Gryffe Valley Book Festival

Sorry you are too late, this event has been and gone!

The Gryffe Valley Book Festival is back for its second year, bringing a dynamic and diverse lineup of literary events to Renfrewshire and Inverclyde from Friday 5th to Friday 12th September!

About Gryffe Valley Book Festival

Listed Under Books Events / Days Out Events / Family and Kids Events / Nights Out Events / Talks and Lectures Events / Workshops Events

Tickets are on sale now for all events at www.eventbrite.com.

Founded and organised by Aileen Jeffrey, owner of The Ginger Cat Bookshop in Bridge of Weir - which is sadly set to close its doors after almost 4 years- the festival has quickly become a beloved celebration of books, ideas, and community.

Festival Highlights:

Friday 5th September – Headliner Opening Event
7pm | Kilmacolm Primary School
Nicola Sturgeon in conversation with Sally Magnusson about her deeply personal memoir, Frankly. A compelling and intimate discussion not to be missed.

Saturday 6th September – The Carrick Centre, Houston
• 10am – Alan Parks talks McIlvanney Prize-longlisted Gunner with Gordon Boag.
• 1pm – Tawseef Khan discusses Determination with Refuweegee's Selina Hales. This year’s charity partner is Refuweegee, supporting displaced communities.
• 7pm – Mairi Kidd and Sara Sheridan explore historical fiction with Dr Zoe Venditozzi, featuring their latest books, The Specimens and On Starlit Seas.

Sunday 7th September – Children’s Day at Somerville Hall, Quarriers Village
Family fun all day with face painting, book-themed adventures, and a real ambulance from main sponsor Alliance Ambulance for kids to explore.
• 10am – Gruffalo-themed Bookbugs: Stories, songs, and a meet-the-Gruffalo experience.
• 11:45am – Mike Nicholson: My Granny Went to Scotland, with games for ages 3–6.
• 1:30pm – Mike Nicholson returns for Solving Mysteries in Museums, ages 6–9.
• 3:30pm – Lindsay Littleson launches her new children’s novel, Linnet and the Periwinkle Flyer, with an interactive session for ages 8+.

Sunday 7th September – Evening Event
7pm | St Columba’s School, Kilmacolm
John Davidson, whose moving memoir I Swear is soon to become a major film, speaks with author Abbie Ross.

Tuesday 9th September – St Columba’s School
7pm – Robin Ince, comedian, broadcaster, and author, shares insights from his latest book, Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal.

Wednesday 10th September – Bernie’s Café Deli, Bridge of Weir
7pm – Join Fiona Shepherd, Alison Stroak, and Jonathan Trew (co-authors of Glasgow’s Greatest Hits) and broadcaster Billy Sloan for a lively evening of stories and music nostalgia.

Thursday 11th September – River Inn, Houston
7pm – A blockbuster evening with bestselling authors Paula Hawkins (The Girl on the Train) and Alice Feeney (His and Hers), in conversation with CJ Cooke.

Friday 12th September – Headliner Finale
7pm | Kilmacolm Primary School
Reverend Richard Coles, beloved broadcaster and novelist, discusses his latest mystery A Death on Location, joined by Scottish actor Colin McCredie for a witty and insightful close to the festival.

All attendees will receive a bookmark kindly made by one of our principal sponsors - The Scottish Leather Group.

This year’s Gryffe Valley Book Festival promises intimate conversations with household names, emerging voices, and unforgettable family-friendly events - all set against the backdrop of community spirit and literary celebration.

Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

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