Memories are Made of this… 

The Boswell Book Festival’s dazzling array of writers, bards, actors, poets, musicians, adventurers, travellers, Fleet Street scribblers, children’s authors and other brilliants have departed for another year. 

“On behalf of all the Festival team, I would like to thank our wonderful audiences, who as much as the performers, create the magic of the festival. It is they who inspire our authors, who time and again comment on the warmth of the Ayrshire crowd who energize them to even greater flights.”  Caroline Knox, Festival Director

How to beat post-festival blues:
The great news is that you can now feast on almost all the talks on-line – so if you didn’t make it this year or were forced to choose between talks – you can now catch up ONLINE  until the end of May.  Individual events are £5 to view, while the Rover Pass gives access to our full programme of over 35 author talks for just £40.  

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2027
Don’t forget to add next year’s dates to your diary: 7th-9th May 2027

PLEASE DONATE!
As many of you are aware, the Boswell Book Festival is staged by the Boswell Trust, a volunteer-led charity that relies entirely on annually-sourced grant funding, sponsorship, donations and voluntary support.  

About the Boswell Book Festival

The world’s only festival of biography and memoir, 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.

Find out more and view highlights

Boswell Children's Festival

Run alongside our main programme, the hugely popular Boswell Children’s Festival offers a lively weekend of family friendly events and activities.

Led by well-loved storytellers and illustrators, it is guaranteed to appeal to young readers of all ages.

Find out more and view highlights

Our Unique Festival Location

The Boswell Book Festival is set in and around the glorious Dumfries House in East Ayrshire.

One of Scotland's most beautiful historic houses, it lies within a spectacular setting of 2,000 acres of woodlands, river walks, and explorable parklands and gardens.

Find out more about our unique location

If you wish to support the festival going forwards, please use the donate button.

Make a donation

We are indebted to all who have supported the Boswell Book Festival since 2011 in so many different ways. It is only with the help of so many loyal supporters that the Festival has achieved recognition as a cultural event of national importance.