Alex Salmond, First Minister and son of Linlithgow, will open this year's festival.

A short opening ceremony will take place in the Masonic Halls at 6.15 pm on Friday 2nd November.
The ceremony will be free and open to the public.

Friday 2nd November

• 6:15pm - Opening ceremony with First Minister Alex Salmond MSP. (Free event)
  
  
• 7:30pm - AL Kennedy reads from her new novel Day.

Saturday 3rd November

• 11 am to 5:30pm - Come along and surprise yourself! Whether you’re a complete novice at poetry or an experienced writer, you’ll find something fresh at “The Linlithgow Renga”. Drop in at any point over the day and join festival-goers in writing a collaborative poem of 20 short verses under the expert guidance of poet and seasoned renga master, Ken Cockburn. Entry by donation.
  
  
• 12 noon - Douglas Watt reading from The Price of Scotland: Darien, Union and the Wealth of Nations, which overthrows the long-held idea that the Darien venture of 1695 was undermined by the English government.
  
  
• 2pm - Christopher Rush on his autobiography Hellfire and Herring, which tells of growing up in the East Neuk village of St Monans, where the two most potent influences were religion and fishing. "few writers can paint so vivid a picture with so few words ... the writing is exquisite" (Sue Magee)
  
  
• 3:30pm - Trevor Royle speaking on Flowers of the Forest: Scotland and the Great War. "Trevor Royle's illuminating book is ... much more than a military history. his unique perspective is the social effect of the war" (Despatches Magazine)
  
  
• 6:30pm - Reading of the Linlithgow Renga.
  
  
• 7pm - Denise Mina reading from her new novel in the Paddy Meehan series, The Last Breath. Denise is an award-winning and prolific crime writer, graphic novelist, contributor to DC comics and playwright. According to one biography, "in between she raises children, mooches about eating toast and listens to thrash metal".
  
  
• 8:30pm - Alan Spence reading from his latest novel The Pure Land - a modern epic, at once a rattling good adventure, a heart-wrenching love story and a journey of the spirit.

Sunday 4th November

This is a day of celebration of our language and culture

• 11am - Dr Chris Robinson takes an honest but optimistic look at West Lothian Scots. The Scots language in West Lothian has seen changes in recent years, reflecting social shifts in the area. It may have been undervalued by linguistic studies, and even by its own speakers, but our linguistic heritage is part of our culture. How is the language changing and will Scots survive?
  
  
• 2pm - William Wallace and Scottish Culture. What do we know about William Wallace and what does his story—fact and myth—have to say to Scotland in the 21st century? Broadcaster and historian Louise Yeoman, writer and dramatist John Fowler and poet Andrew Philip have each interpreted the story. Join them for discussion of this fascinating figure, with readings from historical sources and their own writing.
  
  
• 3:30pm A family event to mark the publication of Doh Ray Me when Ah Wis Wee - Scots Children's Songs and Rhymes - researched and selected by Ewan McVicar. Come along and have your memories stirred while joining in.

All events take place in the centre of Linlithgow at The Masonic Hall.

The Hall is located just off The Cross on the High Street and is easily accessible from the station. Car parking is available at the Vennel nearby.

Tickets are £6 per event.
The "Festival Saturday" special ticket entitles you to attend all 5 Saturday events for £24.

Entry to the renga is by donation.

Tickets are available:

• on the door
• from The Line Gallery (238 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7ES) 01506 670 268 - cash or cheque only
• by post from 91 Avontoun Park, Linlithgow, EH49 6QQ, 01506 845 908 (evenings only)

For further information please contact:
admin@linlithgowbookfestival.org