Kirkcudbright Library invites the local nursery and primary school children to attend talks with authors for World Book Day. Visitors are welcome too, please contact the library on 01557 332516 if you are interested in joining the free events.

10.00am - Jayne Baldwin - free event

2.00pm - Alan McClure - free event - Poet, Musician and Children's Author Alan McClure will look at how nature and landscape can provide inspiration for tales and songs. With readings from his Kelpies-Prize shortlisted novel Callum and the Mountain, and its sequel, Callum and the Other.

2.30pm: The Story of a Fairy Family: A Portable Archive

Venue: Mezzanine, Kirkcudbright Galleries, 3B St Mary St, Kirkcudbright DG6 4AA

DJ McDowall and Peter Hewitt explore the creative and queer world of Dorothy Johnstone, Vera (Jack) Holme, Cecile Walton and Anne Finlay in Jessie M King’s Greengate Close. The creation of a new publication weaves letters, diaries photos and artworks with the fairylore and enchanting places that shaped their lives as chosen family in Kirkcudbright.

DJ McDowall is a professional community development practitioner with nearly thirty years of experience with expertise in grassroots impactful creative, heritage and youth engagement. She was the lead curator of the recent Fairy Family exhibition at Kirkcudbright Galleries.

4.30pm: Upland: Exploring Mountains, Hills and Time

Venue: Council Chambers, Kirkcudbright Library, Daar Road, Kirkcudbright DG6 4JG

Journey through Britain’s high places with Ian Crofton in a celebration of mountains and those who defined them. From ancient workers to modern wanderers, Upland blends history, nature and personal discovery – revealing landscapes full of life and memories. This event reflects on our enduring connection to upland worlds and our place.

Ian Crofton‘s books exploring the interplay of landscape, nature and history include Walking the Border: A Journey between Scotland and England, rated by both The Guardian and Trail magazine as ‘excellent’. His Fringed with Mud and Pearls: An English Island Odyssey was described by the BBC’s Countryfile as ‘really engaging’, and by Coast magazine as ‘a fascinating study about what it means to exist on the fringes’. Upland: A Journey Through Time and the Hills was published in May 2025.

7.30pm: Leadership: From Michael Heseltine to Nigel Farage and Beyond

Venue: Broughton House, 12 High St, Kirkcudbright DG6 4JX

Politicians and political leaders have never been held in lower esteem than now. What does it take to be a successful political leader? Michael Crick’s biographies include Michael Heseltine, Jeffrey Archer and most recently Nigel Farage. Is it possible to rebuild trust in politicians and democracy, and what does the future of leadership entail?

Michael Crick spent almost 40 years in television, as a political reporter with Channel 4 News, Newsnight and Panorama.  He won four RTS awards and was twice RTS specialist reporter of the year.  He also won the Charles Wheeler award for outstanding broadcast journalism. He has written biographies of Arthur Scargill, Michael Heseltine, Alex Ferguson and Nigel Farage, and will soon publish a short book on Edward Heath.