Save the Date
8th - 13th September 2026
On the Easter Ross Peninsula, Highland
Inspiring A Community With Creativity
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Something For Young People
Festival in our Schools – Bringing the Arts to local Pupils
During Festival Week, the St Duthac Book and Arts Festival Group offers visits from talented authors, artists and musicians to local Secondary and Primary Schools, all free of charge.
Schools around the Easter Ross Peninsula become vibrant creative hubs where enthralling storytelling, creative writing, art workshops, live music and illuminating author and artist talks take place. All paid for by your generous donations at Festival events and support from the Scottish Book Trust. Thank you.
Visiting schools this year are authors Gerda Stevenson, Scott Kyle, Rebecca Marr, playwright Dave Smith and artist Evie McCutcheon. Also visiting the Gaelic classes will be Carrie Forbes, while musician Henry Fosbrooke will visit St Duthus classes.
Gerda Stevenson - Private School Visit
Gerda Stevenson, writer, actor, director, singer/songwriter and performer.
Gerda works in theatre, TV, opera, radio and film. She is the founder of Scotland’s leading women’s theatre company, Stellar Quines, and winner of a BAFTA for her performance in the feature film, Blue Black Permanent. Her play, Federer Versus Murray, toured to New York, and her writing is studied at Glasgow University and the Open University.
Gerda will also be delighting audiences on
Thursday 10th September
7.30 pm-8.30 pm
Mansfield Castle Hotel, Scotsburn Road, Tain IV19 1PR
Henry Fosbrooke - Family Drumming and Music Making
Saturday 12th September 12.30 pm-1.30 pm
The Collegiate Church, Tain IV19 1AJ Tickets £3 per person
Suitable for all ages
Join the hugely talented Henry Fosbrooke on a thrilling adventure into music making with drums of all sizes, handmade by Henry, and other musical instruments. Get carried away by the rhythms and vibrations of the drums and soft beaters. Make wonderful music in the beautiful setting of the old Collegiate Church - let's make the rafters sing!
Woodworker Henry has been making and using musical instruments all his adult life, sharing his love of all things wood and visiting schools and Care Homes with his handmade instruments.
Henry will also be part of the school programme.
Children’s Treasure Hunt!
Friday 11th September
3.30 pm-4.30 pm
Tain Library, Stafford Street, Tain IV19 1AZ FREE
Children aged 3 to 10 will love hunting around Tain Library to find all the hidden things. Helpful hints from staff will ensure every child has fun and enjoys the hunt. No need to book.
Scott Kyle Private School Visit
Scott delivers a powerful, uplifting storytelling experience. Award-winning actor Scott Kyle explores resilience, identity, second chances and the courage it takes to begin again - all delivered with warmth, humour, and emotional honesty.
Scott will also be delighting audiences on
Wednesday 9th September
2.30 pm-3.30 pm
St Duthus Bowling Club, Tain IV19 1JB Tickets £5 + booking fee
Evie McCutcheon - Private School Visit
Evie McCutcheon is a character designer and comic illustrator living in the North Highlands. She creates digital web comics, concept art and zines, and engages in community arts projects.
Evie will also be an artist in residence in the Pop-Up bookshop.
Friday 11th September
2.00 pm-4.00 pm
FREE ENTRY
Please come and watch Evie at work.
Primary School Private Visit
Dave Smith is a local playwright living in Tain. Dave has been involved in theatre and touring shows around the Highlands since 1986, when he started working with the theatre group Clown Jewels. He has been creating plays since his first commission in 2000 and recently has been converting some of his theatre material into novels.
Carrie Forbes- Private School Visit
Local award winning voice over artist and gaelic speaker Carrie Forbes lives and works in Tain. Her friendly, caring and trustworthy Scottish voice can be heard across the globe. She is fun and easy to work with and as well as visiting groups and schools she is a regular performer of traditional Scottish music at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
Carrie will be introducing the
“Fèis Rois at 40” In partnership with the Blas Festival
Monday 7th September
7.30 pm-9.30 pm
The Duthac Centre, Stafford Street, Tain IV19 1BQ
Adult £18, Concession £16, Under 18 £5, Group (2 adults + 2 children) £42
Tickets here
Primary School Private Visit
Rebecca Marr
studied photography in Edinburgh before making Orkney her home. Using photography which can be darkroom-based, camera-less, digital, or a hybrid, Rebecca's work is dominated by the natural world and in particular plants, seaweeds, sea and clouds.
For over twenty years, Rebecca has collaborated with poet Valerie Gillies, Edinburgh’s 2nd Makar, each using their own art forms to add something to what the other is saying. See www.whenthegrassdances.art
Rebecca is also a part of our festival on
Friday 11th September
11.00 am-12.00 pm
Browns Gallery, Castle Brae, Tain IV19 1AJ
For full Exhibition details visit https://www.browns-gallery.com/tain/
Children's Corner Popping Up
The children's corner in our Pop-Up book shop is a great addition to the festival. With games, drawing materials and of course books the children can lose themselves, dream big and expand and enrich their worlds.
The pop-up bookshop, Masonic Lodge, Queen Street, Tain