Bloody Scotland reveals McCall Smith launching 2018 programme with one off event 4 June in Stirling! @nholten40 @BloodyScotland

ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH TO MAKE FIRST EVER APPEARANCE AT BLOODY SCOTLAND WHEN HE APPEARS IN STIRLING TO LAUNCH THE PROGRAMME ON MONDAY 4 JUNE 2018

Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival is delighted to announce that it will be marking the launch of the 2018 programme in the presence of the writer of one of Scotland’s best loved crime series, Alexander McCall Smith.

The official programme launch on Monday 4 June will be followed by afternoon tea in the Ballroom of The Golden Lion Hotel in Stirling as Alexander McCall Smith celebrates the 20th anniversary of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

Director of Bloody Scotland, Bob McDevitt said:

‘From the first Bloody Scotland festival in 2012, we have tried to get the wonderful Alexander McCall Smith on the programme but sadly his schedule and ours have never been in sync. Until now’

Alexander McCall Smith said:

‘I can’t think of any better way to celebrate 20 years of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency than with afternoon tea at the launch of Scotland’s biggest crime book festival. I have always wanted to appear at Bloody Scotland & am glad we have managed to make it work as I’ll be in Botswana when the actual festival takes place.’

Not only will Bloody Scotland announce the line up for the 2018 festival, it will toast a milestone anniversary for one of Scotland’s greatest crime writers. Incredibly, it is 20 years since The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency was first published, introducing Precious Ramotswe to captivated audiences around the world. In the two decades since, Mma Ramotswe- along with Grace Makutsi and the excellent mechanic, Mr J L B Matekoni – have entertained us in a further 17 novels from Botswana. Their creator is as captivating as his characters.

Tickets will be available from http://culturestirling.org/events/alexander-mccall-smith/ or from the Albert Halls or The Toll Booth in Stirling. Free standby tickets are available to the unemployed or those on a low income on the day of the event if there is good availability. Proof of eligibility is required and tickets are limited to one person. A 10% discount is available to people residing in the Stirling Council area. You must give your address at the time of booking.