What To Look Forward To?
Authors, the Arts & Archaeology
All of the hard work of the team has paid off for 2022. Check out our authors, artists and events. There's something for everyone.
Author Events
Local authors and national treasures will present unique insights into their processes and finished works.
Arts Trail
Visit local established & pop up galleries across the peninsula at your leisure.
Heritage Trail
Follow the Pictish trail across the peninsula. Soak up the history, take in the spectacular sights of the trails across each of the villages. Click on the link below which will take you to the Easter Ross Peninsula site, which shines a light on the spectacular Pictish trail.
Something for the Children
We want to share our love of books with the children in the community. As Dr Seuss says "the more you read, the more you know, the more you know the more places you go" Check out the activities on offer.
Featuring St Duthac
Named after Tain's very own Saint. Visit the Collegiate Church, soak up the atmosphere and take in a performance.
Popping -Up
We are excited to announce a variety of pop up performances, activities and the Pop Up book shop and gallery., which will be in The Clan Ross Room, Royal Hotel, Tain.
For your convenience we have pulled together this 'at a glance' section.
After months of meetings, emails and discussions the team has pulled together a fantastic variety for your enjoyment. Tickets are on sale now.
Welcome to St Duthac Book & Arts Festival 2022
Here We Go Again
The 2021 St Duthac Book and Arts Festival was the first of its kind to be held in the area and what a success it was, what a buzz there was that week, it was very special. A huge thank you to all our funders, sponsors and supporters – it would not have happened without you. It was so good we just had to have another this year!
For the 2022 festival the Organising Group has put together another packed programme of events for you, a programme we are confident will offer something for all. We are delighted to welcome as our opening evening speaker Jess Smith, Scottish Traveller and author of Jessie’s Journey and our closing speaker Paul Murton, writer, television producer and director.
In between these exciting events you will discover an exceptional range of authors, poets, speakers, performers, artists and musicians. There will be talks on subjects ranging from the Northern Lights to Hutton’s Arse!
Look out for the Roving Poet, who will pop up in expected and unexpected places. Whatever your age, bring your grandchild or bring your granny and come along to join in the fun packed workshop with Steve from Drumfun. You think you know Tain, come on one of Jason’s Horrible Histories Tours and learn some of the more gruesome stories to find out just how horrible we could be.
Take time to go on the art trail to see the excellent and varied work of the many talented artists we have in the Tain and the Easter Ross Peninsula. Brows in the Pop-Up Bookshop, enjoy refreshments, catch up with kent people and meet new people over the Book and Arts Festival dates. Come along, have fun and help make it every bit as good as last year, if not better!
22nd - 26th September 2022
Promoting literature and the arts through the only book & arts festival based on the Easter Ross Peninsula. Bringing authors, musicians and artists from the local area, and further afield, together in this four day event.
Through the planned programme of activities and events the festival will promote the arts, while preserving and promoting local culture, entertaining local people and attracting book, art and heritage loving visitors to the community.
Tickets are available on-line or in person at the TDDT Hub at 8 Tower Street, Tain.
Opening hours Mon - Thurs 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. & Fri 10 a.m. - 12 noon.
Telephone: 01862 857182
Meet The Team
About The St Duthac Book & Arts Festival
The Full Story
In 2019 over a bottle of wine an idea by two former teachers for a book festival took root. They formed the St Duthac Book & Arts Festival group (pictured) with the aim to further promote literature, heritage and the arts in their community. Following meetings, programme development, market stalls and fundraising the first St Duthac Book & Arts Festival, based in Tain on the Easter Ross Peninsula, became a reality.
At our inaugural general meeting in April 2022 we welcomed Jackie Ross and Helen Sedgwick to the committee. Thank you to everyone who has helped the group get to this point. Our second festival will launch with the opening of the very popular pop-up bookshop on the 21st September in the Clan Ross Room, Royal Hotel, Tain. Followed by an exciting programme of events and pop up appearances taking place across various venues on the peninsula until the 27th September 2022.