CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Gryffe Valley Book Festival

The first ever Gryffe Valley Book Festival will run from 6th to the 12th September in venues across Bridge of Weir, Houston and Kilmacolm!

Gryffe Valley Book Festival

About Gryffe Valley Book Festival

Tickets are on sale now for all 13 events at www.eventbrite.com and features Lin Anderson, Anne Cleeves, Sean Batty, Heather Suttie and many more.

The festival features a mix of sessions for children; a workshop for budding creative writers; some of Scotland’s top crime writers and a chance to enjoy a night of music at The Houston Inn, with proceeds going to Project Go, a local family charity supporting Duchenne UK.

The Gryffe Valley Book Festival will be held in venues in Bridge of Weir, Houston and Kilmacolm and has been created by the team behind The Ginger Cat Bookshop and Tryptych Studios in Bridge of Weir.

The Ginger Cat has been staging successful book events in Bridge of Weir for a year and already brought Andrew O'Hagan, Alex Gray, Sara Sheridan, Billy Sloan, Scotland’s National Chef, Gary McLean and Chris Brookmyre who will be discussing his latest book on Friday 9 August.

The Ginger Cat Bookshop owner Aileen Jeffrey said: “The idea for the festival came about from seeing people enjoying meeting fantastic authors over the last 12 months and being inspired by the huge love of books and writing we hear about from customers every day. It's a festival that we hope will grow year on year, a festival that not only shouts loudly about books and reading for pleasure but also music, art and science. As independent businesses we want to help our community develop and maintain a lifelong love of reading, so the time is right to launch the Gryffe Valley Book Festival. We are delighted with the line-up and hope people in the area will come and have a fantastic time in the company of brilliant authors and hosts and that it encourages a love for the arts and science. We hope that through our events that wonderful memories are made for young and old alike”

The festival begins on Friday 6 September when author and musician Jenna Reid tells tales from her first children's book Telescope Telescope and will perform songs and music aimed at young people.

That evening (6 September) Witches of Scotland podcaster Zoe Venditozzi discusses the Scottish Witch Trials with authors CJ Cooke and Victoria Williamson.

On Saturday 7 September, children's author Barbara Henderson reveals the inspiration behind her book Rivet Boy and its local connection; every child will be gifted be a free copy of the book (gifted by the Gryffe Valley Rotary Club), this is followed by a Rivet Boy Bridge Building Workshop hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers. Tickets for this event are free.

Also on Saturday (7 September), comedian and author Eleanor Morton is in conversation with broadcaster Heather Suttie discussing her book Life Lessons from Historical Women, followed by an Afternoon of Crime with Bloody Scotland's Lin Anderson and Craig Robertson.

The final author event of Saturday (7 September) will be Andy the Highlander at the Gryffe Valley Book Festival as he discusses his new book Lochs and Legends with STV weatherman Sean Batty, who has just announced his first children’s book will be published later in the year.

Saturday (7 September) rounds off with an evening of music with Paul from The Festivals plus special guest at The Houston Inn.

Sunday (8 September) is a mini festival day with craft fair, it starts with a Festival Bookbug session of stories, songs and rhymes for the very young developing their lifelong love of reading, followed by a fun poetry and art session with Poet Julie Anna Douglas, for ages 5-7. Then you can join Silly Science Scotland for free Silly Science Workshops and get ready to have a blast with some fun experiments for ages 4-12 or take part as children's author Lindsay Littleson delivers a free introduction to Creative Writing suitable for 8-12 year olds. Spray paint artist Bmore Sketchy will be spray painting a festival mural all day with children invited to try spray painting on an accompanying board.

There is also a school programme running during the festival with visits from Abi Elphinstone, Martin Stewart and for the high schools, Margaret McDonald. Women's Aid in Renfrewshire will also benefit from a free poetry workshop by Amy Moreno, sponsored by Alliance Ambulance Service.

The festival ends on Thursday 12 September with an unmissable event for crime fiction fans when Ann Cleeves, the writer who inspired tv shows Vera and Shetland is in conversation with Colin McCredie, still fondly remembered for his role as DC Stuart Fraser in the crime series Taggart. 10% of ticket sales going to Project GO supporting Duchenne UK.

Sponsored Links

Pace Youth Theatre
Pawrade
Napier Uni
Napier Uni

Similar events you might like...

Renfrewshire Bookbug Sessions

Renfrewshire Bookbug Sessions

Selected dates between 6th January 2025 - 20th December 2025
Various Locations Renfrewshire

Free, fun and fantastic! Renfrewshire Libraries run several interactive song, rhyme and story Bookbug sessions throughout the week!

READ MORE
Film & Comic Con Glasgow

Film & Comic Con Glasgow

16th August 2025 - 17th August 2025

The Film & Comic Con Glasgow returns to Braehead Arena on the weekend of the 16th & 17th August bringing you the best in autograph sessions, photo shoots and panels with your favourite celebrities!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

WSS Media Scotland
ATG
Go Radio
Hostelworld

Find other events in Renfrewshire

Sponsored Links

Pace Youth Theatre
Pawrade
Napier Uni
Napier Uni
WSS Media Scotland
ATG
Go Radio
Hostelworld

Popular Events

Gie Us a Go: Sing with Paisley Opera
Come and sing with Paisley Opera's Community Chorus and see if you'd like to join their next show. No auditions and no pressure! You CAN dae it! Sing with Paisley Opera!
Motown Tribute Night with Motown Brothers
the fabulous Motown Brothers will take you through all the classics and are sure to get you on your feet dancing when they come to the Glynhill Hotel!
Murder Mystery Afternoon - Murder at the Music Awards
Join Renfrewshire Board Gamers at Be Capri, Paisley for a fun filled couple of hours on this fully scripted murder mystery event, Murder at the Music Awards!
Floral Art Demonstration with Afternoon Tea
Don't miss a floral art demonstration by Jane Gordon followed by afternoon tea at Paisley Abbey on Saturday 31st May!
World War II Talk and Artefacts
Paisley Heritage are joined by Pete Scally at Whitehaugh Barracks on Wednesday 28th May for a talk on World War II.

Popular Listings

Beacon Arts Centre Braehead Arena Johnstone Town Hall Old Swan Inn Paisley Paisley Abbey Paisley Arts Centre Paisley Town Hall Robertson Park Renfrew The Bungalow Paisley Venue Paisley