Bloody Scotland crime writing festival sees spike in popularity as novelist Chris Brookmyre takes top award

dailyrecord.co.uk:

International crime writing festival Bloody Scotland achieved record attendance levels in 2024 as the event continues to grow in popularity.

The event - which features the best literary talent in the country - is held in Stirling every year.It closed this year with a 30 per cent increase on its pre-Covid attendance figures.

Audience numbers for this year’s event, the 12 th Bloody Scotland, are expected to weigh in at 13,000 over the weekend of 13-15 September, a significant increase on the best pre-Covid figure of 10,000.

Bloody Scotland, established in Stirling in 2012, also reached 25 countries across the world through its digital service, with Waterstone’s reporting a 41 per cent increase in on the ground book sales at venues including the Stirling Albert Halls.Highlights of Bloody Scotland this year included the presentation of the McIlvanney Prize to Chris Brookmyre for his novel, ‘The Cracked Mirror’, as well as a procession by the Stirling and Schools District Pipe Band, accompanied by Provost Elaine Watterson, through the heart of the city on Friday, September 13.Stirling Council leader Margaret Brisley, said: “Bloody Scotland continues to go from strength to strength and local residents and visitors from all over the UK and the rest of the world created a wonderful atmosphere in our streets and venues over the weekend. “It was a real highlight of our 900th anniversary celebrations.