If your TBR is already groaning under the weight of crime fiction, I’ve got bad news for your bank balance… because the full programme for the 2026 edition of the Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival has officially been revealed and honestly… It’s looking absolutely unmissable!
Returning to Stirling from 18–20 September, Bloody Scotland once again proves why it remains one of the very best crime writing festivals in the world. This year’s line-up is stacked with bestselling heavyweights including Richard Osman, Liz Nugent, Sarah Pinborough, Steve Cavanagh, Nadine Matheson, Janice Hallett, Andrea Mara, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and Gregg Hurwitz alongside a brilliant mix of Scottish favourites, international stars and exciting debut voices.
And then there’s guest programmer Denise Mina, who has curated what sounds like an unforgettable weekend of murder, mayhem and bookish chaos. Her special guests include Lee Child, Jane Harper, Lucy Foley, Tana French, Jane Casey, S A Cosby and Ardal O’Hanlon and no surprise, but Lee Child’s event sold out within 24 hours of early bird tickets going live.
But Bloody Scotland has always been more than “just” author panels. That’s what makes it so special.
This year’s fringe programme sounds absolutely so much fun, with everything from a Royal Stirling-themed procession led by Denise Mina to the return of the iconic Karaoke at the Coo. There’s also Eight Out Of Ten Crime Writers Do Countdown, a live murder mystery experience, Desert Island Crooks, a Dept Q event featuring the Netflix stars and creators, true crime walking tours, courtroom drama at Stirling Sheriff Court and even a screening of The Maltese Falcon introduced by the author’s granddaughter. I mean OMFG, how will I choose?
Basically: crime fiction heaven and I am totally here for it!
I also love seeing the continued support for emerging Scottish crime writers, with debut prize shortlisters Zoë Rankin, Frances Crawford, Kirsty Lockwood, May Rinaldi and Linda Duncan McLaughlin featured alongside established names such as Chris Brookmyre, Abir Mukherjee, Louise Welsh, Graeme Macrae Burnet, Lin Anderson and Alan Parks.
And in a brilliant international move, Bloody Scotland is partnering with Helsinki Noir for the first time, bringing Finnish crime writers to Stirling and sending Scottish authors to Helsinki in 2027. Nordic noir fans, this one’s for you.
Whether you’re a lifelong crime fiction fanatic, an aspiring writer, or someone who simply loves the atmosphere of a festival where everyone is obsessed with murder books, Bloody Scotland 2026 is shaping up to be an absolute belter.
Now excuse me while I go and pretend I don’t already want tickets for approximately everything… roll on Sept! Will I see you there?
