THREE VERY SPECIAL DAYS IN A NATIONAL YEAR OF READING
The Boswell Book Festival will return this spring! Across the weekend of May 8-10, our festival will present a rich tapestry of real-life stories through the mediums of memoir and biography, along with expert explorations of art, history, music, sport, food, and just about everything else that makes life worth living.
The National Year of Reading
Speaking of the things that inspire us and spark our interest, did you know that 2026 has been declared the National Year of Reading? This campaign, initiated by the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, asks us all to delve deeper into our existing passions, whether they be literary or otherwise, by stepping away from our devices and picking up more books.
We could not think of a more Boswellian resolution, and we hope you feel equally inspired to join us for a richly stimulating and fun-packed weekend this May.
About the Boswell Book Festival
The world’s only festival of biography and memoir, normally set in the spectacular grounds of Dumfries House, draws an enthusiastic audience attracted by its unique theme.
Inspired by the great Ayrshire biographer James Boswell of Auchinleck, at the heart of the Festival is a programme of stories taken from the inspirational lives of people past and present - told through talks, drama, art and music.
Children's Festival
Why is it so important to children to tell our stories?
Stories connect the past and present to the future and learning these stories is what can awaken future generations to their potential.
Through the Festival, the Boswell Trust engages with primary and secondary schools across Ayrshire and beyond.
If you wish to support the festival going forwards, please use the donate button.
Donate
![Sponsor Logo [object Object]](https://images.prismic.io/boswell-book-festival/ZfGAMUmNsf2sHikd_TKCF_LOGOS_PRIMARYPOSITIVE.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C0%2C10267%2C7000&w=352&h=240&fit=max&fm=webp)
![Sponsor Logo [object Object]](https://images.prismic.io/boswell-book-festival/c815aa23-36be-40d4-bb53-6e1b278ccffc_Creative-Scotland.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=0%2C0%2C352%2C240&w=352&h=240&fit=max&fm=webp)
![Sponsor Logo [object Object]](https://images.prismic.io/boswell-book-festival/0cb94f40-bfbd-4c9e-814e-784885208d06_East-Ayrshire-Council.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=0%2C0%2C352%2C240&w=352&h=240&fit=max&fm=webp)
![Sponsor Logo [object Object]](https://boswell-book-festival.cdn.prismic.io/boswell-book-festival/Z78HZJ7c43Q3gQOT_foyle-foundation-vector-logo.svg?fit=max&w=352&h=240&fm=webp){kind=logo}
![Sponsor Logo [object Object]](https://images.prismic.io/boswell-book-festival/9fcd60d0-5d17-49e2-b430-44d141435b6c_Hillhouse-Group.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=0%2C0%2C352%2C240&w=352&h=240&fit=max&fm=webp)
![Sponsor Logo [object Object]](https://images.prismic.io/boswell-book-festival/328fcac7-1930-4a58-ad66-797923067545_Scottish-Friendly.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=0%2C0%2C352%2C240&w=352&h=240&fit=max&fm=webp)
![Sponsor Logo [object Object]](https://boswell-book-festival.cdn.prismic.io/boswell-book-festival/ZeoSTnUurf2G3M0D_KingsFoundationDumfriesHouseGrey.svg?rect=330%2C0%2C377%2C257&w=352&h=240&fit=max&fm=webp)