A Write Highland Hoolie 2025

Polly Pullar and Andrew Fleming. Photo by Steve Rawson.

A Write Highland Hoolie, the Mallaig Book Festival, made a triumphant return to the West Highland Hotel over the weekend of November 7-9.

Late on Friday afternoon, the award-winning author and singer-songwriter Malachy Tallack took to the stage in front of a near-capacity crowd. Malachy’s latest novel, That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz, is set in Shetland and, uniquely, is accompanied by its own soundtrack album of country-influenced music. The audience was treated to a hauntingly beautiful performance of some of Malachy’s songs during the event, which made a memorable and very special start to a weekend full of books, blethers and brilliant banter.

The musical theme continued that evening when Donald Livingstone and Iain Cameron of the Cast Ewe Ceilidh Band kept the party going late into the night with toe-tapping tunes and good craic.

Saturday began with author Michelle Sloan, whose gripping new novel Mrs Burke and Mrs Hare focuses on the dark tale of the wives of the infamous Edinburgh serial killers. She was followed by Scotland’s leading rural poet, Jim Carruth, whose readings of his humorous, moving and perceptive poems about farming life enthralled the audience. His love poem to silage was such an uproarious hit that he was persuaded to perform it all over again at Saturday night’s ceilidh in the hotel bar.

Jim Carruth (left) and Sandy Richardson. Photo by Steve Rawson.

After lunch, Saltire Prize shortlisted Karen Campbell spoke with kindness and empathy about the characters in her latest novel, This Bright Life, which tells the heartbreaking yet hopeful story of messy lives, second chances and the many hands it takes to build a boy. Then another potential award-winner, Andrew Fleming, talked about his book, The Gravity of Feathers, which has been shortlisted for the prestigious Wolfson History Prize. This was a truly fascinating session which saw Andrew reveal how he used previously untapped sources and fresh insights to overturn the traditional view of the evacuation of St Kilda.

There was a full house for popular author, broadcaster and cook Coinneach MacLeod, better known as the Hebridean Baker, who entertained the audience with his hilarious stories and anecdotes from the islands and beyond. It was standing room only, too, for the final event of the afternoon, when Alexander McCall Smith, one of the world’s most prolific and best-loved authors, had the audience in gales of laughter as he told stories with his trademark wit and humour. It was a truly wonderful, life-affirming event that will never be forgotten by those who were lucky enough to attend.

Alexander McCall Smith and Angela Gilchrist. Photo by Steve Rawson.

Saturday’s entertainment came to a rousing conclusion when popular duo Ingrid Henderson and Iain MacFarlane played to a packed audience in the bar. Many guests took part, too, with songs and recitations, and the highlight was a brilliant rendition of the hilarious SS Politician from Charlie MacFarlane, who has been a stalwart of every Hoolie since the festival’s inception.

The first event on Sunday, with artist, filmmaker and author Jane Smith, was accompanied by her glorious illustrations, which were more than bright enough to banish the Mallaig rain clouds. After a moving commemoration of Remembrance Day, complete with piping from Pipe Major Allan MacKenzie, it was time for novelist D.V. Bishop to transport us to Renaissance Italy, the setting for his Cesare Aldo series of historical thrillers.

BBC Alba’s Peter MacQueen found himself upstaged by his three canine companions while chatting about his new book, Tails of Scotland: The Story of Scottish Dogs. Westie Flòraidh and 13-week-old Scottish deerhound puppy Sula were cute enough, but Dandie Dinmont Peigi stole the show by snoring loudly and contentedly in Peter’s arms throughout the event.

Peter MacQueen and Peigi the Dandie Dinmont. Photo by Steve Rawson.

The grand finale tea party featured wonderful Gaelic singing from the Mallaig Primary School choir, and an all-singing, all-dancing performance from children’s author Alan Windram, before the talented youngsters were rewarded with prizes for their winning stories and artwork.

Gaelic singing from Mallaig Primary School pupils. Photo by Steve Rawson.

It was the perfect end to another successful Hoolie, and with 2026 being the festival’s 10^th anniversary, ambitious plans for next year are already underway. First, though, Team Hoolie will be taking a well-deserved rest! Follow A Write Highland Hoolie on Facebook to be the first to hear about 2026’s festival.