Books, Books, Books!

Here at Team Hoolie, we read a LOT of books!

That’s partly because we’re all great book-lovers. But it’s also because of our dedication to creating the very best experience for our audiences each November.

When putting together the programme for the festival every year, we consider dozens and dozens of books and authors. Only the very best make it on to our shortlist.

We’re looking for variety, of course, as well as books that will excite, interest and pique the curiosity of the hundreds of people who make the journey to Mallaig each year.

Even then, we need to be sure each book selected truly lives up to its blurb. And that’s when the reading starts! We work our way through piles of books so we can honestly say that every title chosen to feature on the Hoolie programme comes with our seal of approval.

This year, we were spoiled for choice. There are so many brilliant books being published at the moment, and whittling our list down wasn’t easy. We did it, though, and you can see full details of this year’s programme at www.a-write-highland-hoolie.com/programme-2025. Tickets are also now on sale at www.a-write-highland-hoolie.com/book-now.

Of course, we don’t limit ourselves to reading only potential candidates for inclusion in the Hoolie programme. Here are just a few of the books from our general reading list that we’ve enjoyed recently, for anyone who’s looking for recommendations or inspiration.

The Secrets of Blythswood Square by Sara Sheridan: a perfect summer read set in Glasgow and Edinburgh during the early days of photography.

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese: a sweeping, epic, unforgettable novel which follows the lives of generations of an Indian family.

North Woods by Daniel Mason: an original, beautiful and magical story with a really powerful and resonant message for our times.

Gabriel’s Moon by William Boyd: a twisty-turny 1960s spy thriller that will keep you guessing till the end.

What You Are Looking For Is In The Library by Michiko Ayama: a gentle, kindly reminder of the power of books and libraries from a hugely successful Japanese author.

Happy reading!

Our Programme For 2025

What an exciting week it’s been, with the announcement of the programme for A Write Highland Hoolie 2025! We’re thrilled to have a truly stellar line-up in store for you this November 7-9, and the good news is that tickets are now on sale from our website, with prices held at the same levels as last year.

The festival opens at 5.30 pm on Friday November 7 with the multi-talented author and singer-songwriter Malachy Tallack, who will be reading from his latest novel, That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz, and playing music from the soundtrack album that accompanies the book. After-dinner musical entertainment for ticket holders and hotel residents will be provided by talented duo Donald Livingstone and Iain Cameron.

Saturday’s packed programme begins with Dundee writer Michelle Sloan, whose gripping novel Mrs Burke and Mrs Hare tells the dark tale of the wives of Edinburgh’s notorious serial killers Burke and Hare. Then award-winning poet Jim Carruth will read from his critically acclaimed collection, The Auchensale Trilogy, and share new work inspired by Scotland’s rural heritage.

Galloway-based novelist Karen Campbell kicks off a great Saturday afternoon with This Bright Life, which tells the heartbreaking, yet humorous and hopeful, story of twelve-year-old Gerard, a bright kid who doesn’t always make good decisions.

Karen will be followed by writer Andrew Fleming, whose book The Gravity of Feathers draws on previously untapped sources and fresh insights to tell the story of St Kilda from earliest times up to the evacuation and its aftermath, overturning the traditional view of the circumstances that led to the last islanders being evacuated in 1930.

Staying with the island theme, Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker, takes us on a journey through Scotland’s rich culinary heritage, sharing recipes and stories to tempt our tastebuds and stir our memories. Then we settle down for an unmissable event in the company of master storyteller and international best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith, one of Scotland’s most prolific and best-loved writers.

Saturday’s after-dinner entertainment for ticket holders and residents will be provided by musicians Iain MacFarlane and Ingrid Henderson, who will create a lively ceilidh atmosphere to keep the party going into the wee small hours.

Film-maker and illustrator Jane Smith starts Sunday in style with her book Community: People and Wildlife on the West Coast of Scotland, a gloriously illustrated account of her exploration of ten locations in the west of Scotland and the interaction between people and wildlife in a variety of diverse settings.

Our traditional Remembrance Day reading is followed by D.V. Bishop, author of the highly acclaimed Cesare Aldo historical thrillers set in Renaissance Florence, whose latest novel, Carnival of Lies, has been described as ‘the best Aldo book yet’.

Sunday’s afternoon event is a delight for all dog-lovers! BBC Alba presenter Peter MacQueen shares shaggy dog stories from his new book, Tails of Scotland: The Story of Scottish Dogs. 

Our final event of the weekend sees children’s author Alan Windram leading an all-singing and dancing event based on his book, One Button Benny, with tea and cake provided by Mallaig Primary School parents and Gaelic songs from the children. All are welcome at this fun event which brings A Write Highland Hoolie to a close for another year.

Tickets are priced at just £8 for daytime events and £14 for evening sessions and are on sale now from www.a-write-highland-hoolie.com/book-now. To enquire about hotel reservations, call 01687 462210. We’re looking forward to sharing A Write Highland Hoolie with you!

The West Highland Hotel

In this month’s blog post, we’re focusing on the home of A Write Highland Hoolie – the gorgeous West Highland Hotel in Mallaig!

The hotel has been a Mallaig landmark for over 100 years. It was built following the completion of the West Highland Line railway in the early years of the 20th century and was originally called the Station Hotel.

For the past 15 years, it’s been owned and run by Sine and Gavin Davis, ably assisted at times by their own children as well as an assortment of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relations. It’s a real family affair, and guests feel part of that close-knit circle as soon as they check in.

Every November, over Remembrance weekend, A Write Highland Hoolie takes over the entire hotel. We might be biased but we can’t imagine a more perfect setting for a book festival! Whether you’re a Hoolie regular or thinking about attending for the first time, you can be sure of a warm welcome from the minute you walk through the door.

With a crackling log fire burning in the foyer, comfy armchairs and a bar well-stocked with a huge choice of beers, wines and spirits, it’s the ideal place to relax at any time of the year. And that’s before you add books, books and more books and a packed programme of unmissable events when the Hoolie comes to town.

It all adds up to a fabulous house-party atmosphere where friendships are forged and discussions and debates continue far into the night. Luckily, at the end of every evening your bed is just a few short steps away!

The hotel’s location, perched above Mallaig, could not be more convenient for visitors. It’s just a five-minute walk from the railway station and ferry port, and there’s ample parking for those travelling by car.

Its elevated position means the hotel enjoys amazing views out across the water to the islands of Skye, Rum and Eigg, and it’s not unusual to spot marine life from the terrace. Last year, some humpback whales put in an appearance shortly after Natalie Sanders’ event on orcas, delighting everyone lucky enough to spot them.

When you book your Hoolie accommodation package at the West Highland Hotel, you’ll be able to choose from a number of room options ranging from Economy right through to the luxurious Hot Tub Studios. Your package includes all meals for the duration of the festival, but not your event tickets – those have to be purchased separately once booking opens in the summer.

To find out more or to book your accommodation, call the hotel direct on 01687 462210. Please don’t try to book online as all the rooms have already been set aside for Hoolie guests and will show as unavailable.

We’ll see you in Mallaig in November!