Alistair Moffat sums up the 2011 festival

Sunshine matters, and it shone brilliantly out of a clear autumn sky at Lennoxlove House last weekend, bathing the book festival in glorious light, backlighting the brown and yellow leaves and warming the hearts of all who came. 

Lennoxlove House

Scottish literary festival: A dramatic opening

It opened with drama; the pipes and drums of Loretto School and a magnificent firework display. More dazzle followed when we showed an exclusive extract from War Horse, the new Steven Spielberg film based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel, and the author spoke about the business of adaptation. Then Alistair Darling gave a brilliant exposition of the financial crash, the crash and burn of the banks- and from a vantage point in the middle of the pyrotechnics.

Loretto School Pipe Band

Book festival weekend highlights

And the weekend was off! Excellent session followed excellent session, but perhaps a highlight was the re-staging of John Byrne’s brilliant play, Writer’s Cramp, 35 years after its premiere on the Edinburgh Fringe in 1977. After two of the original cast of three had dropped out through illness, Isla Blair and John Sessions took their parts alongside Bill Paterson and brought the house down. It was magical.

2011 cast of Writer's Cramp

Feedback

And so was Lennoxlove, a magical festival, full of atmosphere, full of warmth and light. The literary editor of The Herald said: ‘I can’t think of a better setting for a book festival, or a more appreciative audience.’  Isla Blair and Julian Glover said: ‘we are still glowing from that wonderful weekend… fantastic, so well organised yet really warm and friendly.’  And Mrs Sandra Crace, attending her very first book festival, said ‘it made one proud to be Scottish’.

Thanks to all those who came and made the festival what it was.  We would very much appreciate your feedback:  if you didn’t fill in a questionnaire at the festival, please fill in our online Audience Survey and you will be entered into a prize draw for £75 worth of book tokens.

A glorious weekend

Lennoxlove Book Festival 2012

And for those wanting to take advantage of early booking next year, please don’t forget our Friends scheme: you can join online.

Until next year!

Alistair Moffat, Festival Director

And we're off...day one fireworks and bagpipes

The first pics from Day 1 of the 2011 festival. Festivities kicked off with the talented Loretto School Pipe Band while fireworks lit up the sky.

Festival marquees were packed with audiences eager to hear Claire Tomalin, Michael Morpurgo, and Alistair Darling. All three speakers didn't disappoint and lively question and answer sessions were enjoyed by all.

Kelvin Sewell shared insights from his years as a homocide detective in Baltimore, and revealed that the hit series, 'The Wire', is very close to the truth of real events. Quote of the night from Kelvin, "I've had two contracts put on my life...I didn't tell my wife until after the book came out."

Loretto School Pipe Band

Fireworks light up the sky

Some great events to follow today, with the fun packed Knight Frank Family Book Festival. Look out for Debi Gliori and 'The Scariest Thing of All', Adam Hart Davis and 'A Brief History of Time', and the splendiferous James and the Giant Peach Party.

And today for adults: whet your appetite with Alys Fowler and her Thrifty Foraging, cycle the Americas with Mark Beaumont, or find out about life behind doors at number 10 Downing St with Sarah Brown. Many other additional sessions on offer...full programme information from Lennoxlove Book Festival Box Office.

NB Photos courtesy of Writer Pictures

Preparing for festival kick-off…and editor’s pick

The final countdown to our literary festival weekend and it’s all systems go behind the scenes. Our speakers are feverishly preparing their talks, the marquees are being flung up, and Lennoxlove House is dusting down the antiques and preparing to throw open the doors. It all begins with a bang on Friday night - quite literally - with fizz, fireworks and a pipe band at our opening party – by the way, still time to become a friend of the festival and grab your party ticket.

As a final pre festival round-up of this year’s speakers, we’d thought we’d offer you our editor’s pick of events:

Alys Fowler – BBC gardener, Alys will share some tips on Thrifty Foraging. Who needs Tesco when you can find your next meal in the great outdoors!

Hacking Unhacked – three characters from the frontline of politics and media will offer their view of this year’s biggest story

Norman Davies - one of our greatest historians unlocks the story of Europe’s hidden past

Isla Blair –not only a fine actress but also a great author, as will be revealed
Adam Hart-Davis – full of barmy scientific facts, Adam will offer his very unique and brief take on the history of time

Michael and Rebecca Frayn – celebrated novelists and playwrights, this literary dynasty are teaming up to discuss life, stories, families and everything

Bodymore, Murderland – Baltimore cop Kelvin Sewell will share the real stories from the murderous streets made infamous by the classic HBO TV series, The Wire

How to Make a Publisher Say Yes (Nicola Morgan) – invaluable advice for aspiring writers looking to secure that first book deal

Andrew Murray - Andrew ran 2,659 miles from John o’ Groats to the Moroccan Sahara Desert to raise cash for charity. An epic challenge and now an epic story

Hugh Johnson – a wine legend, Hugh will talk about his vintage life and career

Something for everyone including the kids at our Knight Frank family book festival.

Still to buy your tickets? Then visit our box office website for more information. The box office will also be open for ticket sales all weekend at the festival.

We look forward to seeing you there!

A cast of Hallowe’en horrors

After the haunting of Hallowe’en night, comes the zombies, fiends, monsters and fright at Lennoxlove Book Festival…all in a creaking ancient house full of its own Scottish ghosts…come and join us if you think you’re brave enough. Children welcome to come in fancy dress.

Haunted with Eleanor Updale

Award-winning author Eleanor Updale will be at Lennoxlove to read from and talk about her tale of a very modern ghost, who haunts his victim through a computer. Ages 9+.

Invisible Fiends, Barry Hutchison

Barry Hutchison’s creepy, deliciously nightmarish Invisible Fiends are guaranteed to make your blood run cold. Ages 9-13.

Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson

Knobbly knees and turned out toes and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose. Julia Donaldson and her very famous monster are back for lots of Gruffalo fun. Ages 5+.

You can draw the Horrible Histories with Martin Brown

Learn to draw all the nasty bits of history in a witty cartoon style. See how Martin Brown, illustrator of the Horrible Histories series, creates his illustrations the ‘horrible’ way and join in with your own gory drawings. Ages 7+.

Fleshless Skulls and Bulging Eyes, Vivian Collins, Ross Young

Does Fiddleduster Squint win the prize as the creepiest zombie of all? Help create a truly scary graphic novel based on The Tales from the Five Kingdoms! Ages 9+.

The Scariest Thing of all with Debi Gliori

Calling all active imaginations to come and help Debi Gliori draw some Gobblers, Hissters and Giant Woodtrolls and discover how Pip met the Scariest Thing of All ... and survived to tell the tale. Age 4-7.

And for the adults…
Allan Little, Dictators I Have Known

Fresh from elections in Tunisia, , Allan will offer his tales of encounters with Saddam Hussein, Slobodan Milosevic, Robert Mugabe, Nicolae Ceausescu, Charles Taylor, Mobutu Sese Seko and Radovan Karadzic and his daughter, Sonja. A line-up of real life monsters…

 Visit the Lennoxlove Box Office website for full programme details.

Expert sessions for new writers

Unpublished author needing a helping hand? We have a great line-up of expert sessions planned for Lennoxlove Book Festival with advice on how to get your creative writing flowing, and tips on landing that elusive publishing deal.

An Introduction to Writing for Children with Vivian French

Love children’s stories? Always wanted to write your own, but don’t know where to start? Come and join children’s author Vivien French for two hours of advice, tips and exercises.

Vivien French

Opening New Doors: Writing Opportunities in Today’s World of E-Publishing

Professor Joe Goldblatt, FRSA of Queen Margaret University, has authored, co-authored and edited 25 books over the last quarter of a century. Joe will share his own experiences of working with major international publishers and answer your questions about how best to locate and enter the numerous new channels now available.

How to Make a Publisher Say Yes!

The route to publication is often paved with rejections and frustration. WHY do publishers and agents make the decisions they do? What exactly are they looking for and how should you present your work? What are the all-too-common mistakes of aspiring writers? Nicola Morgan will take you inside the minds of publishers an agents.

Tyne & Esk Writers Present

The great surge in the success of Scottish writing comes from somewhere, and one of those somewheres is writers’ groups. Few are more vibrant than the Tyne & Esk who will join us at Lennoxlove to offer short, sharp readings of their new work.

Visit our box office website for details of the full festival programme.

Direct from the frontline of politics and media

A cast of characters from the centre of the biggest political and media dramas of recent times will share their version of events at Lennoxlove this year. Not to be missed… 

Alistair Darling

In Back From The Brink, Alistair tells the gripping story of how the world’s financial institutions were saved, steadied and enabled to carry on. This is a prime historical document, written like a thriller. Hear Alistair as he shares defining moments, the repercussions of which have affected us all.

Sarah Brown

In her fascinating account of family life at 10 Downing Street from 2007 to 2010, Behind the Black Door, Sarah tells a fresh, warm and perceptive story of the background to the great events that rumbled across the world stage. Her view of the key personalities involved in the financial crash of 2008 and its aftermath is a unique and close-up perspective.

Allan Little

The BBC’s Special Correspondent has spent part of his career dealing with some of the most dangerous, volatile people on the planet. In his superb talk, Dictators I Have Known, Allan tells of encounters with a gallery of monsters. His extraordinary accounts detail dangerous and delicate situations in which even experienced reporters can find themselves when pursuing a story.

Hacking Unhacked

The phone hacking scandal has become one of the biggest, most far-reaching stories in Britain this century. Hear what happened at length and first hand from those at the centre of politics – Chris Bryant MP, Michael Moore MP (Secretary of State for Scotland), and Dan Sabbagh of The Guardian.

James Naughtie

Jim, a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme, has occupied a ringside seat on public life, interviewing a hugely varied cast of characters and reporting from home and abroad on the events that have shaped our time. He looks back on the momentous, the tragic and the hilarious, reliving the joys and the frustrations of a life on the road and behind the microphone. A personal and political story, not to be missed.
Tam Dalyell

Vivid, principled, a great parliamentarian famous for asking awkward questions, Tam Dalyell has achieved far more in a busy, bustling political life than many who have held the great offices of state. After 43 years as MP for West Lothian and Linlithgow, he sat down to write a memoir entitled, what else, ’The Importance of Being Awkward’ which he’ll share with us at Lennoxlove.

For the full events programme listing visit our box office.

History brought alive

Visitors to Lennoxlove Book Festival last year told us they’d like more events on historical literature. We aim to please, so this year we have history events galore. Which ones to choose…

Claire Tomalin on Charles Dickens

Even to his contemporaries, Charles Dickens was a phenomenon: demonically hard-working, endlessly fertile and a fascinating, complex man. In Charles Dickens: A Life, Claire Tomalin, one of Britain’s greatest biographers brings this extraordinary man to life.

Tom Devine

The leading Scottish historian completes his great trilogy with ‘To the Ends of the Earth’, the remarkable story of emigration from Scotland. Hear Tom as he discusses the Scottish exodus.

Norman Davies

One of our greatest historians unlocks the story of Europe’s hidden past, a series of alternatives to the familiar map. In Vanished Kingdoms: The History of a Half-Forgotten Europe, Norman redraws frontiers and remembers the possibilities of the past.

Historical Fiction: Love, Sex and Betrayal

Investigate our impulses through the ages with three acclaimed historical novelists: A L Berridge, Maeve Haran - who both left successful TV careers to become bestselling writers - and Karen Maitland, author of the bestselling debut The Company of Liars.

Willis Pickard

In his excellent biography of Duncan McLaren, Lord Provost and MP for Victorian Edinburgh, Willis Pickard tells the extraordinary story of a man hugely influential in his time, but who has virtually disappeared from public view.

Horrible Histories

Join Martin Brown, illustrator of the phenomenally popular Horrible Histories series, to see step-by-step how he brings history to life. For children ages 7+.

Visit our full programme listing.

Experience The Good Life for Bon Viveurs!

Get back to basics and experience the good life next month at Lennoxlove Book Festival. Wine lovers and gardeners are in for a real treat.

Alys Fowler

From the weeds in your garden to the trees in your street, free and tasty food turns out to be all around us. In her new book, ‘The Thrifty Forager’, Alys Fowler not only identifies this unexpected harvest, she also shows how to cook and enjoy it. A presenter on Gardeners’ World, host of her own TV series, The Edible Garden, and a columnist in The Guardian, Alys will offer her expertise on how to grow your own food.  Join Alys on Saturday 5th November.

Alys Fowler

Hugh Johnson

In the world of wine writers, Hugh Johnson is a legend and his Pocket Wine books are the ultimate compact guide to what’s best and what’s new. Hugh will talk more widely about the length and breadth of his writing and tasting career, his expertise in gardening - especially his passion for trees - and much more. Event sponsored by Vino. Join Hugh on Sunday 6th November.

Hugh Johnson

For the full book festival programme listing visit www.lbfboxoffice.co.uk.

Two amazing journeys

Ever considered a challenge of ultimate endurance? A cycle from one end of the Americas to the other perhaps, or a run from Scotland to Sahara? Meet our two extreme athletes, Mark Beaumont, and Andrew Murray who achieved just those and will join us at Lennoxlove Book Festival to recount their amazing journeys.

Mark Beaumont

The Man Who Cycled the Americas is an epic. Cycling on his own, without any support team around him, Scotsman Mark Beaumont completed an astonishing feat of endurance. From the US’s northwestern tip to Chile and Tierra del Fuego, he cycled 15,000 miles, climbing Mount McKinley in Alaska and Aconcagua in Argentina (the highest peaks in North and South America) en route, and making his way through a series of fascinating adventures and tremendously diverse cultures. With his trademark humour and self-deprecation, Mark tells the story of this extraordinary journey. No doubt his latest adventure, a trip to the Arctic in a rowing boat, will be the inspiration for another book. Perhaps we shall hear a first draft at Lennoxlove. Book tickets to hear Mark Beaumont on Saturday 5th November, 6.00pm.

Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray ran 2,659 miles from John o’ Groats to the Moroccan Sahara Desert to raise cash for charity. In a record-breaking endurance run named Scotland2Sahara, he covered an average of 34.4 miles a day - every day. Thousands joined him. Andrew has also won races in some of the harshest environments on Earth - the Arctic in winter, the jungle, and the plains of Mongolia. He is a GP and a sports and exercise specialist working in Edinburgh as well as an expedition doctor who has looked after some of the world’s toughest athletes. His new book describes his extraordinary double life and has a foreword by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.  Book tickets to hear Andrew Murray on Sunday 6th November, 4.45pm.

Something for the kids

The Knight Frank Family Book Festival is back with a bang over Bonfire Night weekend at Lennoxlove and we believe it’s a bit of a cracker. Suitable for babies through to teenagers, our programme is packed with some very special authors and performers. And new this year is our Family Day Pass offering superb value entry.

Our weekend of events have a distinctly gory, ghoulish and scientific flavour. Here’s a taster of what to enjoy:

• War Horse – Michael Morpurgo will share insights from his fantastic novel which is about to hit our cinema screens in a new blockbuster film from Steven Spielberg (ages 9+)
• You can draw Horrible Histories – learn how to draw all the gory bits from history with Martin Brown, illustrator of the ever popular Horrible Histories series (ages 7+)
• James and the Giant Peach 50th Birthday Party – an hour of splendiferous, gloriumptious, and whizzpopping arts and crafts fun to celebrate this Roald Dahl classic (ages 5-8)
• Fairies, Rodents & Gruffalos - Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson is back to act out stories and sing songs from some of her best-loved books (ages 5+)
• A Brief History of Time with Adam Hart-Davies – budding scientists will love Adam’s snippets from  his new book ‘The Book of Time: The Secrets of Time, How It Works and How We Measure It’ (ages 8+)
• The Scariest Thing of All - Calling all active imaginations to come and help Debi Gliori draw some Gobblers, Hissters and Giant Woodtrolls and discover how Pip met the Scariest Thing of All ... and survived to tell the tale (ages 4-7)
• Flat Stanley – learn all about the amazing flat boy who can slip under doors, fly like a kite, and, best of all, travel by mail! (ages 7-9)
• Fleshless Skulls and Bulging Eyes - Does Fiddleduster Squint win the prize as the creepiest zombie of all? Or can you do better? Help Ross Collins and Vivian French create a truly scary graphic novel base (ages 9+)
• Sir Charlie Stinky Socks - after a sell-out event at last year’s Festival, author and illustrator Kristina Stephenson brings her hero Sir Charlie Stinky Socks back for another really big adventure (ages 4-8)
• Invisible Fiends - Barry Hutchison will present his creepy, deliciously nightmarish Invisible Fiends series which is guaranteed to make your blood run cold (ages 9-13)
• Bookbug Rhyme Sessions – join East Lothian Libraries for free stories and rhymes for babies and toddlers (babies and under 3’s)
• And lots more…

If that wasn’t enough, we can also promise free arts, crafts, storytelling, and childrens' entertainers galore throughout the weekend. Don’t miss the fun!

For a full listing of family festival events, details of our Family Day Pass, and to book tickets visit our Box Office website. 

Lennoxlove Book Festival Programme 2011 Revealed

After many months of feverish planning, the programme for the third Lennoxlove Book Festival, has been announced, and offers an intriguing double theme: creativity and power.

This year's Book Festival, brings together creative minds such as playwright and artist John Byrne, award-winning writers Claire Tomalin, Michael Frayn and Janice Galloway, musician Barbara Dickson, and acclaimed actors Bill Paterson and Isla Blair. Meanwhile, sharing a fascinating insight from the corridors of power will be Alistair Darling, Sarah Brown and Tam Dalyell. Elsewhere in the programme, celebrated historians Norman Davies and Tom Devine look at the distribution of power in the past, while BBC correspondent Allan Little looks at power gone bad in his talk 'Dictators I have Known'.

Events also cover feats of endurance and the great outdoors, with talks by recent Arctic expeditionist and cyclist Mark Beaumont, endurance-runner Andrew Murray, and wild forager and TV gardener Alys Fowler, while popular broadcasters Adam Hart-Davies and James Naughtie promise to entertain the crowds.

McInroy & Wood, one of Scotland’s leading personal investment managers and another of Haddington’s success stories, is the lead sponsor again for the Book Festival.

Michael Morpurgo, Author of 'War Horse'

And for the family…

The Knight Frank Family Book Festival, is returning strong as ever, with events by the hugely popular Julia Donaldson, War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, Kristina Stephenson and Nick Sharratt, and a party for the 50th anniversary of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach. This year, Family Day Passes will be available for the first time, offering admission to certain children’s events throughout the day for two adults and up to three children for £22.

Are you brave enough…

For those of strong heart, there are sessions on 'crime capital' Baltimore by a real life homicide detective, an expose of the recent phone hacking scandal by MPs Chris Bryant and Michael Moore and Guardian journalist Dan Sabbagh, and for younger readers, Horrible Histories artist Martin Brown, horror writer Barry Hutchison and a graphic novel workshop by Ross Collins and Vivien French. For the first time, Lennoxlove also introduces a series of 'how to' practical events on getting published and e-publishing, writing for children, and the art of persuasion.

A unique Scottish Festival

Lennoxlove Book Festival runs from 4th - 6th November 2011 and takes place in four venues within the house and grounds of beautiful Lennoxlove House in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland. As well as the ticketed events, there is a well-stocked bookshop, a licensed cafe bar and a wealth of things to see and do throughout the weekend, including lots of free children's activities provided by East Lothian Libraries, free circus skills sessions, a display by Loretto School Pipes and Drums and, to mark Guy Fawkes weekend, a spectacular fireworks display on the opening night. The Festival is made more accessible by a regular free shuttle bus service from Haddington, whilst car parking this year has been improved and a small parking charge introduced.

The Book Festival enjoys the support of East Lothian Council and EventScotland, as well as Queen Margaret University, full service law firm Anderson Strathern, the National Libraries of Scotland, and local companies Lafarge and Vino, who have joined as new sponsors this year.

How to book

The Lennoxlove Book Festival Box Office is now open. Visit our website for full programme information and booking details. Or call the box office on 0844 357 7611.

Media enquiries

For a copy of the full press release or for any media enquiries please contact info@lennoxlovebookfestival.com or call 01620 829 800.

Who would you like to see at the Lennoxlove Book Festival this year?

A festival programme to suit all tastes

Only a week to go until programme launch and the excitement is mounting here at the Festival Office. We are just bursting to tell you all about this year’s line-up! It’s a goody, even if we do say so ourselves. We’ve gone to great lengths to make sure there is something for everyone, and all ages to enjoy so here’s a few hints about what you can expect:

History lovers

Prepare to be taken on a journey - through the life of a great Victorian perhaps, or the global wanderings of the Scots, or even some now-vanished Kingdoms.

Political movers and shakers

Be assured of a great line-up of characters from the world of British politics, who will be offering frank insights into the hottest political stories both past and present – one of them very much in the headlines this week.

Actors, entertainers, and presenters

Some well kent faces from the worlds of singing, acting, and TV presenting will be joining us to beguile us with their tales of a life well-lived within the entertainment industry.

Sport and travel

Two fairly incongruous topics you might think but you’ll find out why not when we disclose our very exciting speakers. And we are delighted to hear that one of them has just made it back home safely from their latest big, cold, adventure!

Gardening, food, drink and nature

We can guarantee that after listening to these delightful presenters that you’ll never look at the great outdoors or your wine rack in quite the same way again.

And for the younger ones

Our Family Festival is back and kindly sponsored this year by Knight Frank. Don’t miss a fantastic line-up of authors from near and afar ready to entertain little readers from babies right through to teens. But watch out for terrible creatures with terrible claws!

The 2011 Lennoxlove Book Festival programme launches on 15th September. Become a Friend to receive advance notice of the programme and priority booking.

Become a Friend and enjoy priority ticket booking

Become a Friend of Lennoxlove Book Festival and you will receive a range of benefits that draw you into the heart of this distinctive literary event:

• be the first to receive the events programme
• exclusive opportunity to book tickets in advance of the launch of the 2011 Festival to the general public (15th September 2011)
• receive an invitation to the Opening Party of the 2011 Festival, and other Friends events that may be arranged
• enjoy a special 10% discount on all books bought from Lennoxlove Book Festival bookshop
• receive our email newsletter which keeps you posted on developments and other special offers throughout the year

10% off bookshop prices

The Friends scheme is an annual subscription, which you can join for as little as £12 (single) or £18 per couple (Joint). It makes a great gift for friends or family.

To join please download the membership form from our website, fill it in and return it to us at the address provided. We will then send you a 2011 membership card.

By becoming a Friend of Lennoxlove Book Festival, you help us continue to bring some of the very best writers and performers to the heart of East Lothian. 

Lennoxlove House - a literary love story

Lennoxlove House on the outskirts of Haddington is the exquisite venue which has become synonymous with the annual Lennoxlove Book Festival. Dating back to the fourteenth century and owned by the 16th Duke of Hamilton, the house is steeped in history and offers a truly atmospheric backdrop for our unique Scottish book festival. No wonder then that the UK’s finest authors and celebrities take little persuasion to attend.

Originally a sturdy keep owned by the Maitlands of Lethington, whose coat of arms can still be found above the fireplace in the drawing room, the story of Lennoxlove House is intimately entwined with many of the central characters from Scotland’s turbulent history. To name but a few, Sir Richard Maitland, a 15th century political mover and shaker, the notorious Duke of Lauderdale who ruled most of Scotland on behalf of Charles II, the Stewarts– Frances Teresa Stewart, Duchess of Richmond and Lennox, gave her name to the house – the Black Douglases, and of course the Hamiltons. Over seven centuries the house has been shaped and crafted by its cast of historical forebears.

Lennoxlove House

Bought by the 14th Duke of Hamilton in 1946, Lennoxlove House today, has been lovingly restored into an impressive house with extensive grounds, which is offered as an indulgent five star venue for a variety of events. Lennoxlove houses a treasure trove of historical artefacts including a four-poster bed reputedly slept in by Mary Queen of Scots, her original death mask, and an extensive collection of family furniture and portraits.

On 4-6 November 2011 the local community and visitors from further afield are invited to enjoy the atmosphere and history of this great house and gardens. Several of our author events including the Knight Frank Family Book Festival will be held within rooms such as The Chapel, and Great Hall whilst the larger events will take place in marquees in the grounds.

The Great Hall

Become a Friend of Lennoxlove Book Festival and along with other benefits you’ll be invited to the exclusive festival opening party in the upper rooms where you may just bump into a famous author or two! Or enjoy a coffee and a bookshop browse in one of the magnificent reception halls. A warm welcome awaits you!

Lennoxlove Book Festival programme and box office opening will be launched on 15th September. To find out more visit http://www.lennoxlovebookfestival.com/ or join our chat on Facebook and Twitter.

Guided tours of Lennoxlove House run between May-September. More information at www.lennoxlove.com/the-house/guided-tours.

Lennoxlove Book Festival gears up for 2011 programme launch

On the weekend of 4-6 November 2011, Lennoxlove House in Haddington, East Lothian will once again throw open its doors to welcome visitors to the third Lennoxlove Book Festival.

Over the last few months, preparations have been gathering apace at the festival office. A distinguished cast of writers, celebrities and big personalities have been invited to share their anecdotes and literary journey with this year’s audience, ensuring a packed programme of events for both adults and children.

If last year’s Lennoxlove Book Festival is anything to go by, 2011 is guaranteed to be a big success. From the moment when the great Mary King appeared at 6pm on the first night to talk about her immense career as Britain's greatest event rider, to Tom Conti’s hilarious and touching memories of a career in film, stage and TV, the 2010 festival crackled with delight.

Lennoxlove House

After telling the amazing story of heroics at the siege of Kohima in India in 1944, Fergal Keane made everyone laugh when he told the audience he would be taking a collection at the door to help bail out the Irish economy.

Simon King and Julia Donaldson enraptured audiences of parents and children at the Family Book Festival, while Alastair Campbell unexpectedly charmed and disarmed many. In the Great Hall’s atmospheric surroundings, authors such as Maggie O’Farrell, Josceline Dimbleby and Mary Contini entertained and informed. And on the Sunday night, Philip Contini’s Be Happy Band brought the festival to a happy conclusion.

A spellbound audience

Programme launch

The 2011 Lennoxlove Book Festival programme and box office opening will launch on Thursday 15th September. Ensure you’re the first to hear all about this year’s events - add yourself to our mailing list by sending your email address to info@lennoxlovebookfestival.com.

Or become a Friend

Become a Friend of Lennoxlove Book Festival to enjoy advance programme mailing, and priority booking of tickets. You will also receive an invitation to our Festival launch party and 10% discount on all titles in the Festival Bookshop. Email info@lennoxlovebookfestival.com for details.

Lennoxlove Book Festival will take place in Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, 4-6 November 2011. Now entering its third year, it has quickly become a favourite on the Scottish festival calendar. This year's event is kindly sponsored by McInroy & Wood and Knight Frank (Family Book Festival).