A Blether O Books: Scotland Through Literature

Join the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum this November as they welcome a selection of authors in this celebration of Scottish literature!

About A Blether O Books: Scotland Through Literature

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is proud to present the second annual Blether O' Books, where we are joined by some of Scotland's finest literary minds. With an exciting and varied programme of authors, we are given a window into modern Scottish society.

Saturday 1st November: A Blether O' Books with Anna Groundwater
10.30am
Dr Anna Groundwater contextualises the Scottish past in Connecting Two Millenia of Scotland's History, kicking off A Blether O' Books 2025.
Dr Anna Groundwater is a cultural and social historian of early modern Scotland, currently Principal Curator of Renaissance and Early Modern History at National Museums Scotland. She is the author of Connecting Scotland's History: a Scottish history timeline within 2,000 years of world history (Luath Press, 2025).

Saturday 1st November: A Blether O' Books with Malachy Tallack
12.30pm
In That Beautiful Atlantic Waltz, award-winning author and songwriter Malachy Tallack discusses his novel of the same name. He will also perform songs from the book's accompanying album.

Saturday 1st November: A Blether O' Books with Kirsty Wark
2.30pm
Join Kirsty Wark, renowned Scottish author and broadcaster for In Conversation with Kirsty Wark in which she discusses her own novels, and what fiction impacted on her and her audience.
Kirsty Wark has built up a reputation as one of the UK's most formidable and versatile television journalists. She is best known as an anchor on the BBC's flagship News and Current Affairs show Newsnight. Kirsty has written two novels - The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle and The House by the Loch - both published by Two Roads. She is currently writing her third novel.

Sunday 2nd November: A Blether O' Books with Lesley Riddoch
10.30am
Lesley Riddoch, award winning broadcaster and journalist, considers "Are Scots the most indoor folk in Europe?"
Lesley Riddoch has written five books - Huts: A Place Beyond, McSmorgasbord, Riddoch On The Outer Hebrides, Blossom: What Scotland Needs To Flourish, Thrive: The Freedom To Flourish and co-produced/presented six films (the latest about Denmark was being screened in early 2024). The latest film, plus others about Norway, Faroes, Iceland, Estonia and the Declaration of Arbroath, are available online.

Sunday 2nd November: A Blether O' Books with Lin Anderson
12.30pm
Forensic Fact Meets Fiction in this event with Lin Anderson, best selling author of the Dr Rhona MacLeod series of forensic thrillers.
Lin regularly chairs events at literary and science festivals and conferences, and gives talks on Forensic Fact Meets Forensic Fiction entertaining audiences with amazing true-crime anecdotes, and giving unique insights into her world of story-telling.

Sunday 2nd November: A Blether O' Books with Gerda Stevenson
2.30pm
Gerda Stevenson, award-winning writer/actor/director/singer-songwriter, presents her wide-ranging work in Consider the Quines, including her celebrated book QUINES: Poems in tribute to Women of Scotland, as well as songs associated with these remarkable quines.

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Other Events at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

Talks and Lectures

Highlight Talks

Selected dates between 7th January 2026 - 24th June 2026

Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Ayr

On selected days throughout the year the team at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and volunteers hold a Highlight Talk exploring the life and works of Robert Burns!

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