Bloody Scotland returns to Stirling on 17–19 September 2027. Its crime-writing programme is the reason to choose the weekend, while King Street, the Old Town and the wider area offer different bases. The conversations below belong to the completed 2026 festival. They are a look back at the writing, a chance to explore those writers before the next programme.
Confirmed for 2027
The 2027 programme hasn’t been announced yet.
2026 headline events
These events took place in 2026.
In Conversation: Chris Brookmyre and Abir Mukherjee
· ALBERT HALLS
Chris Brookmyre and Abir Mukherjee discussed Jack Parlabane’s return and a murder high above Mumbai in The Pinnacle.
2026 event detailsAt 4 festivals in 2026
Denise Mina presents Lee Child
· The Albert Halls
Lee Child looked back on his writing career and the enduring appeal of Jack Reacher in conversation with Denise Mina.
2026 event detailsAt 2 festivals in 2026
Richard Osman with Mark Billingham
· The Albert Halls
Richard Osman discussed his publishing journey and We Chase Shadows, which pursued a killer across Italy, Palm Springs and Barcelona.
2026 event detailsAt 2 festivals in 2026
Denise Mina Presents: Lucy Foley
· ALBERT HALLS
Lucy Foley discussed bringing Miss Marple back in Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel, balancing Christie’s voice with modern suspense.
2026 event detailsAt 4 festivals in 2026
Femmes Fatales: Liz Nugent, Harriet Tyce, Andrea Mara
· The Albert Halls
Liz Nugent, Harriet Tyce and Andrea Mara explored dark characters, elusive truths and threatened friendships through their latest thrillers.
2026 event detailsAt 5 festivals in 2026
Twists and Turns: Gilly Macmillan, Dorothy Koomson, Claire Douglas
· GOLDEN LION
Three thriller writers introduced mysteries involving hidden messages, missing pupils and a country house with a dangerous catch.
Explore the guide’s 2026 programme highlights.
Book your room first
Choosing the town and dates can come before choosing individual talks. If you reserve at that stage, compare the actual rate’s payment and cancellation conditions and keep its deadline with your festival plans. The search starts with the first festival night, two adults and one room; change it to fit your stay.
Where to stay for Bloody Scotland · Bloody Scotland visitor guide
Authors who appeared in 2026
Richard Osman, Lee Child, Lucy Foley, Abir Mukherjee, Christopher Brookmyre, Jane Harper.
Plan the festival visit
Use the Golden Lion on King Street as one reference point, then add the other venues on your tickets. A central Stirling room and a Bridge of Allan base are different ways to spend the weekend: the latter needs its own evening return. If steps or gradients affect you, check the actual approach to both the venue and the room. Give a separate Stirling outing its own time, instead of fitting it into every gap between crime conversations. The visitor guide and stay page compare these choices with the full return journey in mind.