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

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 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).