growing up between bouts of poverty and adoption and the role that public museums played in nurturing his imagination You can join us for this inspirational story both in-person and online: bit.ly/Bozzfest