A Wonderful Weekend In Mallaig

Book-lovers from all over Britain gathered in the West Highland Hotel over the weekend of November 8-10 for A Write Highland Hoolie, Mallaig’s very own book festival.

The sun had just set late on Friday afternoon as the award-winning poet, writer and musician Don Paterson took to the stage for the festival’s opening event. His stories from his early life in Dundee and readings from his often-hilarious memoir Toy Fights set the tone for an unforgettable weekend of books, blethers and brilliant banter.

Saturday began with author Linda Cracknell, whose moving reflections on the bonds between people, places and memory resonated with many in the audience. She was followed by marine biologist Natalie Sanders, an expert on the West Coast community of orca – and no sooner had Natalie finished her event than the cry went up that humpback whales had been spotted from the hotel’s terrace. Full marks to the cetaceans for perfect timing!

After a delicious lunch, Booker Prize shortlisted Graeme Macrae Burnet held the audience spellbound as he talked about the minute observational details that characterise his writing, while everyone was secretly glad they’d already eaten before Suzie Edge’s outrageously funny and frank romp through some of history’s most famous body parts. Not one for the faint of heart!

There was a full house for acclaimed author, broadcaster and historian Alistair Moffat, who enthralled the audience with the depth and breadth of his knowledge of the Highlands and Islands, and the final event of the afternoon continued the themes of place, people and belonging that had been developing throughout the day when Dougie Strang, accompanied by musicians Iain MacFarlane and Ingrid Henderson, took an atmospheric journey through Scotland’s folklore and myths.

Music is at the heart of the Hoolie experience, and some of the finest traditional musicians in the Highlands entertained ticket holders and hotel residents each night, with Ross Martin and Eilidh Shaw on the Friday, and Iain MacFarlane and Ingrid Henderson on the Saturday.

There were more than a few bleary eyes on Sunday morning after a late night when the drams flowed freely, but David Greig’s session on his debut novel Columba’s Bones, set on Iona in AD 825, soon blew away any lingering cobwebs.

After a moving commemoration of Remembrance Day, complete with piper, it was time for endurance cyclist Jenny Graham to share the highs and lows of her record-breaking round-the-world adventure. Her energy, humour and self-deprecating honesty made this a standout event in a weekend already full of memorable moments, and she richly deserved the standing ovation she received at the end from an awestruck audience. No-one who was there will ever forget her vivid description of how to manage a toilet break without getting off your bike in order to avoid being eaten by bears!

Morar-based author Tom O. Keenan gave a fascinating insight into the dark and gritty world of his tartan noir novels featuring the psycho-sleuth Sean Rooney before the final event of the festival, the children’s prize-giving and tea party. Children’s author Alan Windram, helped by illustrator Kate Leiper, led an all-singing, all-dancing performance based on his latest book, Kevin the Orange, complete with flying fluffy oranges, before the talented youngsters were rewarded for their winning stories and artwork.

It was the perfect end to another successful Highland Hoolie, and as guests prepared to set off for home, the question they were all asking was, “When can I book up for next year?” Details will be available soon, once the members of Team Hoolie have caught their breath! Follow A Write Highland Hoolie on Facebook to be the first to hear about 2025’s festival.