Welcome! “where The 2015 Winter Words programme contains a wide-ranging, imaginative and enticing line-up of great minds and great writers 's - the perfect way to celebrate the final days of Winter (and look forward to the first signs of Spring) amidst the spectacular landscape of Highland Perthshire! Literary

As always, a number of themes weave their way through this year's celebration of the written and the spoken word: the eagle-eyed year gets will quickly discover strands concerned with Scottish history and culture, wild spaces and the natural world, the arts and media and into gear” rural life running throughout the programme of events. From Buckingham Palace to Border Ballads, elegant birds of prey The Scotsman to the Battle of Bannockburn, from the Isle of Muck to munros at midnight, and from the Cairngorms to the Commonwealth (not to mention the inaugural inclusion of the Banff Film Festivaland a manuscript assessor from Moniach Mhor), there’s a vast range of stimulating and entertaining activity to explore at this year’s Winter Words.

The unique Fearie Tales writing competition (with free Fearie Tales performances in the Foyer) returns again this year, as does the ever-present Book Fair, a 3 day Creative Writing course and the very popular Poetry Please! sessions.

Now in its eleventh year, Winter Words remains the place “where Scotland's Literary year gets into gear” (The Scotsman). So book your tickets !

Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in Scotland Number SC029243 at the below address. Scottish Charity Number SC013055 Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Creative writing courses tutored Pitlochry, PH16 5DR | Administration: 01796 484600 | Fax: 01796 484616 | Box by some of the finest authors Office: 01796 484626 | Email: boxoffice@ PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com | Website: from the UK and beyond. www.PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com

2015 Programme available now

www.moniackmhor.org.uk | [email protected] | 01463 741675

01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 01

Winter Words ad a5.indd 1 07/11/2014 16:56:51 7.00pm – 9.45pm 1.00pm–2.15pm | £23.50 Friday 13th £13.50/£12 concession Kenneth Calman 10.00am-11.00am | £7.50 Banff Mountain Film A Doctor’s Line Tickets & Book Fair Roger Hutchinson Festival 2.45pm-5.00pm | £10.00 St Kilda: A People’s History 10.00pm–11.00pm | Free Cynthia Rogerson Ways to Book! 11.30am-12.30pm | £7.50 Fearie Tales Doctor Writer Sessions Phone: 01796 484626 | Online: www.PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com Catriona Macdonald and 3.00pm- 4.00pm | £9.50 In Person: at the Theatre Box Office | Email: [email protected] Dr. Patricia Andrew 15th Kenneth Steven Scotland at War – Art and Heart Iona: The Other Island 10.00am-11.00am | £7.50 1.00pm–2.15pm | £23.50 Concessions: James Crawford 4.30pm-5.30pm | £9.50 Polly Pullar • Friends/Supporter Book Fair! Scotland’s Landscapes Bernard MacLaverty From 10.00am - 6.00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday The Isle of Muck Telling Stories Cardholders | Groups (10+) : 11.30am-12.30pm | £7.50 The Winter Words bookstall is organised by Yeadon’s Booksellers, 3.00pm-4.00pm | £8.50 10% off tickets Jim Crumley 7.30pm-9.00pm | £14.50 who will be selling signed books by guest authors throughout James Robertson The Eagle’s Way Penny Junor • Disabled Badge Holders: 20% the Festival. Yeadons have two shops in Elgin and Banchory, both and Jill Calder Behind the Scenes at Buckingham off tickets of which are beautifully decorated and stocked with carefully Robert the Bruce: King of Scots 1.00pm-2.15pm | £23.50 Palace chosen, eclectic selections of books. Well worth a visit (or three!), Keith Williams & • Students | U18s | Registered 4.30pm-5.30pm | £8.50 9.30pm–10.30pm | Free Event their staff are all professional booksellers, dedicated, enthusiastic Caroline Brown Unemployed : 50% off tickets Robyn Young Fearie Tales and knowledgeable, who will also be around throughout the day War Poems of Joseph Lee Only Friends/Supporter Cardholders Rebels and Kings concessions apply to Literary Lunches. to help and advise. Order (or reserve) a book today! 3.00pm-4.00pm | £9.50 7.00pm-8.15pm | £10.00 Saturday 21st All ticket prices and concessions are You can now order or reserve any book by a Winter Words author Ann Cleeves subject to availability. Allan Little Bringing Shetland to the Screen 10.00am–11.00am | £5.00 in advance of their event. Simply go to www.yeadons.co.uk and Bringing Home The News complete an order/reservation form. You can also make 4.30pm-5.30pm | £9.50 New Writing Scotland 8.45pm–9.45pm | Free a dedication! Alan McCredie 11.30am-12.30pm | £7.50 Fearie Tales A Portrait of a Nation Books will be charged at full retail price plus postage and packing Helen & William Bynum 7.00pm-8.30pm | £12.50 Remarkable Plants That Shape Our (10% of retail price UK) and you won’t be charged until dispatch. Saturday 14th Lives You can also save on postage by picking up your book at our Andrew Greig & Bookstall which is open throughout the Festival. 10.00am-11.00am | £7.50 Rachel Newton 1.00pm-2.15pm | £23.50 Border Ballads Theresa Talbot Patrick Baker Life in the Garden Secrets of the Cairngorms TUES 17TH – THUR 19TH 1.15pm-2.00pm | Free 11.30am-12.30pm | £7.50 WRITING COURSE Poetry Please Pitlochry Station Bookshop Judy Fairbairns 10.30am – 4.30pm | £125 The unique Pitlochry Station Bookshop will be running a second Island Wife 3.00pm–4.00pm | £9.50 hand and new bookstall in the theatre foyer throughout the Write On! 1.00pm–2.15pm | £23.50 3 Day Writing Course Christopher Brookmyre Festival. The Station Bookshop sells a wide range of donated Dead Girl Walking Linda Cracknell books to raise money for many different charities. Bestsellers, Doubling Back Friday 20th 4.30pm-5.30pm | £10.00 children’s classics and interesting antiquary gems are waiting to 1.15pm to 2.00pm | Free 10.00am–11.00am | £7.50 Kirsty Wark be enjoyed – and not just by train travellers! The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle Love Poetry Please Ruary Mackenzie Dodds Dragonfly Diaries 7.30pm-9.00pm | £14.50 3.00pm-4.00pm | £10.00 Transaction Fees apply to advertised ticket prices. If paying by card, the Transaction Fee is 25p for 11.30am-12.30pm | £7.50 James Naughtie Mark Beaumont The Madness of July Debit Cards and £1.50 for Credit Cards. If booking via our website, the Transaction Fee is £1.50. There is The Adventurer Returns Iain Macwhirter no Transaction Fee for paying with cash at the Box Office. Disunited Kingdom 9.30pm-10.30pm | Free 4.30pm-5.30pm | £7.50 Fearie Tales Please note: Event and ticketing information is correct at time of going to print. Changes in the Alan Rowan 11.15am–12.45pm | £12.50 programme of events may alter, so please do check online or at the Box Office. We reserve the right to Adventures of a Midnight Cynthia Rogerson make changes to the programme, ticket prices and seating plans. Mountaineer Workshop: The Art of Short Story Writing

02 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 03 Local author Polly is a brilliant In addition to the big set pieces Friday 13th story teller and speaker, she from the Bruce story, not least returns to Winter Words with of course, the bloody Battle 10.00am-11.00am this new biography, ready to of Bannockburn, James will be captivate her audience! talking about his exciting re- Roger telling of Bruce and the spider, See page 24 for full lunch the murder of Red Comyn and Hutchinson menu details. St Kilda: Bruce’s seizing of the Scottish throne. A People’s History 3.00pm-4.00pm £7.50 James, whose novels include And The Land Lay Still, The Award- James Testament of Gideon Mack winning Robertson (long-listed for the Man Booker journalist prize, 2006) and his most recent and author, & Jill Calder work, The Professor of Truth Roger Roger Hutchinson Robert the Bruce: (2013) makes a welcome return Hutchinson, King of Scots to Winter Words, joined by Jill kicks off Catriona will be joined by £8.50 Calder, who has been working Winter 11.30am-12.30pm 1.00pm–2.15pm Dr. Patricia Andrew, to discuss as an illustrator since 1993. She Words in James Robertson, of her latest book, A Chasm in LITERARY LUNCH is also a calligrapher, digital style with a fascinating talk Catriona Scotland’s most significant Time: Scottish War Art and artist and lecturer with a love about his latest book, The modern writers, gives a fresh Artists in the 20th Century. Polly Pullar of drawing, ideas, colour, ink, People of St Kilda. Roger has Macdonald and vital perspective to the The first collection of its kind, The Isle of Muck typography, book-binding dug deep in to the archives most dramatic historical tales & Dr. Patricia it features over 200 stunning includes a 2 course and sketchbooks. The duo will and his 40 years of Hebridean £23.50 | of one of Scotland’s great works of art – many of which lunch and a glass of wine discuss the structure of the knowledge to paint a picture of Andrew heroes. Robert The Bruce: King have never been reproduced book, development process and the population of the St Kildans Scotland at War – A Drop in the Ocean is Polly of Scots is a visually stunning before. the complicated interaction from the Stone Age to the 20th latest biography book, with James’ words Art and Heart Pullar’s between words and images – century. in which she reveals the accompanied by the bold £7.50 As well as looking at First World and the challenge of how the fascinating life of Lawrence and colourful illustrations of St Kilda is, for many, a place of War artwork, Patricia’s research book sits alongside academic Winter Words brings together MacEwen - the Laird of Muck - Jill Calder, this book expertly wonder and mystery, soaring also examines the conflicts in books and the reinforcing of two authors and two books for whose family have owned the captures the atmosphere of out the Ocean like Atlantis. This South as well as fighting traditional views of the past. this discussion about Scotland, island since 1896. the murky world of the 14th talk will bring the island to life, ongoing today; from artists war, art and how the people on the front line to those at century. not just through its wildlife and A wonderfully benevolent left behind in World War One home. This is sure to be a scenery, but through tales of and eccentric character, his coped with the difficulties of poignant and unmissable talk the people who lived there – passion and love for the island . for anyone interested in history proud, self-sufficient people and its continuing success, has or photography and art. – until the 1930s when the Catriona Macdonald, a Senior always been of the utmost remaining 100 inhabitants were Lecturer in history at the importance. evacuated. University of Glasgow as well as an acclaimed author and The Lairds diaries are filled with This is a chance to hear the speaker, will expertly examine fascinating, extraordinary tales mysteries of this beautiful conscientious objection, and priceless observations, place unravelled by a speaker voluntary recruitment, press into which Polly delves deep with masses of history and coverage, gender and the war to unveil a uniquely human stories to share. as well as the Highlands in this story, punctuated with liberal fascinating session. amounts of humour and heart-rending tragedy, always dominated by the vagaries of the sea. James Robertson 04 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com ©Marianne Mitchelson 07 Friday 13th 4.30pm-5.30pm Robyn Young Rebels and Kings £8.50 Writing Robert has achieved his great ambition to be crowned King of Competition Scotland, but in so doing has provoked the wrath of Edward 2015 of England. Raising the feared dragon banner, the English king marches north, determined to recapture the kingdom. Robert This unique competition drives towards the place where he will meet Edward II and decide receives more and more the future of Scotland, in an epic confrontation near the village of submissions every year, both Bannockburn. . . from would be authors and more established writers. The Best-selling historical novelist, Robyn Young, brings an entirely format is simple. You write a different perspective to the Bannockburn story with her latest Fearie Tale and send it to us. book , the third in her recent trilogy about the Kingdom Insurrection We then choose three or four rise of the mighty Robert the Bruce. entries to be read aloud in In this event, Robyn will discuss where fact and fiction meet, the cosy atmosphere of the 7.00pm-8.15pm 8.45pm–9.45pm examining the process of taking an important story and Theatre Foyer on Friday and Allan Little reimagining it for a novel. Saturday evenings throughout Fearie Tales Winter Words. Bringing Home The News Free Event in Foyer £10.00 Every Fearie Tale must be an It’s time to check that there’s entirely new story, written Winter Words is delighted to welcome BBC Special Correspondent no one in your shadow as we especially for Winter Words and Allan Little to the festival. Allan is a compelling and enthralling settle down for a spook-tacular not previously published in any speaker who joins us to share some of his stories reporting from evening of the supernatural form. the front line. and macabre with the first in a series of Fearie Tales. Feast Each entry must be have Allan has reported from some of the most war-torn and devastated your ears on a selection of tales a minimum of 2,250 and a countries on the planet – from Baghdad and the first Gulf War, to penned especially for Winter maximum of 3,250 words. , Yugoslavia and Rwanda. He has remarked that his job has been like having a front row seat in the theatre of history. Words and brought to life by Entries must be received at familiar faces from the Pitlochry Festival Theatre by Allan will reflect on the business of bringing back the news from PFT stage. 12.00 noon on Saturday 31st fast moving and unpredictable places. Much of his career has been Hear of bizarre encounters, January, 2015. spent bearing witness to war and political and social upheaval and it has shown the damage that war does not only physically but unwelcome apparitions and Full competition mentally. He has often reported on UK servicemen and women in listen out for half-heard details are available at action both as peace-keepers and war-fighters, and has come to footsteps on the mezzanine PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com believe that it is vital that there should be the support for those floor. . . these truly terrifying who need it in what can be a very difficult transition back to peace stories of the paranormal will time and ordinary life. have you on the edge of your seat; beware of those shadows Join Allan Little to hear some fascinating tales from across the outside your window in the globe – he has reported from sixty countries over the last thirty dead of night . . . years – take advantage of this rare chance to ask questions of this legendary newsman.

06 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com Join us for Supper in the Festival Restaurant & Foyer Bar from 5.30pm. 07 children, learns how to run 1.00pm–2.15pm 1.15pm to 2.00pm his broadcasting role with Saturday 14th a rocky hill farm, a hotel, a the BBC. recording studio and the first LITERARY LUNCH Love Poetry Mark shot to fame during an whale watching business in 18,000 mile round-the-world the UK - all while inventively Linda Please bike race, where he smashed making fraying ends meet. Free Event in Foyer Cracknell the previous World Record When her children start to Doubling Back Shall I compare thee to a by a staggering 82 days. He leave home, things fall apart £23.50 | includes a 2 course Summer’s day . . . followed this with a 13,000 mile and there is sadness and joy in lunch and a glass of wine ride down the length of the how she weaves things back Celebrate St. Valentine’s Day Rockies and Andes, climbing together. with a selection of love poems at a free event in the foyer. If the highest mountains in Judy tells her story in a clear you would like to hear your Alaska and Argentina. Off the and unique voice, in turns bike, he has rowed through the 10.00am-11.00am favourite poem read aloud, funny, unforgettable and drop your request in to the Box high Arctic and survived after intensely moving, this is a Office before lunchtime on the capsizing in the Atlantic. Patrick Baker book of endless horizons and Doubling Back is a fascinating day, then settle down with a Passionate about sharing his Secrets of the Patrick seeks out the unlikeliest a breath of fresh air. Judy’s life account of walking in the cup of something hot, a slice of and others stories, Mark has Cairngorms and most interesting of story is interesting enough footsteps of others. From the cake and enjoy! filmed a series of successful features in places far off the in itself but she will also £7.50 Highlands of Scotland to the BBC documentaries. He’s beaten track and explores the talk about getting the book Secrets of the Cairngorms is Swiss Alps and Kenya, author also a dedicated charity cultural and human impact published and how she has 3.00pm-4.00pm a series of journeys exploring and dramatist Linda Cracknell fundraiser ever since his first on this stunning landscape taken to blogging and the joys the barely known human and describes her series of moving cycle across Scotland at the and reflects on the history of of social media to promote it! Mark natural stories of the Cairngorm journeys in the footsteps age of 12 which raised £3,000 mountaineering. Come and Mountains, looking at a unique of others. Beaumont and more recently by raising hear Patrick recall some of his ‘An unflinching and hugely landscape - the last British The Adventurer over £100,000 running and most amazing experiences entertaining story of family Each walk is about the wilderness, with new eyes. swimming across Scotland. on the Cairngorms in this travails and triumphs’ reaffirming of memories, Returns Patrick Baker talks about his captivating talk. Kirsty Wark beliefs and emotions, and £10.00 This will be a fascinating latest book, which combines especially of the connection Sportsman, TV presenter, afternoon in the company of history with travelogue to 11.30am-12.30pm that one can have with the past record breaking round-the- an extraordinary adventurer. create a vivid account of through particular places. This world cyclist and ultra- the Cairngorm Mountains. Judy book celebrates life, family, endurance adventurer, we There have been rare human friendship and walking through welcome Mark Beaumont to incursions into the plateau, Fairbairns landscapes richly textured with Winter Words to talk about his and Patrick tracks them down Island Wife stories. incredible life. (literally!). He traces elusive £7.50 Doubling Back is lyrical wildlife and relives ghostly Most recently, Mark travelled In Island Wife we discover and poignant; Linda leads sightings on the summit of around the Commonwealth, the story of Judy us through its stunning Ben Macdui. He searches for filming and meeting hundreds Fairbairns, who, aged descriptions of the landscapes a long-forgotten, notoriously of athletes as they prepared 19, met her ‘Wild Pioneer’. in this fascinating event. difficult to find, El Alamein for the Glasgow 2014 Games; And so began a climbing refuge that’s achieved ‘She writes as a painter in covering 118,000 miles, 140 marriage of almost mythic status, ancient oils might paint, using a flights and 68 nations and forty years, and gem mines, and recalls the palette rich in both colour territories. Mark was also an unexpected haunting discovery of skeletal and texture’ a Chieftain of the Athletes life on a remote aircraft remains and hunts for a Village alongside Sir Chris Hoy, Hebridean island. James Robertson mysterious nineteenth-century Katherine Granger and Gavin See page 24 for full lunch aristocratic settlement. Along the way Hastings, as well as continuing menu details. she bears five 08 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 09 Saturday 14th John Muir Trust’s Wild Space The John Muir Trust’s Wild Space visitor centre is located in the 4.30pm-5.30pm heart of Pitlochry. It showcases Scotland’s fantastic wild places and the role of conservation in keeping them wild. During Winter Alan Rowan Words, there are three readings/events at the Wild Space visitor Adventures centre: of a Midnight Gareth Watson, Saturday 14th February, 2.30pm Mountaineer Jim Crumley, Sunday 15th February, 2.30pm £7.50 Ruary Mackenzie-Dodds, Friday 20th February, 2.00pm When Alan Price: £5.00 – available from PFT’s Box Office. Rowan Discover Wild Space today! finished his Tower House, Station Road, Pitlochry PH16 5AN shifts as a sub-editor at midnight, he knew he was too jacked up on deadline adrenaline to attempt sleep. At the same time, he was starting to worry if he would ever complete his ambition to reach the summit of every The Moor Munro in Scotland. One night, 5th February to 8th March, 2015 at Wild Space he hit upon the solution. He An exhibition of photographs by Gareth Watson, reflecting on the would begin his ascents in the landscape of the Isle of Lewis, in Wild Space. middle of the night, see the sun 7.00pm-9.45pm 10.00pm–11.00pm rise above the clouds and then “In 2010, I had a chance encounter with Robert Macfarlane, who was come down the mountain just on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, where I live, researching Banff Mountain Film Festival Fearie Tales as everyone else was going up. his book The Old Ways. This led to a collaboration in words and World Tour Free Event in Foyer pictures prompted by the great Barvas Moor, the Mointeach He’s now close to finishing his £13.50/£12 concession Join us, if you dare, for another Riabhach (Mointiuch Riuvuvch) or the Brindled Moor, an area of over third time round all the munros! installment of spine-tingling 100 square miles of peat bog in the north of the island. The world's most prestigious mountain film festival is visiting Join us for this fascinating Winter Words for the first time with a brand new selection of supernatural Fearie Tales. illustrated talk about his Although the focus of this exhibition (and limited edition book) is extraordinary short films from the world's leading adventure film There’s a chill in the air, and a moonlight adventures the Isle of Lewis, the work as a whole – and we prefer to think of makers. Exhilarating and thought provoking, this is a must-see for bump in the night as you enter captured in his new book, this exhibition as a single work of art - is a reflection on the nature anyone with a spirit of adventure! the theatre after dark. Cosy up Moonwalker. Alan will discuss of wilderness wherever it may be found. with a warm dram and enjoy Be transported through the big screen to the world's last great wild his transformation from stories not-for-the-faint- This event, and thanks are due to the John Muir Trust for enabling it places, follow the expeditions of some of today's most incredible desk jockey to midnight hearted. to happen, explores this reflection. The words are largely Robert's, adventurers, see amazing footage of adrenaline-packed action mountaineer, his experiences and his themes may be encountered at greater length in his book sports and be inspired by thought-provoking pieces shot from the meeting dodgy car salesmen, The Old Ways. I am also drawing heavily on his essay The Counter- far flung corners of the globe. charging deer, superstitious Desecration Phrasebook, which can be found in 'Towards Re- Germans and crooked enchantment: Place and its Meanings, edited by Gareth Davis and Rating 12A confectioners! Di Robson.“ Join us beforehand for Supper from 5.30pm in the Festival Gareth Watson will be reading and discussing his work at Wild Restaurant. There’s a special menu with plenty of hearty Space on Saturday 14th February, 2.30pm. wholesome dishes to choose from.

10 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 11 1.00pm-2.15pm there are unexpected mists. Sunday 15th The following day, Eleanor's LITERARY LUNCH friend Polly receives an email. 10.00am-11.00am It appears to be a suicide note, Keith Williams saying she'll never be found James & Caroline alive. And then Eleanor's body is discovered, lying in a small Crawford Brown loch close to the cliff edge. . . Scotland’s War Poems of Thin Air is the next book in Ann Landscapes Joseph Lee Cleeves' Shetland series - which £7.50 £23.50 | includes a 2 course is now a major BBC One Over the past 10,000 years, lunch and a glass of wine starring Douglas Henshall as every inch of Scotland - detective Jimmy Perez. Join The war poetry of Wilfrid whether remote hilltop, fertile Ann as she discusses this Owen and Siegfried Sassoon Keith is Senior Lecturer in floodplain, or storm-lashed striking new novel and talks James Crawford is well known and much English and Associate Dean for coastline - has been shaped, about seeing her work adapted loved but there was another Postgraduate Studies and Chair changed and moulded by its of the Scottish Word and Image for the small screen. from Scotland's Landscapes question – what now for these voice – a Dundee writer – that people. No part of the land Group. (published by RCAHMS) and magnificent birds? was just as well known in his is without its human story. will tell the enduring story of time – Joseph Lee, whose See page 24 for full lunch From Orkney's immaculately This is an essential event this interaction between man work drew critical acclaim menu details. preserved Neolithic villages for wildlife lovers and eco- and his environment. These from as far as America. Joseph to Highland glens stripped enthusiasts, author Jim is a are Scotland's landscapes was an accomplished artist of nineteenth century nature writer with almost 20 as you have never seen or and journalist at the Dundee 3.00pm-4.00pm settlements, from a Skye books to his name, mostly on understood them before, and Advertiser, to which he already peninsula converted to an the landscape and wildlife of Ann Cleeves the book presents the history contributed his poetry before ingenious Viking shipyard, to a Scotland. He is also a columnist Bringing Shetland to of Scotland from a unique and joining the Black Watch at the sheer Hebridean clifftop used and presenter of radio fascinating perspective. age of 40, sending his poems the Screen as the site of a spectacular programmes. back from the Front. £9.50 lighthouse, Scotland's history Jim Crumley will also appear at is written into its landscapes in 11.30am-12.30pm Today his work has almost been A group of old university Wild Space at 2.30pm. See page vivid detail. forgotten, until now, when a friends leave the bright 10 for more details. Jim Crumley team from the University of lights of London and travel James Crawford will give The Eagle’s Way Dundee has published a new to Unst, Shetland's most this illustrated talk featuring collection of his poetry to northerly island, to celebrate a selection of photographs £7.50 reintroduce his name to public the marriage of one of their In The Eagle’s Way, recently consciousness. Keith Williams friends to a Shetlander. short-listed for the Saltire and Caroline Brown will bring to But late on the night Society Literary Awards, life the work of this forgotten of the wedding Jim Crumley draws on his voice in a fascinating and richly party, one of years of observing these illustrated talk. them, Eleanor, spectacular birds to paint disappears - an intimate portrait of their Caroline is Deputy Archivist at apparently into lives, examining how they the University of Dundee where thin air. It's mid- interact with each other she is responsible for much of Summer, a time and the Scottish landscape. the day-to day running of the when the sun Combining passion, beautifully archive and overseeing the never sets and descriptive prose and Jim’s 25 Archive’s outreach programme. Ann Cleeves years of experience, The Eagle’s Way explores the ultimate

12 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 13 Sunday 15th Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th February 4.30pm-5.30pm 10.30am – 4.30pm each day Alan McCredie Write On! 3 Day Writing Course A Portrait of a £125 (max 12) | including lunches and refreshments Nation This exciting three day course, with writer and teacher, Zoe £9.50 Venditozzi, is ideal for aspiring writers who'd like to develop their skills further. The course will include creating compelling and PLUS: Special Offers! “It took a complex characters, developing a coherent plot, and focusing on Sitting between the two second. One Alan McCredie 100 Weeks Of Scotland honing each writer's individual voice. weekends of Winter Words, second to participants will have the put a cross in There will be writing exercises, break-out sessions and discussions. chance to take in the best of a box. Across Participants will also look at the skill of editing and discuss how to the rest of the Festival and the country pitch their work to agents and publishers. A one-to-one tutorial attend any 5 daytime events millions will also be offered with Zoe, where the focus will be on the writer's free (excluding Literary Lunches of other work in progress. and evening Headline events) seconds have Participants will be asked to submit a one page example of their plus The Art of Short Story been used to mark a cross in a writing in advance of the course. Please email: Writing workshop for half price small box, on a piece of paper, in [email protected] on Friday 20 February. a wooden booth. Those millions of seconds, together, add up to Zoe Venditozzi is the author of Anywhere’s Better Than Here and Participants are requested to the will of a nation. The course 7.00pm-8.30pm musician, Rachel Newton on is currently working on her second novel. She obtained an M.Litt in reserve seats for their 5 free of a country will change in the clarsach and fiddle. Creative Writing from the University of Dundee and has had short daytime events at the time of stories and poems published in various magazines and books. booking this course. space of a second.” Andrew Greig In his book Fair Helen, Andrew 100 Weeks of Scotland is & Rachel shines a light on the dark days Alan McCredie’s fascinating of a lawless land and the real photography project Newton characters in a complex drama charting 100 weeks in the Border Ballads of the legend oft called the life of Scotland in the run up £12.50 Scottish Romeo & Juliet. to the 2014 Independence The wild Scots The evening will conclude Referendum. Borderlands with extracts from Andrew’s His incredible photos are of of the 16th lyrical poetic adventure Found all aspects of Scottish culture Century have at Sea - which appeared in - politics, art, social issues, spawned many theatrical form at the Traverse in . It’s an exhilarating sport, energy and anything else a dark tale, no Spectacular views combined micro-odyssey of spoken word that catches the eye. Alan has more stirring with fresh local produce poetry, with music and song documented this vibrant and than Andrew and excellent service from filling the sails! exciting time in Scotland, to Greig’s breathless, romantic our attentive staff ensures show the country, and those adventure of Fair Helen of This is a long overdue welcome dining here will always be a who live there, in a Kirkonnel Lea, one of the many back to Winter Words for special experience. positive light. dark, rousing Border Ballads Andrew with his rich catalogue which will be celebrated at this The Festival Restaurant and Don’t miss this exciting of Scottish fiction and memoir, atmospheric evening of music, Café Bar is open seven days illustrated talk with Alan, as he including Romanno Bridge and verse and prose. Andrew’s a week and provides tasty, examines the varied aspects of At the Loch of the Green Corrie. readings will be complemented fresh and wholesome food a modern nation and paints a by the wonderful Scots Trad A fantastic evening of music, with daily specials, all at poignant picture of Scotland. words and song. reasonable prices. 14 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 15 11.30am-12.30pm narrative within the constraints developing role of doctors in session with acclaimed author Friday 20th of a few pages. society and their relationship and manuscript assessor, with their patients. Cynthia Rogerson of Moniack Iain This workshop is led by Cynthia 10.00am–11.00am Mhor, Scotland’s Creative Rogerson, Programme Director ‘This is a quite delightful book Macwhirter Writing Centre. With Cynthia’s Ruary of Scotland’s Writing Centre at that brings together medicine Disunited Kingdom literary medicine and individual Moniack Mhor and prizewinning and literature in a fascinating prescriptions, your writing Mackenzie £7.50 author. She won the V.S. exploration of Scotland’s past. will become as rejuvenated Pritchett Prize in 2007, and It is, quite simply, a triumph.’ Dodds Iain Macwhirter is one of as a bright eyed, bushy-tailed her work was short-listed for Alexander McCall Smith Dragonfly Diaries Scotland’s most prolific and squirrel! Best Scottish Novel 2011, and £7.50 influential journalists - a See page 24 for full lunch menu serialised on Women’s Hour. political commentator for The details. Regular contributor to BBC Herald and Sunday Herald and shows such as Countryfile, a prominent broadcaster for 1.00pm–2.15pm Springwatch and Nature over 20 years, having presented Detectives, Ruary Mackenzie LITERARY LUNCH Ruary Mackenzie Dodds BBC political programmes in Dodds comes to Winter Words Westminster and Scotland. to read from and discuss his Kenneth fascinating descriptions of the book, Dragonfly Diaries. He joins us, now in post- lives of dragonflies, with a diary referendum Scotland, to Calman Britain is home to some forty chronicling the ups and downs discuss the way the debate A Doctor’s Line species of dragonfly, and public of establishing Britain’s first has changed Scotland forever, £23.50 | includes a 2 course interest in their plight is high public dragonfly sanctuary. and where we go now. In this lunch and a glass of wine right now thanks to a growing Please email a maximum of 1,500 This charming event about The provocative talk, Iain argues realisation of their importance Professor Sir Kenneth Calman words plus a synopsis of up to Dragonfly Diaries is a must for that the UK will never be Cynthia Rogerson for water eco-systems. In forged his career in the medical one side of A4 to: annie.hibberd@ nature lovers and for anyone the same again, exploring this talk, Ruary shares his profession, pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com by who wants to be inspired by Scotland's political and cultural 2.45pm-5.00pm quirky fascination with these serving as Chief Thursday 12th February, 6.00pm. the resolve and dedication of a landscape in the immediate remarkable creatures over Medical Officer Also please bring a printed copy man on a mission to save these build up to, and aftermath of, Cynthia the 25 years he has been in Scotland and of your piece to the session. critically important insects. the referendum. photographing and working London, and Rogerson with them. Ruary combines Ruary will also appear at Wild Whether you voted yes or no, recently chaired Doctor Writer Space at 2pm. See page 10 for this event is not to be missed. a commission Sessions more details on the future of the Scottish £10.00 per 20 min session 11.15am–12.45pm constitution. Kenneth knows the relationship Is your manuscript ready to Cynthia between medic and public is see the light of day? Would you of vital importance and his love to get some to Rogerson book discovers how, through help you take the next step – Workshop: The the centuries, doctors have whether it’s just to see if you Art of Short Story developed not only knowledge are on track or how best to and experience, but also an move forward with your Writing book or even get some useful Capacity 16 | £12.50 understanding of feelings, emotions and ethical issues: advice on how to present your An inspiring workshop the Science and the Art. work to a publishing agent? for writers of any level of Whatever your circumstances, In this talk, Kenneth looks at experience who want to learn the Doctor will see you now! public health and the practice about a special approach to of medicine, from the 18th Book your 20 minute Short Story writing - finding Ian Macwhirter century to the present day; the one-to-one surgery Kenneth Calman vivid language to bring your ideas alive, developing your 18 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 19 Friday 20th 7.30pm-9.00pm 9.30pm–10.30pm 3.00pm-4.00pm Penny Junor Fearie Tales Behind the Scenes at Buckingham Palace Free Event in Foyer Kenneth £14.50 Claim your spot in the Theatre Steven For more than 30 years Penny Bar for the penultimate session Iona: The Other Junor has been writing books of eerie Fearie Tales – not about the Royal Family. for fearties! Island Beginning with Diana: Princess £9.50 Hear original, spine-tingling of Wales, and Charles: Prince stories especially written for In this session it’s time to of Wales, she then wrote the the festival and selected to be discover the hidden heart of controversial Charles and Diana: brought to life by familiar faces Iona – for centuries a place of Portrait of a Marriage before from the Pitlochry stage. spiritual pilgrimage bringing Kenneth Steven penning The Firm: The Troubled Be quick before our resident over 100,000 visitors each year Life of the House of Windsor. faceless ghoul steals your soul, to its shores. More recently she has written 4.30pm-5.30pm Each of these extraordinary Prince William: The Man Who er, we mean seat. . . Acclaimed Perthshire poet, stories – crafted with wry, Will Be King, a biography of Kenneth Steven’s life-long love Bernard self-deprecating humour and Prince William which ends with of the island is illustrated in his interspersed with elegance and his marriage to Kate Middleton. latest publication, Iona: The MacLaverty subtle wisdom – gets to the Other Island. Teaming up with Telling Stories very heart of life. Her latest book is Prince photographer Iain Sarjeant, the Harry: Brother, Soldier, Son. £9.50 A writer of great compassion, book is a beautiful and unique Published to coincide with For fans of fairytales, don’t Melding his native Irish insight and humanity, Bernard tribute to those hidden coves, Harry’s thirtieth birthday, it is the story of how the troubled forget to book tickets for sensibilities to those of his surprises us time and again remote corners and majestic teenager grew into a leader of men, a soldier, a pilot, an adventurer balletLorent’s musical adopted west-coast Scotland; with the sensitivity of his ear beaches that few visitors get and a passionate champion of those who are in danger of being adaptation of Rapunzel which Bernard MacLaverty’s tales and the accuracy of his eye. to see. destroyed or forgotten. includes scenarios especially attend to life’s big events: written by Poet Laureate Written with the help of many of the most “I have loved Iona for a love and loss, separation and Carol Ann Duffy. very long time and it holds violence, death and betrayal. important people in his life, this is the first Fri 27th & Sat 28th wonderful childhood memories. But the stories teem with authoritative biography of this most delightful, Feb, 2015. It’s a place that has continued smaller significant moments charismatic and dangerous of the Queen's to inspire me throughout my too; private epiphanies, grandsons. life and remains my spiritual chilling exchanges, intimate In addition to her Royal books, Penny has retreat” explains Kenneth. encounters. written biographies of Margaret Thatcher, John From this collection of poetry, Bernard was born in Belfast Major, and Richard Burton and has collaborated stunning photography and and lived there until 1975 when with Sir Cliff Richard and Patti Boyd on their stories of its ancient legends, he moved to Scotland. He has autobiographies. this event will reveal the true enjoyed great success as a Penny studied at St. Andrews University and we wonder of Iona to those who novelist with Cal and Lamb look forward to welcoming her back to Scotland have been many times – and both of which have been for what will be a fantastic evening. There will for those who wish they were adapted into feature films and also be a Q&A session. there now. Grace Notes being shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. He Why not begin your evening in fine style will be taking to the stage to by dining in the Festival Restaurant? Dinner commences at 6.00pm. read and discuss his recently Bernard MacLaverty published Collected Stories. Early booking is advised. Penny Junor

18 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 19 Saturday 21st 1.00pm-2.15pm LITERARY LUNCH 1.15pm-2.00pm 10.00am–11.00am Theresa Talbot Poetry Please Life in the Garden Free Event in Foyer New Writing £23.50 | includes a 2 course lunch and a glass of wine Drop a copy of your favourite poem into the Box Office before From Traffic & Travel to Lulu, Andy Scotland lunchtime on this Saturday, £5.00 Williams and Glen Campbell via along with your name and Beechgrove and BBC Comedy… Join us The Scottish Book Trust New perhaps the reasons why this for lunch with hilarious tales from one of Writers Awards discovers fresh piece of verse is special to you. Scotland’s best known radio voices. talent and provides a diverse Then grab a light snack, sit back programme of support to a Theresa Talbot is familiar to many as and enjoy as your favourite group of writers at pivotal one of the main voices behind Radio poems are read aloud by our stages in their careers. Scotland’s Traffic & Travel output and as Festival readers! Awardees are selected through the host of the BBC’s Beechgrove Potting a rigorous process that rewards Shed. Yet few people know what she poets, novelists, short-story looks like. And even fewer know how she’s authors and children's writers 11.30am-12.30pm ended up where she is. working in English, Gaelic and Scots. In her first book,This Is What I Look Like, she entertains us with a Helen & William Bynum life-story many will relate to. After trying numerous occupations Previous recipients of this Remarkable Plants That Shape Our Lives (in her case everything from bank clerk to Pepsi Challenge girl), she award, Em Strang, Lucy £7.50 ended up at the BBC and her book gives us a hilarious and often Ribchester and Martin Plants are truly remarkable: even with surprising insight to her life on (and off) the airwaves. MacInnes, will read and discuss our entire modern technological prowess, See page 24 for full lunch menu details. their work, providing an they still feed, clothe and shelter us, help introduction to some of the transport us and can both intoxicate and most affecting, exciting and cure us. Helen Bynum, a graduate of the Open April to engaging new writing being University College London and prolific created across Scotland. medical writer joins William Bynum, November 2015 a professor emeritus of the history of medicine at University College London and Explorers MD from Yale University, to expertly guide Garden us through the rich histories, significance This is a wonderful six acre and uses of over 80 key plants, revealing our relationship with woodland Garden divided into them, both utilitarian and aesthetic. areas representing different parts of the globe. Explorers Using a selection of illustrations from this extraordinarily beautiful Garden offers visitors the book (published in association with the Royal Botanic Garden, chance to learn more about Kew), the authors will demonstrate all aspects of our interaction the Scottish Plant Hunters’ with plants starting with those crops that were fundamental to adventures and see the results the development of cultures and civilizations, and those that of their efforts. Situated enliven our diet beyond the basics. They will look at plants that adjacent to Pitlochry Festival have helped to create our material world, as well as those that are Theatre, enjoy fantastic used medicinally or are revered and adored for symbolic reasons, views, exotic plants, specialist including the tulip, the rose and the lotus. features, unique architecture For anyone interested in the natural world and the extraordinary and resident wildlife! Em Strang, Lucy Ribchester & diversity of flora around us, this event will be an inspiration and www.explorersgarden.com Martin MacInnes a delight. 20 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 21 Christopher 4.30pm-5.30pm 7.30pm-9.00pm Saturday 21st Brookmyre 3.00pm–4.00pm Kirsty Wark James Naughtie The Legacy of with Stuart Kelly Christopher Elizabeth Pringle The Madness of July Brookmyre £10.00 £14.50 Dead Girl Walking Elizabeth Pringle lived all NAUGHTIE ‘A slow-burning, cerebral and gripping thriller which fuses the Radio 4 presenter, journalist and her long life on Arran, but JAMES 'A slow-burning, cerebral £9.50 ‘Secrets and regrets, ambition and venality. entwined professions of politics and espionage.’ HERALD I have seldom come across a novel so redolent of le Carré.’ acclaimed author, James Naughtie did anyone really knowCHARLES CUMMING her? and gripping thriller which A welcome return to Winter It is a sweltering July in the mid-1970s, and for Will Flemyng, makes a welcome return following his In her will,foreign she office minister,leaves the temperature isher rising with each passing fuses the entwined Words for award-winning hour. A mysterious death has brought on a political crisis that will draw him into a familiar world of danger and deceit. JAMES previous sell-out appearance at Winter professions of politics and beloved house, Holmlea, ‘Echoes of John For Flemyng has a past. He was trained as a spy in the Cold War Buchan and thriller writer, Christopher and now he has to go back, to the dark places where London and John le Carré.’ Words. espionage' to a strangerWashington do their most secret- a business. young In the course of one long SUNDAY TIMES Brookmyre who will be talking weekend he has to question all his loyalties – to his friends, his rivals and his two brothers. Madness NAUGHTIE mother she'd seen pushing Although he has published a number The Herald about his brand new Jack ‘Smoke-screen writing sustains the tension... The The Madness of July a pram downthe reader neverthe stops wondering road who, what over and why ... a bit like solving a cryptic crossword. A real delight.’ ‘Echoes of John Buchan and ‘Addictive.’ of non-fiction books, James will be Parlabane novel, Dead Girl INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY thirty years ago. It now falls John le Carré.’ SUNDAY TIMES INDEPENDENT 'Fast-paced. . . Full of ‘Good writing, vivid scene-setting and knowledgeable joining us to discuss his first foray into Walking, published in January descriptions from an insider at ease in the corridors of power.’ LITERARY REVIEW intriguing insights, from to Martha, once the baby of fiction writing withThe Madness of 2015. ‘Addictive. The reader has to piece together July a drip-feed of clues.’ INDEPENDENT a man with 30 years' in that pram, to answer the July, a sophisticated spy thriller, set Life is dangerous when you question: why? experience of the corridors £7.99 Fiction Thriller in the endgame of the Cold War, in ‘Addictive.’ of power' have everything to lose. INDEPENDENT which James uses all of his experience everything: career, Kirsty Wark’s debut novel, The Famous, beautiful and www.headofzeus.com reporting on World affairs to great The Daily Mail marriage, self-respect. Legacy ofCover Elizabethimages © Ghost Design, Tim_Booth/Shutterstock Pringle, is talented, Heike Gunn has the dramatic effect. A call from an old friend offers a story of the richness behind world at her feet. Then, one a chance of redemption – but so-called ordinary lives, and the day, she simply vanishes. Jack James has enjoyed considerable critical acclaim for The Madness of only if he can find out what secrets and threads that hold Parlabane, however, has lost July, and this is sure to be a lively conversation with reviewer and happened to Heike . . . women together. critic, Stuart Kelly, Literary Editor of Scotland on Sunday, in the chair. There will be a Q&A session in the second half of the evening Brookmyre’s writing has been Born in Dumfries, Kirsty studied so make sure you don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet and adapted for TV and he has history at the University of hear from a well-known face (and voice) from the media world. also won the Critics First Blood Edinburgh. She joined the BBC Award, the Crime Writer’s in 1976 as a graduate researcher With spectacular views combined with fresh, local produce Macallan Short Story Dagger as for BBC Radio Scotland, and and excellent service, why not begin your evening with a well as the Wodehouse Prize for has become a much loved pre-theatre meal in the Festival Restaurant. Comic Fiction. and trusted voice in political Booking in advance is advised. Dinner commences 6pm. broadcasting since. ‘Christopher is, hands down, Kirsty will be reading from and one of the funniest, discussing her novel in this savviest crime writers captivating talk. around... without shying away from the darker ‘affecting and tender. . . elements of crime curl up for this big-hearted 9.30pm–10.30pm thrillers: evil, violence romantic debut by the and plenty of gore – Newsnight presenter. . . ’ Fearie Tales Brookmyre’s work The Times Free Event in Foyer shimmers with It’s our final instalment ofFearie Tales; gather round a sense of ‘fresh and beguiling. . . Wark with family and friends to hear tales of shape-shifting unfettered fun’ deftly and delicately plaits the intricate tales of three demons and eerily desolate moors. . . you might be Independent on Sunday Kirsty Wark women’ glad of the company on the way home! The Independent 24 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 23 Pendon Writers’ Circle is having collective writers’ block, but an unexpected Literary Lunch Menus interruption unleashes their imaginations - with hilarious and surprising results! Tasty 2 course lunches served with a glass of wine or soft drink improbable

Friday 13th Saturday 14th Sunday 15th Friday 20th Saturday 21st fiction Polly Pullar Linda Keith Kenneth Theresa by Alan Ayckbourn The Isle of Muck Cracknell Williams Calman Talbot Doubling Back & Caroline A Doctor’s Line Life in the Garden New to PFT? Brown Enjoy a First Time Rate (£15 + transaction fee) to see War Poems of a performance of Improbable Fiction this Summer! Joseph Lee

Pick up a brochure or go online for full information • Offer expires 31st March. Starters

Peppered Cold Smoked Creamy White Crab Meat Pork and Pastrami Salmon Platter Mushroom Risotto on baby leaves Pistachio Terrine with rocket with baby capers with truffle oil with a mango with spiced leaves, Parmesan and a honey, and Parmesan dressing beetroot chutney shavings and mustard and dill shavings drizzled with a dressing balsamic dressing.

Main

Chargrilled Beef Casserole Herb Crusted Cod Beef Stroganoff Pan Fried Salmon Chicken Supreme served with served with a basil served with on a bed of served with a creamed potatoes mash, cherry vine basmati rice wilted spinach green peppercorn and vegetables tomatoes and a and topped with served with confit sauce, flat cup white wine and crème fraîche and cherry tomatoes, mushroom, grilled saffron sauce smoked paprika new potatoes and tomatoes and a garlic, chilli and roast potatoes fresh herb butter sauce

Coffee or Tea Coffee or Tea Coffee or Tea Coffee or Tea Coffee or Tea & Tablet & Fudge & Shortbread & Tablet & Shortbread

24 01796 484626 • PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com 2015 Summer Season

A Little Night Music Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by Hugh Wheeler

Improbable Fiction by Alan Ayckbourn

Home And Beauty by W. Somerset Maugham

The Lady In The Van by Alan Bennett

The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Pyrenees by David Greig

Don’t forget to book your Summer Season tickets now and pay less. Offers expire 20th January! Call: 01796 484626 • Click: PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com