Visit Wigtown Book Festival and You Could End Up in a New Scottish Movie

They include author talks by celebrities, novelists, leading thinkers and journalists plus poetry, theatre, guided walks, wild swimming, music, song, a ceilidh, fireworks and even a mobile Sauna in the Square.

Wigtown – The Movie (the working title) aims to capture the spirit of this remarkable rural Galloway community of less than 1,000 people and the 8,000 or more visitors they welcome each year for the festival.

Director and resident, Jessica Fox, said: “Wigtown, its festival, people and visitors are amazing. The town’s character, energy, fun, openness to outsiders and sheer sense of community make it a very special place – one that deserves its own movie, a celluloid love letter that captures some of that spirit.

“Some of the film will be scripted and we’ve recruited local people for key roles – but much will be unscripted and will be shaped by who gets involved and what happens during the festival.”

International award-winning writer and director

Jessica wrote and directed the multiple international award-winning feature film Stella, is behind a new female-led movie project called Spaghetti Western, is the author of best-selling memoir Three Things You Need to Know About Rockets and used to be a storyteller for NASA.

She and cinematographer Ben Please, who was the cameraman for Stella, will be filming throughout the 10 days.

Among the residents due to appear in the 15-minute movie (which will be screened at the 2026 festival) is Shaun Bythell, author of the hugely successful Diary of a Bookseller series and owner of The Book Shop – Scotland’s largest second-hand bookstore.

Household names at the festival

Between 26 September and 5 October visitors will flock to Wigtown to see household names like Nicola Sturgeon, Helen Lederer (star of top 80s TV comedies like Ab Fab) TV anchor Louise Minchin (discussing her novel Deception Island), and BBC newsreader Reeta Chakrabarti (with her debut novel Finding Belle).

Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie talks to Rory Cellan-Jones about The Tremolo Diaries which explores his life with Parkinson’s disease. Still Game’s Greg Hemphill and Balamory star Julie Wilson Nimmo will also be there, having followed up their TV Wild Swim series with a book celebrating the joys of a dip in Scotland’s chilly lochs and seas.

Adrian Turpin, Wigtown Book Festival Creative Director, said: “The festival so because it’s made by the entire town and community. Getting residents and visitors involved in a movie project like this is a brilliant idea – and exactly the kind of imaginative project which make the town and the festival such a joy.

“We are really looking forward to everything getting underway on Friday – there’s just so much happening, so come and join us for as long as you can.

“But it’s important to say that none of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors and supporters. Their backing means we can stage a hugely popular event enjoyed by many thousands of people and which, in turn, generates millions of pounds a year for the local economy – something that’s sorely needed right now.”

Well-kent faces

Other well-kent faces include TV antiques expert James Braxton, Classic FM presenter John Suchet, actor and comedian Robin Ince and performance poet Len Pennie.

The festival is working in partnership with Bladnoch Distillery – which will host a unique evening of storytelling called Bold Spirit: Tales of Galloway as well as welcoming Natalie Jayne Clark to talk about her cosy crime novel The Malt Whisky Murders.

The Bookshop Band will add music to the mix with an event dedicated to banned books, and Beth Porter (one half of the band) will also be endeavouring to create a choir in a day. Volunteers will gather in the morning and be performing by the evening.

Younger readers have lots to enjoy with the festival’s young adults programme and the Big Wig children’s events.

Outdoor events

Lots of the activities will be taking place outdoors, including:

• Wigtown Wild Swim – join The Art of Wild Swimming author Vicky Allan for bracing plunge at Rigg Bay in Garlieston.
• Immersed: Stories from the Saltmarsh – Award-winning nature writer Stephen Rutt’s in-situ readings and stories of the saltmarsh.
• Wigtown Women’s Walk – Kriss Nichol leads a guided walk with stories about remarkable women of the past.
• Wild Words: Wee Wings – Renita Boyle shares poems and tales of nature in the Wigtown Bird Hide.
• Overnight Live – Author Dan Richards and freelance ranger Elizabeth Tindal bring to life his book about what happens in the Wigtown countryside after dark – a night walk with music and readings.