The festival closed its 14th edition with a huge thanks to its first guest programmer, Sir Ian Rankin. Not only did Ian invite a star guest list to the festival, he tirelessly volunteered to interview them too and was on stage for a total of six events. Audiences responded to his eclectic choices and in person ticket sales were the highest recorded in the Festival’s history.
The festival started earlier on Friday this year and ran until Sunday afternoon, with over 150 authors visiting Stirling over the weekend, which according to data collected by Go Forth Stirling increased footfall to the historic city by 20,788 from the previous week.
Waterstones reported that book sales, already up by a staggering 41% last year increased by a further 29% this year. Some of the bestsellers were Mick Herron, J D Kirk & L J Ross, Jo Nesbo and Kate Atkinson, Kathy Reichs and the Reverend Richard Coles (all guests of Sir Ian Rankin).
However, it is the smaller events at more intimate venues like Trinity Church and Central Library showcasing the up and coming authors which are at the heart of the festival. This year Dark Islands featuring Scottish author Morag Pringle and two debut authors Ronnie Turner and Chris Barkley was one of the sell outs, as was the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize Panel.
The digital component increased the festival’s international reach, while the buzz on the ground included BBC Radio Scotland’s Nicola Meighan broadcasting live from the green room with her Kick Up the Arts podcast and Susie Green, host of In My Good Books podcast, recording an excellent overview of the festival: https://open.spotify.com/show/0PFPUtW7wcI36rDkGaHSq1
Collaboration is a key aspect of the festival. In addition to an ongoing relationship with The Glencairn Glass (sponsors of both our prizes), Bloody Scotland partnered with Lumo to celebrate the imminent new route between London and Stirling by sending three of Bloody Scotland’s crime writers on a trip to London and back the day before while writing a new collaborative story, signing books and engaging new audiences en route.
The festival encourages local engagement. On the opening night a new ‘Day of the Deid’ procession led by Stirling and Schools District Pipe Band and actors from local theatre group, Rubber Chicken Theatre Company, carried an effigy of guest programmer, Sir Ian Rankin to his event at The Albert Halls.
Ian himself walked at the front of the procession with the Lord Provost Elaine Watterson and Council Leader Gerry McGarvey accompanied by the winners of the McIlvanney Prize and Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, Tariq Ashkanani and David Goodman.
Stirling Central Library is the focus for supporting up and coming writers with the Debut Prize panel on the Friday and Pitch Perfect and a Poacher turned Gamekeeper panel which this year featured E C Nevin discussing her new book, A Novel Murder, set appropriately at a crime fiction festival.
The winner of Pitch Perfect – which for the second year had a prize of £1,000, in memory of journalist Rae Stewart - was won by Edinburgh based author, Marco Rinaldi with Dark Waters. The festival drew to an end with the entire team on stage at The Albert Halls presenting Sir Ian Rankin with an engraved bottle of his favourite whisky to thank him for his outstanding work as guest programmer.
Stirling Council’s venues team managed box office and ticket sales for all events, while the historic Albert Halls was again the home of the festival and the team welcomed over 7,000 ticket holders through its doors over the 3 days.
Proud
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey said: "Bloody Scotland 2025 was another wonderful celebration of the best crime writing talent around. Authors and visitors from around the world mingled with residents in Stirling’s venues, bars and restaurants to create a fantastic atmosphere across the city, not only boosting the local economy but also enriching our cultural life.
"The colourful ‘Day of the Deid’ parade on the Friday evening, led superbly by the Stirling and Schools District Pipe Band, was an enjoyable new addition to the programme and added to the buzz in the city.
"Stirling is proud to host this world-class international festival that continues to grow in popularity and prestige year on year, which is testament to the hard work of all those involved. My congratulations to all the prize winners and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again for Bloody Scotland 2026 and to our other cultural events and festivals."
Positive and upbeat atmosphere
Bob McDevitt, Festival Director said: "As I walked around the streets of Stirling to attend our events this year, I was struck by the incredibly positive and upbeat atmosphere.
"From buzzing authors who’d just been on a panel, to our eternally smiley volunteers and from publishers enjoying a cheeky day out of the office to our army of enthusiastic readers, the whole city felt infused with the Bloody Scotland spirit (and I’m not talking about our exclusive whisky bottling!). It’s great to see that so many are looking forward to next year already."
Celebration
Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland said: "Bloody Scotland set the stage in Stirling for a celebration of Scotland’s finest crime writing, thanks to support from The National Lottery.
"The debut prize shortlist showcased a thrillingly diverse array of murder mysteries - from prison corridors to distillery floors - and across contemporary and historical settings. This, alongside pitching opportunities and spotlight slots, underscores a deep commitment to nurturing talent.
"That commitment is paying off: former debut winner Tariq Ashkanani clinched the 2025 MacIlvanney Prize, from a shortlist featuring some of Scotland’s best known crime authors.’
Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival is supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. Next year it will run from Friday 18 – Sunday 20 September 2026.