We have the huge pleasure of hosting the wonderful Cynthia Rogerson, a Californian Scottish writer living in the Highlands, winner of the V.S.Pritchett Prize and holder of a Royal Literary Fund Fellowship.

Cynthia will be launching her latest book '100,000 Birthdays' at the St Duthac Book and Arts Festival on Wednesday 10th September 2025 from 7.30 p.m. "This book celebrates every fragile, fleeting heartbeat in the grand tapestry of existence".

Cynthia has published a memoir, five novels, a collection of short stories and has supervised on the Edinburgh University Creative Writing program.

Click here to book.

We are sending positive vibes to Asad Qureshi: 165 Days-Prisoner of the Taliban, who is unwell and can no longer attend our wee festival in the Highlands.

We have cancelled the event, but hope to re-schedule in the future when Asad is feeling better.

All ticket holders will receive a full re-fund through TicketSource.

Once again thank you for your support.

The tickets for the 5th St Duthac Book and Arts Festival go live at 9 a.m. on the 29th July 2025. 

Save the date and set an alarm because you don't want to lose out on this brilliant varied programme of events, right on your doorstep. 
got to Ticketsource direct or scan the QR Code or call 0333 666 3366 to book. 

On Thursday 17th July, we officially launched the 2025 programme at a volunteer event.  The hot of the press programmes were shared amongst the volunteers who have been delivering to locations across the district. 

Not seen a copy yet, don't worry you can view it in it's tangerine glow by clicking here. 

​Back by popular demand following the Poetry Slam of 2024, this Open Mic Session encourages everyone who has a song, poem, or story to tell to turn up, get up, and give it a go!
Bring your own work, or perform someone else’s, this will be a cracking good night and just the thing to get everyone in the mood for Festival Week.

Monday 8th September, 7.30pm—9.30pm
The Underground, Castle Brae, Tain, IV19 1AJ

​Can't wait for our programme of events to be announced? We have been keeping tight lipped about the content of the 2025 programme, but you may have noticed we are feeling peachy this year.
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The 2025 brochure is with the printer right now and we plan to distribute it with the help of our fantastic volunteers, across the peninsula and further afield, from the 18th July 2025.
 
Booking will open from the 29th July 2025.

The first author in this year’s St Duthac Book and Arts Festival line up has been announced.
The Ross-shire event is to welcome back popular author Jess Smith.  Smith, who also appeared at the Festival in 2022, is the author of six books often dealing with the traveller community.
Jess has written an autobiographical trio – ‘Jessie’s Journey’, ‘Tales from the Tent’ and ‘Tears for a Tinker’ – as well as ‘Sookin’ Berries’, a collection of stories aimed at younger readers, a novel (‘Bruar’s Rest’) and a more sociological study of the traveller community, ‘Way of the Wanderers’.
Chairperson Frances Wood made the announcement of Smith’s return at the Book and Arts Festival’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). She said: “We are delighted to announce the welcome return of Jess Smith to this year’s programme.
“I know how valued her first appearance was, and we are all looking forward to hearing more of her stories from the world of the traveller community.”
Jess Smith will be appearing on the 9th of September at 19:30 in the Tain Golf Club. 

On Monday 9th June, some 65 people enjoyed two walks around the Castle and grounds of Balnagown Castle, Easter Ross.  The walks were organised by St Duthac Book and Arts Festival Group with the kind permission of the Management of Balnagown Estate.
 
A highly informative talk about the history of the Rosses of Balnagown was delivered by Jason Ubych in his usual enthusiastic style and Catherine Williams told stories about the more recent times on the Estate, including the environmental work being undertaken to protect rare butterflies.
The Castle shone in the morning sunshine and the gardens planted up for the season looked stunning.  With the gentle sound of the Balnagown River running alongside, visitors enjoyed seeing the well cut into the rock face and walking across the bridges to reach the island in the pond. The afternoon rain did not dampen spirits, and the resounding request at the end of the day was "More Please".

Can't wait for the full festival in September?  Then why not join us on our ever popular walking tour of Balnagown Estate, lead by Jason Ubych of Tain and District Museum?
Book your tickets by clicking on the link below. 

We were feeling the love with over 45% of our membership at our 4th AGM on the 24th April.

We popped up with a stall at the Tain daffodil tea in aid of Marie Curie on the 12th April. 

On the 19th April we had a stall at the first 2025 Tain Market. 

We are delighted to welcome a new member to our merry little band of volunteers.
 
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