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August 2023

A Feast on Scotland Street- Alexander McCall Smith at Berwick Literary Festival (UK)

Date: 15 October 2023
Venue: The Maltings, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Time: 2.00pm

We welcome the return of Alexander McCall Smith, one of the world’s most prolific and popular authors, whose The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency alone has sold 25 million copies in English and been translated into 46 languages. This year we will gain an insight into The Stellar Debut of Galactica McFee, the 17th volume […]

Alexander McCall Smith celebrates – 75 years young

Date Published: 24th August 2023

Congratulations to Alexander McCall Smith who turns a very youthful 75 today. We wish him a wonderful day visiting Cafe Canna, a fabulous restaurant on the remote Hebridean island of Canna. May the sun shine on you Sandy. Alexander has had an incredibly busy week in the run up to this birthday. He was on […]

Alexander McCall Smith at Daunt’s, Marylebone

Date: 21 September 2023
Venue: Daunt Books, Marylebone
Time: 7.00pm

We are delighted to announce that Alexander McCall Smith will be joining us again this year for another evening of entertainment, readings from his latest books and poetry with his inimical wit and exuberance. Always a night to enjoy and remember – we look forward to seeing you here soon! It will be an extra special night […]

Alexander McCall Smith in Clevedon with Books on the Hill

Date: 9 October 2023
Venue: Curzon Cinema, Clevedon
Time: 7.30pm

An evening with Alexander is an event of pure delight. Join the world-famous author and raconteur as he discusses 25 years of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, the latest happenings in the world’s longest running serial novel- 44 Scotland Street, and his new poetry collection, I Think of You. Hosted by Books on the […]

A letter for August

Alexander reflects on 25 years of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

Alexander celebrates the healing power of gardens at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital Summer Fling

Date Published:

Last week Alexander McCall Smith returned to Cyrenians Community Hospital Garden at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital to treat patients and volunteers to a special book reading. He read a new poem written especially for the occasion and gifted books to hospital patients and staff as part of the mental health hospital’s Summer Fling. Following this […]

25 Years of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency- Alexander McCall Smith at Wimbledon Book Festival

Date: 14 October 2023
Venue: Baillie Gifford Auditorium (Wimbledon High School)
Time: 6.30pm

Alexander McCall Smith’s much loved character Precious Ramotswe first came to life on the pages of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency 25 years ago. Join us as we celebrate this global success. Alexander gives us insights into his writing career and a glimpse of the many series that have been published in the intervening years, including 44 Scotland […]

Tea Time at 44 Scotland Street- Alexander McCall Smith at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Date: 10 October 2023
Venue: Daffodil Restaurant, Cheltenham
Time: 4.00pm

The residents of 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh come to life in Alexander McCall Smith’s gently satirical, wonderfully perceptive serial novels. Anna Marshall has ransacked their pages (and cupboards) for her cookbook, so you can eat like your favourite characters. Join them for afternoon tea with a twist as they tell Frankie Burr about the latest instalment, The Stellar Debut of […]

A Story for August: ‘The Sun on Princes Street’ from I Think of You

The Sun on Princes Street On Saturday we stopped and gazed On Princes Street, on Princes Street, As unexpected came the sun And kissed the stone of Princes Street, And up above us, all the flags Fluttered brave on Princes Street, In semaphore they made the claim Of freedom there on Princes Street. And somewhere, […]