Following the resounding success of its inaugural year, the St Andrew’s Book Festival will return to London from 27–30 November 2025 with a dynamic and expanded programme, shining a spotlight on the very best of Scottish literature and culture. Presented by Scots in London in association with The Scotsman, the festival will once again take place in some of the capital’s most prestigious Scottish venues, including Scotland House, St Columba’s Church of Scotland, and the Caledonian Club.
Tickets are now on sale for the first wave of headline events, offering audiences the chance to engage with an exceptional line-up of celebrated authors, broadcasters and cultural figures.
Highlights include:
Val McDermid, the queen of Scottish crime fiction, in conversation with Nicola Sturgeon about Silent Bones, the latest gripping instalment in her acclaimed Karen Pirie series, adapted for ITV.
Broadcaster and novelist Sally Magnusson hosting a literary lunch to celebrate her new novel The Shapeshifter’s Daughter, interviewed by BBC medical editor Hugh Pym.
Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting, and John Niven, author of The Second Coming, appearing together for a live recording of their podcast A Kick Up the Arts, where they will discuss their latest novels, Men in Love and Fatherhood, with writer and broadcaster Nicola Meighan.
Nicola Sturgeon returning to the stage to discuss her candid autobiography Frankly with Labour peer Ayesha Hazarika.
The programme also celebrates Scotland’s rich sporting heritage, with rugby writers Peter Burns and Rob Robertson marking a century of iconic Murrayfield matches, joined by former Scotland international Rory Lawson. Scottish sports broadcasting great Dougie Donnelly and former professional footballer Pat Nevin will explore the broader Scottish sporting landscape.
The festival coincides with St Andrew’s Day and seeks to honour Scotland’s literary and cultural contributions in London – the city with the UK’s third-largest Scottish population after Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Susan Pym, Events Director of St Andrew’s Book Festival, said:
“We’re thrilled to be bringing the St Andrew’s Book Festival back to central London for its second year, showcasing the very best of Scottish writing and storytelling. From internationally acclaimed voices like Val McDermid, Nicola Sturgeon, Irvine Welsh and Sally Magnusson to the exciting debut authors who are shaping the future of Scottish literature, our programme celebrates both heritage and fresh talent.”
The festival’s debut in 2024 drew strong praise from its participants. Author Sir Ian Rankin remarked:
“Scotland is always punching above its weight in terms of writing… my message with this festival, as with other literary festivals, is to keep going – because the world needs writers, and the world needs great books.”
The full 2025 programme will be unveiled later this summer, but organisers are promising an inspiring, thought-provoking and thoroughly Scottish celebration in the heart of London.
