UP NEXT
Sat 3 Oct
Musical Memories of Martyn Bennett | Auditorium
20:00 - 22:00
Doors Open 19:00
What's on by date
What's on by genre
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Sat 3 Oct
Musical Memories of Martyn Bennett | Auditorium
20:00 - 22:00
Doors Open 19:00
The Birnam Book Festival showcases literature from Scotland and beyond in our beautiful corner of Perthshire, nestled among hills and woodlands by the great River Tay. From William Shakespeare and John Ruskin to Beatrix Potter, this area features strongly in literary history, and also captivates contemporary authors, poets, songwriters, and artists.
Our book festival is an inclusive event for all ages, with workshops, lively discussions, inspiring authors, and great music. A warm welcome awaits you.
Find details on all of our Birnam Book Festival events below.
Toast the festival’s return and meet patron Jamie Jauncey, celebrating the paperback release of his acclaimed memoir.
with Jamie Jauncey
We launch the festival with the latest in a darkly funny Tartan Noir series set in Edinburgh.
Grab a complementary cuppa and a pastry in the company of a ‘brunch’ of fine Scottish poets who ease us into the festival weekend.
Explore ideas and discuss book recommendations on nature, climate science, the environment, and the cli-fi genre.
with Johannah Randall
The Scottish chef, food writer, and broadcaster brings people together through the joy of food.
with Gillian Martin
Set in Orkney during WW2, an evacuee investigates the secrets and magical folklore surrounding a mysterious lighthouse.
with M-J Archibald
Learn to sew pages, create a soft spine from book cloth, and cover your notebook using decorative paper. An ideal gift!
with Fiona Valpy and Gabriella Bennett
Celebrate the launch of Fiona’s latest novel. From Shetland to Norway, this is a story of love, loss, hope, and family spanning six decades.
with Natalie Jayne Clark and Will Stockham of Dunkeld Whisky Box
Join us for a distinctive blend of malt and murder from author Natalie, an Accredited Whisky Ambassador, joined by Will, our resident expert in all matters malt.
with Fiona Ritchie
Explore how communities are transforming our idea of home with this globe-trotting journalist and author.
with Grant McPhee, Lung Leg, and Martin Hadden of Birnam CD
For our signature Saturday night blend of words and music, film-maker and author Grant McPhee chronicles the transformation of the Scottish Indie music scene.
with Debra Murphy
Children and their carers will love this creative storytelling workshop, exploring the magical adventures of Florence, the black and white Border Collie.
With Kate Leiper
Don’t miss a chance to join the festival illustrator to draw, paint, scribble, glue, and stamp as we create a community artwork.
Interactive session encouraging parents, carers and children to share stories and rhymes.
Meet Velda the Awesomest Viking in her latest fierce and funny adventure, this time to track down a magical unicorn horn.
Stories are healing, sometimes for their writers. Hear how a Dalguise puppy walked beside Debra as she recovered from life-saving surgery.
Sgeulachd Pheadair Rabaid (The Tale of Peter Rabbit) and other stories told in Gaelic.
with Colleen Nicoll-Johnston and RSD Singers
Step into the enchanting world of Beatrix Potter through original songs, written by pupils from the Royal School of Dunkeld.
with Maria Navarro Pimentel and Jane Archer
Working with community Writer in Residence Elizabeth Kostova of Asheville, North Carolina, children at the Royal School of Dunkeld wrote poetry about the River Tay.
With Kate Leiper
Don’t miss a chance to join the festival illustrator to draw, paint, scribble, glue, and stamp as we create a community artwork.
with Fiona Valpy
In her first novel for adults, the award-winning children’s author shares a Scottish folklore-inspired tale set at Hogmanay.
with patrons, sponsors, Birnam Arts partners, and festival friends
Join us to reflect on our 5th Birnam Book Festival.
Box Office
Open periodically throughout the week | Book online 24/7
Cafe
Daily | 09:00 - 17:00
I have enjoyed taking part in events such as Scots Opera before we came to live in the area. Since then we have enjoyed both attending events and the splendid cafe In the foyer. It is a brilliant example of a local/regional community arts initiative and must not be allowed to falter.
Christopher D Morris | Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020
Welcome to Birnam Arts, a boutique multi-purpose arts, conferencing and entertainment venue.
Pop in to the Foyer Cafe for breakfast, grab a delicious coffee with a selection of our homemade baking or enjoy a light lunch whilst browsing on the free WiFi. Wander upstairs to view the latest of our monthly art exhibitions before visiting the world of Beatrix Potter, or the Gift Shop to purchase a special gift for your loved ones or yourself!
We have great memories of our Wedding day at Birnam Arts. Brilliant venue.
Gemma Strachan | Crowdfunder #savebirnamarts 2020
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We had not planned to present a hybrid festival, however that changed when one of our main authors tested positive for Covid. I greatly appreciated how the team worked with us to pivot and present remotely in part, making full use of your enhanced video conferencing equipment. As a result, we were able to deliver quite complex events with several elements all showing on screen simultaneously. The audio-visual quality was excellent, and our audiences were delighted that these events could still go ahead, in spite of Covid. The author in question was really pleased that he could join us on screen and remarked that he had not been so well supported in this way at any other festival.
Fiona Ritchie | Birnam Book Festival 2022
Entrance
Kinnaird
Cafe
Beatrix Potter
Shop
Gallery
Studio
