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Scotland's book town festival bursts into life

Colin Hattersley A group of people outside the box office in Wigtown including a boy with books in a wheelbarrow, a piper, a man dressed as a Roman soldier, a chef and a fluffy mascot.Colin Hattersley
A wide range of events is promised at Wigtown Book Festival this year

The 26th edition of the Wigtown Book Festival is starting in south west Scotland.

Among the highlights at Scotland's national book town this year are actor Alan Cumming, performance poet Pam Ayres and novelist Irvine Welsh.

The festival runs until 6 October and includes more than 250 events along the way.

Artistic director Adrian Turpin said he hoped the it would be a "celebration of curiosity and a forum for discussion and debate".

Up to 8,000 visitors are expected across the 10-day celebration of all things literary.

Among the speakers this year will be Dr Fraser Hunter principal curator of prehistoric and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland.

He said he wanted to "address some of the myths" about the Roman presence north of the border.

"We often think of their world stopping at Hadrian’s Wall – it didn’t, Scotland was in or on the edge of the Roman world," he said.

"They invaded three times, coming twice into Galloway.

“We also often have a bit of an Asterix view of the Romans, poor Italians shivering in the cold and facing fierce, indomitable tribesmen."

Others coming to the festival this year include the Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod, Scotland’s national chef Gary MacLean and former BBC Moscow correspondent Martin Sixsmith.

There will also be appearances from MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin and actor James Cosmo.