Stirling praise for ‘Festival of Friendship’ following Bloody Scotland success

Bloody Scotland – the international crime writing festival hosted in Stirling – achieved record attendance levels in 2024 as the event continues to grow in popularity.

Two teenage pipers stand either side of a man and a woman - the woman wears the chains of office of the Provost and the man holds a crystal trophy vase
Provost Elaine Watterson, McIlvanney winner Chris Brookmyre and members of the Stirling and District Schools Pipe Band enjoyed Bloody Scotland 2024, which welcomed record attendance numbers.

Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Brisley, has praised the ‘Festival of Friendship’ – a cornerstone in Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations - after it closed this year with a 30% increase on its pre-Covid attendance figures.

Audience numbers for this year’s event, the 12th 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% 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 13th.

Cllr 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. Bloody Scotland has become a real Festival of Friendship, with authors and crime fiction fans coming together in our bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels to enjoy a much-loved writing genre in such welcoming surroundings.

“The festival brings such cultural and economic benefits. The parade to the Albert Halls on Friday night, led by the Stirling and Schools District Pipe Band, also highlighted the buzz it brings to our city. On the back of the Summer Sessions, Bloody Scotland again underlined Stirling’s success in organising these much-loved major events.

“On behalf of the people of Stirling, I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in organising this amazing showcase of crime writing talent - and also congratulate all the prize winners over the weekend for the contribution they have made to Scottish literature."

An aerial shot looking down from inside a theatre to a packed auditorium of people seated below.
Venues such as the Albert Halls welcomed sell out crowds to listen and engage with authors including Ann Cleeves.

Bloody Scotland also featured appearances by authors and broadcasters including Irvine Welsh, Richard Armitage, Peter James, Peter May, Louise Minchin and Frank Gardner.

Sold out events included the Gala Opening at The Golden Lion Hotel and Ann Cleeves at the Albert Halls, as well as the Debut Prize Panel and Pitch Perfect – and even karaoke at the Curly Coo. The winner of the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize was Allan Gaw with ‘The Silent House of Sleep’ and Pitch Perfect – which this year had a prize of £1000 in memory of journalist Rae Stewart – was won by Alys Cummings with ‘The Answer Is Murder’.

Loose Ends, BBC Radio 4, presented by Clive Anderson, travelled to Stirling to record in front of a live audience at the Festival with Chris Brookmyre, Marisa Haetzman (aka Ambrose Parry) and Richard Armitage alongside musical guests.

Bob McDevitt, Festival Director said: “The Bloody Scotland weekend was a kaleidoscopic whirlwind; from the emotional announcement of the prize-winners, to the noise of the pipe band procession, the insight and entertainment of the panels to the noise of the karaoke.

“We were once again blessed with the most fantastic authors from the famous faces and household names to our nervous spotlighters and unpublished pitchers, from our debuts and first-time visitors to festival favourites and fixtures, who, along with our amazing audiences and volunteers, were united in the common goal of enjoying each other's company in our annual celebration of crime writing in all its glory.”

A group of young bagpipers lead a procession up a cobble city street
The Stirling and Schools District Pipe Band led a procession up King Street to the Albert Halls to mark the start of Bloody Scotland on Friday the 13th.

Alan Bett, Head of Literature and Publishing at Creative Scotland said: “Bloody Scotland has this year continued to draw a strong audience of crime fans and book lovers, serving this large and loyal readership.

“It has once more connected them to their favourite authors, but at the same time introduced them to new names, such as debut writers and even those currently unpublished. Together, this builds and maintains a community of crime fiction enthusiasts, all in the scenic setting of Stirling.”