Tidelines are thrilled to welcome James Crawford, presenter of acclaimed BBC One documentary Scotland from the Sky, to this year’s festival. In his latest book ‘Wild History’, James presents a unique exploration of off-the-beaten-track sites across the length and breadth of Scotland.
Elaine C Smith is one of Scotland’s best-known performers. Join her in conversation with her friend and ours, Tidelines Patron Andrew O’Hagan, as she charts her life through the books she has loved.
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.
Join us for the festival’s opening event in the company of one of Scotland’s most successful and best loved broadcasters. My Life in Sport tells his story with humour and insight, and with the true smooth Donnelly style and voice we know and love.
‘In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.’ ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ themed interactive storytelling session, with singing & sensory play. Two sessions: 10 to 10:40 am (babies) and 11 to 11:40 am (crawlers & movers under 2).
An engaging and hands-on writing workshop with poet Simon Lamb, using Irvine's Maritime Museum as creative inspiration.
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.
An entertaining celebration of the Gaelic language, in the company of poets Niall O’Gallagher and Catrìona Ross, with music from North Ayrshire’s very own Largs Gaelic Choir.
‘We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going to catch a big one...’ ‘We're Going on a Bear Hunt’ themed interactive storytelling session, with drama, music & games. Two sessions: 10 am to 11 am (2–3 year olds) and 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (4–6 year olds).
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.
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’.
