Come and enjoy a historic walk along the harbourside with the Irvine Lasses. Learn about Irvine’s rich cultural heritage and the literary connections to this unique part of Irvine, including the history of the Harbour Arts Centre itself.
A visit to Wellwood is a must for anyone interested in writing and publishing, or the history of Robert Burns in Irvine. The tour includes a unique presentation on Burns in Irvine, and a chance to see the Templeton Bookshop chair, where Burns once sat and dreamt of becoming a poet. The tour includes access to the exhibition.
At this event, Jim Phillips discusses his new book on the 1984–85 Miners’ strike and its injustices, using thirty oral history testimonies from strike veterans and family members.
Victoria MacKenzie joins us at Tidelines to read from her award-winning novel For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain. This beautiful novel explores the real lives of two medieval mystics, Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe, who wrote the earliest known books in English by women.
Jyne Gawston boay Billy Kay for the Irvine launch o his book, whaur he describes the wey o life in the Irvine Valley when he wis a wean growin up there in the 1950s an 1960s.
A unique event exploring our obsession with the darkest of human nature. Featuring former Murder Detective David Swindle and crime writer Lin Anderson.
In this workshop, novelist and writer Steven Veerapen will invite attendees to pick their favourite historical periods and then work on building the key elements of historical fiction: setting, character, narrative perspective, dialogue, plot, and structure.
Come and enjoy a historic walk along the harbourside with the Irvine Lasses. Learn about Irvine’s rich cultural heritage and the literary connections to this unique part of Irvine, including the history of the Harbour Arts Centre itself.
Join storyteller Graeme Johncock as he transports you the length and breadth of Scotland with some of the tales from Scotland’s Stories. Perfect for all who love legends, folklore or history to sit back, listen and explore.
A visit to Wellwood is a must for anyone interested in writing and publishing, or the history of Robert Burns in Irvine. The tour includes a unique presentation on Burns in Irvine, and a chance to see the Templeton Bookshop chair, where Burns once sat and dreamt of becoming a poet. The tour includes access to the exhibition.
This special exhibition includes letters from Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, along with more recent letters from Seamus Heaney, Ian Rankin, and Tidelines patron Andrew O’Hagan.
We are thrilled to welcome food writer and 2022 MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin to Tidelines with her debut cookbook Kith – a celebration of Scottish flavours and seasonality.
Get ready to go on a journey around the world in idioms, proverbs, and general nonsense! Drawing on his book, The Wheel is Spinning but the Hamster is Dead, Adam will present fascinating, ridiculous and hilarious translations from every corner of the globe.
For this year’s closing event, Tidelines brings together two stars of Scotland’s new generation of writers. Both hailing from Airdrie, Graeme Armstrong and Len Pennie have reinvigorated the Scots language for the 21st century. This conversation will shine a fascinating spotlight on what it means to grow up in Scotland today.
Join us for our very special opening event marking the publication day of Mat o’Shanter, poet Simon Lamb’s stunning reimagining of Robert Burns’s ‘Tam o’ Shanter’. In conversation with Vivian French.
Join our ‘Dear Zoo’ themed interactive storytelling session, bringing the words alive through song & creative play. Develop and inspire a love of books!
Come and enjoy a historic walk along the harbourside with the Irvine Lasses. Learn about Irvine’s rich cultural heritage and the literary connections to this unique part of Irvine, including the history of the Harbour Arts Centre itself.
Join Natalie Jayne Clark and Martin Stewart for an evening of crime and whisky! The authors will explore the compelling power of Scotch – and the extreme lengths to which their characters will go for the ‘water of life’.
Join author Alan Dapré as he shares his pawsome picture book, My Dog Max. It’s an upbeat tail-wagging tale of a girl whose biggest wish is to find a funny, furry friend of her own. A hilarious story of hope, home and happiness!
For Carina Contini, food is a way of life. Her family’s Italian-Scottish heritage has enriched the recipes on the menu at Contini, Edinburgh. Join Carina to discuss her cookbook, which features 100 iconic dishes.
Orwell prize-winning author and hip-hop artist Darren McGarvey examines the stories we tell ourselves about our wounds.
Create your own story about the natural world with this family-friendly ‘make-your-own-book’ session. Celebrate all things land, sky and sea, from the spectacular neighbouring habitats of the Bogside Flats SSSI to local beaches, woodlands and landscapes far beyond!
Human rights lawyer Claire Mitchell and novelist Zoe Venditozzi talk about their fascinating book, How to Kill A Witch: A Guide for the Patriarchy, which exposes a dark side of Scottish history.
Nicola Sturgeon brings her debut book Frankly to her hometown of Irvine, where it all started. In this deeply personal memoir, she recounts her journey from working-class Ayrshire to the steps of Bute House.
Join us for a guided dip in the sea at Irvine Beach – then it’s back to the HAC for luxury hot chocolate. Hear how local swimmer Chantal Feely used cold water and the art of journalling to combat grief. Culminate the experience by creating a personalised journal cover with talented artist, Lynn McNally.
Come and enjoy a historic walk along the harbourside with the Irvine Lasses. Learn about Irvine’s rich cultural heritage and the literary connections to this unique part of Irvine, including the history of the Harbour Arts Centre itself.
For nearly a year, Claudia set off to travel the world, not knowing she’d end up walking 1,500 miles through the Caucasus, India, Nepal, Europe and Scotland. Walk Like A Girl is a story about resilience and courage.
The first shelf in our Gaelic bookcase will celebrate favourite stories, poems and songs. Gaelic speakers of all ages will captivate listeners with the melodic rhythm and distinct sounds of our heritage language.
Join Alastair MacDonald Jackson for a journey around Scotland’s west coast islands as he presents images from his book Scottish West Coast Isles In Photographs.
‘Coorie doon’ wi’ acclaimed Scottish writer Jackie Kay in conversation wi’ Ayrshire Poet, Tracy Anne Harvey. You are promised an evening o’ warmth, humour, Scots Tongue and human endearment!
