It’s that time of year again – the air’s turning just a wee bit crisper, my tote bag’s already bursting with books, and my calendar is circled (in red pen!) for one of the absolute highlights of my year: Bloody Scotland 2025.
As a proud Scot and long-time festival-goer, Bloody Scotland has become more than just a literary event for me. It’s a homecoming – full of familiar faces, brilliant minds, and that electric buzz that only comes from sharing a love of crime fiction with thousands of others who just get it. There’s truly nothing else like it.
This year’s programme is packed as always, but I’ve already got my eye on two panels that I know are going to be unmissable…
🔍 Cosy Like Sunday Morning
🗓️ Sunday 14th September
🕥 10:30–11:30AM
📍 Golden Lion Hotel
Now, you know I’ve got a soft spot for a clever cosy mystery – and this panel has fun written all over it. I can’t wait to see Jonathan Whitelaw, Judy Murray, Marnie Riches, and Mel Pennant chat all things murder, gardening, and court cases (both tennis and legal!).
Where else are you going to see Judy Murray serve up crime fiction alongside authors who’ve turned greenhouses and book clubs into scenes of the crime? I’m expecting giggles, killer one-liners, and more than a few plant-based puns. This one’s guaranteed to be a Sunday morning tonic.
🧠 Deadline News
🗓️ Friday 12th September
🕑 2:00–3:00PM
📍 Trinity Church
This panel promises to be sharp, smart, and deeply satisfying for anyone who loves the intersection of journalism and fiction. Douglas Skelton, Philip Miller, and Charlotte Philby are all masters of weaving truth, tension, and the grey areas in between.
I’ve followed Douglas Skelton’s work for years, and Rebecca Connolly is one of those characters who feels like she really exists. I’m fascinated to hear how these authors balance fact and fiction – and where the lines blur in both crime reporting and crime storytelling. Expect serious insight and, knowing this crew, a healthy dash of dry wit.
🎟️ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in it for the panels, the bookshop buzz, the late-night chatter over drinks, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of Stirling, Bloody Scotland is a must.
If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, don’t hang about – things do sell out quickly. You can check the full programme and book your spots at 👉 bloodyscotland.com
I’ll be there, notebook in one hand, coffee in the other, fangirling quietly from the second row. If you spot me – come say hi!
Kelly Lacey & Love Books Tours 
Sounds sooo good
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It is absolutely brilliant.
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