THE home of Sir Walter Scott gets set for the second Abbotsford Literary Sessions in association with Baillie Gifford, due to take place during Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1.

Anticipation mounts for the weekend extravaganza of live events at the home of Sir Walter Scott featuring top writers and broadcasters.

Opening night audiences will hear BBC’s Grand Tours presenter Paul Murton discussing his travels in Orkney and Shetland and the fascinating legacy of the Vikings in Scotland’s Northern Isles, and James Naughtie’s razor-sharp insights and analysis on the current political turmoil in the run-up to the general election.

On Saturday, historian and broadcaster Vanessa Collingridge charts the legacy of Captain James Cook’s epic voyages of discovery 250 years since he first explored the Pacific Ocean; author Mairi Kidd shares stories of the extraordinary women from Scotland’s history who feature in her stunning treasury Warriors and Witches and Damn Rebel Bitches, whilst TV’s ‘Shetland’ and ‘Vera’ creator, and one of today’s most successful writers of crime fiction, Ann Cleeves, introduces her eagerly awaited new novel.

Sunday’s events are all about inspiring journeys as author Peter Fiennes travels from Land’s End to Loch Ness in the company of Enid Blyton, Charles Dickens and a host of other great writers; top cookery writer Sue Lawrence shares a mouth-watering collection of recipes gathered from her tours around Scotland’s islands, and award winning writer and historian Alistair Moffat discusses a very personal pilgrimage as he walks from Old Melrose to Lindisfarne in the shadow of St Cuthbert to discover more about our greatest native saint.

Giles Ingram, Chief Executive, The Abbotsford Trust, said: “With the second instalment of the Abbotsford Literary Sessions, the house comes alive and remembers its history.

“In the early 19th century Walter Scott was not only the most famous Scotsman in the world, he was also the best-known author, the inventor of historical fiction and the first bestselling writer.

“When Ann Cleeves, Peter Fiennes, Sue Lawrence, Vanessa Collingridge, Paul Murton, James Naughtie, Mairi Kidd and Alistair Moffat come to Abbotsford to talk about their new books, they bring words back to the house that was built on them.”

The 2019 Abbotsford Literary Sessions:

Friday, November 29 –

6pm - Paul Murton

8pm - James Naughtie

Saturday, November 30 –

3pm - Vanessa Collingridge: Captain Cook, Fake News and the Making of an 18th Century Hero

5pm - Mairi Kidd: Warriors & Witches & Damn Rebel Bitches

7pm - Ann Cleeves

Sunday, November 1 –

1pm - Peter Fiennes: Footnotes: A Journey Round Britain in the Company of Great Writers

3pm - Sue Lawrence

5pm - Alistair Moffat: To the Island of Tides: A Journey to Lindisfarne

Michelle McLeod, Sponsorship Manager at Baillie Gifford said: “It’s great to see these live literary events back at the home of one of Scotland’s greatest literary treasures.

“Popularity has already seen the Abbotsford Literary Sessions grow from just four events last year to eight events this year. With the calibre of writers and variety of the events taking place, we look forward to another stimulating weekend of learning, entertainment and reflection.”

The historic house, chapel and gardens at Abbotsford are still open on the Friday and Saturday, and a selection of pre and post event food and drink, all made using locally sourced ingredients, will be available at the venue throughout the weekend.

Tickets, priced at £10, for this year’s Abbotsford Literary Sessions are available from www.litsessions.com