It may be one of the coldest winters most of us can remember, but there will soon be a warming treat in store for anyone who likes nothing more than to curl up by the fireside with a good book.
Now in its seventh year, the Winter Words Festival makes a welcome return to Pitlochry Festival Theatre on Friday with an exciting line-up that includes activities for all ages.
Some of the highlights of this year’s programme are broadcaster Sally Magnusson, renowned naturalist Sir John Lister-Kaye, writer, explorer and television presenter Monty Halls and literary superstar Louis de Bernieres, author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and, most recently, The Partisan’s Daughter.
Spanning 10 days, 38 authors, broadcasters and wordsmiths will come together and there is also a wide selection of events for children.
Visitors looking to treat themselves to some grub can take advantage of the literary lunches on offer, including a unique event on February 5 in honour of the world’s worst poet William Topaz McGonagall.
To celebrate a new biography of the Dundee poet, written by award-winning local author Norman Watson, the audience will enjoy a three-course lunch, served in reverse, and a ‘well kent’ face from the Pitlochry stage will read from the poet’s works, which have been popularised by Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers amongst others.
For those who like a bit of audience participation, the results of the Fearie Tales competition will prove a source of inspiration. The scheme encourages would-be authors to pen original fairy stories, while younger writers are asked to come up with short and scary stories.
With the entry date now passed, it will remain to be seen which of the lucky entrants will have their tales read aloud at theatre’s Ben-y-Vrackie Bar on both Fridays and Saturdays throughout the festival’s two weekends.
There will also be creative writing workshops hosted by local authors, including a three-day intensive course.
Back by popular demand, Dundee writer Zoe Venditozzi will take students through the basics of creative writing from plotting a story to developing tone and character.
She said, “Pitlochry is an exciting and vibrant festival where people can kick off the literary calendar. We are in the doldrums in January and February and it’s nice to get a kick at the start of the year with such an interesting and varied programme.”For more information visit www.pitlochry.org.uk