Main Programme

A 10-day literary celebration in Scotland's National Book Town

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wigtown YA

Daringly dynamic, boldly diverse; Wigtown Young Adult literary programme

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Big Wig children's programme highlights

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Programme in PDF

Download the full 2026 Wigtown Book Festival programme PDF

Download PDF programme
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Become a Book Town Friend

We believe a community of books changes lives and that by becoming a Friend of Wigtown Book Town you can too.

As a Book Town Friend for £40 a year you will receive:

  • priority ticket booking
  • free mailing of the festival programme
  • an invitation to the Festival Opening Party
  • priority invitation to special events
  • e-newsletters with the latest Wigtown Book Town news
Become a Book Town Friend
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News and Articles

TICKET SALES ARE NOW OPEN

Programmer Lee Randall gives her overview of the 2026 Festival

22 Jul 2026
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Turn Words Into Art for Wigtown Ounce Dice Trice Poetry Trail

Call for artists and makers to help festival celebrate great Galloway poet’s centenary

30 Jun 2026
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Trails and Tails

Callout for Artists, Writers and Creatives!

18 Jun 2026
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Acknowledging the death of former Board member Sandra McDowall

5 Jun 2026
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Neil Forsyth is a powerhouse of creativity whose work is read and watched by umpteen millions across the globe

BAFTA winner, novelist and creator of Dundonian comedy gem Bob Servant

26 May 2026
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Long-time friend of Wigtown Book Festival, we are delighted to welcome Sally Magnusson back to discuss her latest novel

Set in Orkney, The Shapeshifter’s Daughter retells the Norse myth of Hel, goddess of the underworld.

25 May 2026
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From our bookshop, Number Twenty-six

Every purchase supports Wigtown Book Festival and our year-round events.

For browsing in person, Number Twenty-six is open Monday to Saturday.

Folklore of Trees
Folklore of Trees
Aidan Meighan
£12.99
View in Shop
Witch Trial
Witch Trial
Harriet Tyce
£18.99
View in Shop
Wild History : Journeys into Lost Scotland
Wild History : Journeys into Lost Scotland
James Crawford
£12.99
View in Shop
The Shapeshifter's Daughter
The Shapeshifter's Daughter
Sally Magnusson
£10.99
View in Shop

Books for children and young adults

We stock a large selection of books for readers of different ages.

Bothered by Bugs
Bothered by Bugs
Emily Gravett
£8.99
View in Shop
My Granny Went to Scotland and she brought back . . .
My Granny Went to Scotland and she brought back . . .
Mike Nicholson
£6.99
View in Shop
Firebloom
Firebloom
Justin Davies
£7.99
View in Shop
The Uninvited
The Uninvited
Ross MacKenzie
£7.99
View in Shop

Visiting the festival

Sustainable Travel

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Accessibility

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Eat, drink and stay

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Friends and Day Passes

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Bookshops

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Venues

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Opportunities for Writers

Wigtown Poetry Prizes

20 years of Scotland's International Poetry Competition
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The Anne Brown Essay Prize

£1500 for the best literary essay by a writer in or from Scotland
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Trails and Tales

Callout for Artists, Writers and Creatives!
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Support Us

Donate

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Children's Lottery Partnership

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Become a Sponsor

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Interior of The Bookshop, Wigtown. Armchair by fireplace, bookshelves and lamp. Antiquarian and second hand books.
The sort of festival people become possessive about

The Guardian