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Thursday, October 15, 2015

Coup for Book Week Scotland as Outlander Author to Speak at Stirling Castle

OCTOBER 2015 - 12:30 AM KIRSTEEN PATERSON

HER time-travel romance series has sold more than 26 million copies worldwide and the TV adaptation has taken countless viewers to 18th century Scotland.

Now best-selling author Diana Gabaldon will appear at one of the country’s most historic locations to discuss her Outlander series as part of Book Week Scotland.

The US author will address around 300 fans in Stirling Castle’s Great Hall on November 23 as she appears in conversation with fellow historical novelist Neil Oliver.

The event opens a string of events across the country featuring authors including Kate Mosse, Scarlett Thomas and Michael Faber.

The programme is organised by the Scottish Book Trust and Philippa Cochrane, head of reader development, expects high demand for tickets to see Gabaldon.

She said: “We are really, really excited that Diana Gabaldon is going to come and support Book Week Scotland. We’re looking to have a really high-profile range of events happening this year and this is the icing on the cake.

“Her books are incredibly popular, with Outlander obviously becoming a TV series. She has a devoted group of fans who will be excited to meet her in person. The Outlander books have been great for Scottish tourism and heritage sites and it’s a real pleasure to host the event at Stirling Castle.”

Earlier this year Outlander was credited with boosting visitor numbers to Doune Castle, near Stirling, by 30 per cent in one year. The site features in the US TV adaptation of Outlander as the fictional Castle Leoch.

Gabaldon, a scientist who previously wrote cartoon scripts for Disney, is currently working on the ninth volume in the romance series, which features an English nurse who accidentally travels back in time while visiting post-Second World War Scotland. Arriving in the 1700s, she struggles to return to her husband Frank while falling in love with kilted hero Jamie Fraser.

Published in 26 countries and 23 languages, the stories have spawned a spin-off series, graphic novel and an adult colouring book will be released later this month.

Cochrane said: “The Outlander series has added to the awareness of Scotland as a country that has a lot to do with books and loves reading. We are hugely excited.”

AL Kennedy and Val McDermid will also appear during Book Week Scotland, which centres around the theme of transformation.

Many events take place in libraries and schools, while actor Brian Blessed will appear in conversation at Glasgow Film Theatre ahead of a screening of sci-fi classic Flash Gordon.

Michael Faber will introduce the film version of his hit novel Under the Skin at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh, while Edinburgh Trams patrons will be given a free book with their tickets for one hour on November 27.

Celebrities including Alan Cumming will reveal their literary inspirations as part of the #ThankBooks campaign, while employers will be encouraged to transform a corner of their workspaces into a dedicated reading area for staff as part of the Reading Spaces project.

Scottish Book Trust chief executive Marc Lambert said: “The huge personal benefits in health and wellbeing that flow from spending just a short time each day lost within a book are now widely documented and understood.

“But it seems that people still remain to be convinced. This year we are challenging Scots from all walks of life to try this miracle cure out for themselves – and to share their stories and results with us in a celebration of all the things books and reading can do.

“This challenge sits at the centre of Book Week Scotland, but the full programme is many and varied.

“We will be working in parallel with Scottish Adult Learners Week to further explore and celebrate books’ capacity to effect real, long-lasting change in people’s lives. This exciting association will include an award recognising learners’ achievements in reading.

“The message is, whoever and wherever you are, Book Week Scotland is for you.”

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop added: “More than two thirds of Scots read for pleasure and we are committed to encouraging more Scots from all backgrounds and of all ages to read more. Book Week Scotland offers that opportunity to make that commitment to reading and it has something for everyone.”

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND