The Mallaig Book Festival
A Write Highland Hoolie!
7 - 9 November 2025
Fri 07 Nov
|Mallaig
A Write Highland Hoolie 2025
Welcome to A Write Highland Hoolie 2025
Time & Location
07 Nov 2025, 17:30 – 09 Nov 2025, 17:00
Mallaig, Davies Brae, Mallaig PH41 4QZ, UK
About the Event
A Write Highland Hoolie is Mallaig's unique and much-loved Book Festival. It will take place from Friday, November 7th to Sunday, November 9th 2025 at the West Highland Hotel, Mallaig. Join us for an unforgettable weekend of conversation, fun and friendship, with events featuring world-class authors and some of Scotland's finest traditional musicians.
Tickets
Fri 5.30-6.45 MALACHY TALLACK
Friday 5.30-6.45pm: That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz - Malachy Tallack. Award-winning author and singer-songwriter Malachy's latest novel is accompanied by an album containing songs performed by the author and some of Scotland’s most talented musicians. In this event, Malachy will take us on an exploration of friendship, the power of music and the pull of home. Ticket price includes a complimentary dram and admission to after-dinner music in the bar with Donald Livingstone and Iain Cameron.
£14.00
Sat 9.30-10.30 MICHELLE SLOAN
9.30-10.30 am: Mrs Burke and Mrs Hare - Michelle Sloan. In her new novel, Michelle returns once again to Edinburgh. This time, she focuses on the dark tale of the wives of the infamous Burke and Hare, and their involvement in the murders of sixteen people. It’s a chilling story inspired by real-life events that will keep readers gripped to the end.
£8.00
Sat 11.00-12 JIM CARRUTH
11.00am-12 noon: From The Far Field - Jim Carruth. Award-winning poet Jim will read and discuss work from his three books of the Auchensale trilogy - Black Cart, Bale Fire and Far Field - a series 25 years in the making. He will also share some new work for the first time anywhere.
£8.00
Sat 1.15-2.15 KAREN CAMPBELL
1.15-2.15pm: This Bright Life - Karen Campbell. Galloway-based Karen is the author of nine novels. Her latest book, This Bright Life, was published in March 2025 and tells the story of twelve-year-old Gerard, a bright kid who doesn’t always make good decisions. Heartbreaking, yet brim-full of humour and hope, it's a novel about messy lives, second chances and the many hands it takes to build a boy.
£8.00
Sat 2.45-3.45 ANDREW FLEMING
2.45-3.45pm: The Gravity of Feathers - Andrew Fleming. This new book overturns the traditional view of the circumstances that led to the last islanders being evacuated from St Kilda in 1930. Drawing on previously untapped sources and fresh insights, Andrew tells the story of St Kilda from earliest times up to the evacuation and its aftermath, bringing to life the characters and culture of the islanders themselves as well as the numerous outsiders who engaged with them.
£8.00
Sat 4.15-5.15 HEBRIDEAN BAKER
4.15-5.15pm: The Hebridean Baker: The Scottish Cookbook - Coinneach MacLeod. In his fourth book, Coinneach shares his skills for Scottish cooking and baking with tempting recipes and more fascinating stories from the islands. This cookbook is a celebration of Scotland's timeless culinary traditions and an introduction to new recipes sure to become future family favourites.
£8.00
Sat 5.45-7.00 A. MCCALL SMITH
5.45-7.00pm: In Conversation with Alexander McCall Smith. Spend an evening in the company of one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors. To date, Alexander has written over 100 books, and his wildly popular The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series has sold over 20 million copies in the English language alone. Join him for an unforgettable event filled with warmth and humour. Ticket price includes after-dinner music in the bar with Ingrid Henderson and Iain MacFarlane.
£14.00
Sun 10.00-10.55 JANE SMITH
10.00-10.55 am: Community: People and Wildlife on the West Coast of Scotland - Jane Smith. In her gloriously illustrated book, Jane sets out from her own garden in Argyll and travels to ten locations in the west of Scotland. From the towering cliffs of St Kilda and the peatlands of Lewis to the Solway estuary and the urban sprawl of Glasgow, she explores the interaction of people and wildlife in a variety of diverse settings.
£8.00
Sun 11.45-12.45 D.V. BISHOP
11.45am-12.45pm: Carnival of Lies - D.V. Bishop. David is the author of the highly acclaimed Cesare Aldo historical thrillers set in Renaissance Florence. Fans are in for a real treat with his latest novel, Carnival of Lies, which has been described as ‘the best Aldo book yet’.
£8.00
Sun 2.00-3.00 PETER MACQUEEN
2.00-3.00pm: Tales of Scotland: The Story of Scottish Dogs - Peter MacQueen. This new book is based on the popular TV show Peter presents on BBC Alba. In it, he explores Scotland's most celebrated canine breeds, guided by some of the most spirited and lovable dogs ever to leave their pawprints on history. From the sheep-covered hills of the Borders to the windswept Isle of Skye, Tails of Scotland: The Story of Scottish Dogs will take you on a journey of dog-filled delight.
£8.00
Total
£0.00