A cast of actors, writers, politicians and experts will be the stars of Scotland's literary festival dedicated to biography and memoir.
The Boswell Book Festival, which takes place from May 12-14 at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, now in its seventh year, is to reveal a bigger programme than before.
Its programme includes actors Nigel Havers and Alex Norton, Vogue's editor in chief Alexandra Shulman, Richard Ingrams, Alan Johnson MP and Kirsty Wark among its guests.
The festival, based at Ayrshire’s Dumfries House, is inspired by the example Ayrshireman James Boswell, father of modern biography with his Life of Dr Johnson, which has never been out of print since its publication in 1791.
This year there are more events and six more venues, with a new marquee and the Great Steward’s Dining Room at the historic venue.
Other writers at the festival, for which The Herald is a media partner, include Philippe Sands, author of East West Street, on the origins of genocide and crimes against humanity, while George Dunne, 94, and Dave Fellows, 92, two veterans of Bomber Command, will tell of flying deep into enemy territory over Nazi occupied Europe.
Bella Bathurst, best selling author of The Lighthouse Stevensons, will explore deafness in her new book Sound and tells of her own hearing, lost and found.
Caroline Knox, the festival director, said: "You don’t have to just love books to love this festival.
"The range of life stories that populate the programme is incredible from actors, bakers, plant hunters, lovers and adventurers, to war heroes, judges, poets, painters, financiers and Tsars.
"And that’s not to mention our Children’s Festival, which has a thrilling programme of interactive events and appearances by leading children’s writers and illustrators."
She added: "Thanks to our main sponsor Creative Scotland, this is our biggest ever festival spread over six venues at beautiful Dumfries House including a newly added marquee and the Great Stewart’s Dining Room.
"The rich choice on offer reflects our pride at being the world’s only festival of biography and memoir inspired by the father of modern biography and proud Ayrshireman, James Boswell."
This year’s Children’s Festival will be launched by bestselling author and illustrator Nick Sharratt on Saturday 13 May.
He is joined by authors Nicola Davies formerly presenter of BBC’s The Really Wild Show, Scottish writers Vivian French and Debi Gliori, world circumnavigator, Jason Lewis, the award winning duo, Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom. together with New Orleans’ based illustrator-in-residence Harriet Burbeck.
Sasha de Buyl, literature officer at Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland is delighted to be able to fund Boswell Book Festival’s 2017 programme.
"Boswell’s focus on biography, on a multitude of lives lived and experiences gained, has produced a festival that appeals to more than the traditional festival audience.
"Anyone can attend Boswell Book Festival, having never read the work of the authors appearing, and come away engaged, inspired and entertained."
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