It’s hard to believe that despite being an avid reader for most of my life and a writer for sixteen years, I had never been to a book festival until last week. When I ask myself why, I’m pleased to reply that it’s not only because of my prejudices and assumptions, though I confess they played a part. As did apathy. You mean I have to go out? But I like it here in my cosy hobbity home, safely hidden from the Big Bad World. Distance was also a factor, with transport and accommodation costs making the trip beyond my budget. Many years as a low-earning craftsman convinced me I didn’t want to waste my somewhat limited and hard-earned cash on listening to an author banging on about their book. I mostly bought second-hand or used the library, so I wasn’t going to buy their stuff anyway.
Well, after this week’s St Duthac Book and Arts Festival (my local), I have realised what I’ve been missing out on. Now only in its second year, it has already established itself as a firm fixture in Scotland’s literary calendar. I was tempted to dip my toe in the bookish waters last year, but circumstances conspired to keep me away. The hard-working committee of eight and a team of volunteers organise dozens of events in venues across the Easter Ross Peninsula. It included an exceptional range of authors, poets, speakers, performers, artists and musicians as well as art and heritage trails and events for children. Not only was it affordable, but some events were also free.
My first experience was Life in a Post Human Landscape, an intriguing and engrossing talk by Cal Flynn, author of Islands of Abandonment, in which she explored what happens when humans leave and nature reclaims an area. From Chernobyl’s nuclear legacy to a herd of cows abandoned on a Scottish island, she discovered surprising and fascinating examples of nature’s power to recolonise abused or neglected land. I hadn’t read the book, but I certainly will now.
On Saturday, I went to the Nigg Hall Book Fair, now in its fifth year and affiliated with the St Duthac festival. Here I met several of the eighteen Scottish and local writers and enjoyed talking to them about their work, publishers, agents and the book world in general. Volunteers provided drinks, cakes and soup for donations and a group of musicians welcomed us just outside the entrance. I emerged with a happy heart and several books I had not intended to buy.
Later that day, I popped into Inver village hall for Julia McGhee’s showcase of The Morrich Project. With choreography, performance and multi-media effects, Julia collaborates with artists across various disciplines to create work with a strong connection to landscape and humans’ presence within it.
Every day offered more opportunities than I could take in, so on Sunday, my wife and I cherry-picked a reading and chat with the wonderful Mandy Haggith, poet and author of five marvellous novels, all of which I’ve read. In the cosy sofa-stuffed lounge of the Royal Hotel in Tain, the intimate audience sat captivated and charmed as Mandy read her work and answered our questions. Her enthusiasm and warmth were engaging and uplifting. Her work encompasses many themes including brochs, bears, trees and the sea – what’s not to like?
Afterwards, we sidled into the pop-up bookshop and exhibition in the next room with work by local artists and authors and hundreds of second-hand books. You guessed it – this resulted in more unintended book purchases. We finished off the afternoon with a visit to the newly opened Pipers Coffee House and indulged in coffee and cake overlooking the high street from the large windowed upstairs room.
So, if you’re a book festival virgin, I can only encourage you to overcome any reservations you may have and embrace the experiences on offer. I’ll be finished my degree by the time next year’s St Duthac Book and Arts Festival comes around, and I have absolutely no idea what I’ll be doing with my life. However, whatever my circumstances, I will not let them interfere with my plan to become a book fest groupie, volunteer whatever help I can, and immerse myself as fully as possible in the many pleasures on offer.
Geoff King 