Winter Words is six years old this year!

To celebrate, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has put together a cracking line-up of wordsmiths, authors and presenters, including some new and some very well-kent faces: BBC One Show presenter Gyles Brandreth, Historian and Coast present Neil Oliver, Veteran of the stage Joss Ackland and a lass from Dunfermline by the name of Barbara Dickson. And then there’s Julia Donaldson, who returns with The Gruffalo in tow. He really does exist and he’s very hungry, er, we mean eager, to meet children!

We break you gently on the first Friday of the Festival, with a 1.00pm lunch date with the author of The Countryside Diaries, Alan Taylor. Rub shoulders with the words of Alan Clark, John Fowles, Beatrix Potter and Dorothy Wordsworth, amongst others in this gem of a treasury, whilst enjoying a bistro lunch in the Festival Restaurant. Soak up the thoughts and words together with a stunning highland Perthshire landscape for the surprising price of only £15.00.

The ever-popular 1.00pm Literary Lunch slot also features the multi award-winning poet Don Paterson, who will be reading from his most recent collection, Rain, whilst Margaret Macaulay, author of The Prisoner Of St Kilda will be reading excerpts from book which recounts the true story of Lady Grange. Zoe Strachan and Louise Welsh, pair up together to read from their books, talk about their work, their successes and their futures, whilst poet Kenneth Steven and Perthshire fiddle maestro Pete Clark also combine to entertain and stimulate you over lunch with their ‘Sky Full Of Voices’. Rounding off our Literary lunch programme, we must mention Sara Sheridan, who returns to Pitlochry where she began her research into The Secret Mandarin. This is a rare chance to hear the author discuss the story behind her dramatic, historical romance based on plant hunter, Robert Fortune.

Gifted authors, great speakers, fantastic minds and mouth watering food.

In a rare appearance, Barbara Dickson takes to the Pitlochry stage on Friday 29th January to describe the joys of growing up in Fife with her talented brother and loving parents, of moving to Edinburgh to find her place in the world and the stresses and strains of trying to make a living on the Scottish folk. Barbara writes beautifully about the close relationships she cultivated over these years with people such as Willy Russell, Elaine Paige and Billy Connolly. The result is a warm, fascinating story, encompassing the best of British music, stage and television. Barbara will be signing her autobiography, A Shirt Box Full of Dreams after the event..

Another Festival highlight is sure to be the visit of one of Britain's most distinguished and distinctive actors, Joss Ackland. Behind this incredible talent was a powerful relationship which began, quite literally, on the stage of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, when Joss met his wife-to-be Rosemary in the 1951 Summer Season. Joss - who has appeared in more than 170 film and television productions - now returns to Pitlochry to read from My Better Half and Me, a book which beautifully interweaves Rosemary's diaries with Joss's commentary, telling the poignant story of one woman's incredible life and one couple's loving relationship.

Joss will be joined in conversation with veteran of the PFT, Martyn James. Unmissable. Saturday 30th January.

They say all political careers end in tears - in Gyles Brandreth’s case and ours, it’s tears of laughter, as the author and broadcaster, former MP and government whip, opens up his “diary of lifetime” and takes us on an hilarious, no-holds-barred roller-coaster ride around the corridorsof power – from Buckingham Palace to the White House, from the green benches of Westminster to the green rooms of the West End.

With a cast-list that runs from Oscar Wilde to The Queen – to say nothing of Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Christopher Robin, Edwina Currie and John Major! – this will be a wonderfully witty and revealing Saturday (6th February) evening’s entertainment from an award-winning raconteur, offering unique tales from his unlikely life at school, in the theatre, on television, in journalism and in politics.

Historian, archaeologist and author, Neil Oliver comes to Winter Words for the very first time to discuss his latest hit TV series and book, A History of Scotland on Saturday 6th January. As one of the main presenters on BBC TV’s Coast, Neil’s enthusiasm and style have helped him to bring the excitement of archaeology and history (natural and otherwise!) into millions of homes. This will be a fascinating evening, packed with thought-provoking insights and discussion.

Fans of Christopher Brookymre take note, he makes a welcome return to Winter Words to discuss his latest novel Pandemonium, as does the almost always lippy, and sometime resident of Dunkeld, Elaine C. Smith, whilst Scotland’s greatest living writer (as he has often been described ) Alasdair Gray will read from a new anthology of his stage works from 1956 to 2008, together with a couple of well kent faces from Pitlochry’s stage. One to watch will be Des Dillon’s hilarious and inventive storytelling session. Then there’s writer and climber extraordinaire Andy Kirkpatrick, adventure photographer John Beatty, Pict History writer Stuart McHardy, Queen of the new home grown trend and presenter of BBC’s Gardner’s World Alys Fowler, nature artist Darren Woodhead, poet Brian Johnstone…

This year’s Festival has been extended to run over ten days (two weekends) from Friday 29th January to Sunday 7th February with a few events taking place at new and unusual venues! Join weapons expert Angus Konstam, who will read from his moving and inspiring book There Was A Solider, in the beautiful and historical setting of Blair Castle. Earlier in the day, settle down by a roaring fire in the Ballroom of the Castle to enjoy readings from Queen Victoria’s journals – which will be performed by some familiar faces from the Pitlochry stage. A special tour of Victoria’s apartments – a rare opportunity not to be missed!

Author of Whiskipedia Charles MacLean will lead a fine afternoon’s blend of entertainment at where else, than Dewar’s World of whisky, in Aberfeldy. A perfect setting for an intimate event with this expert, the event begins with a free(optinal) heritage exhibition and distillery tour and end with a book signing and dram (of course!).

The Watermill Bookshop in Aberfeldy is our third new venue this year. Join Maisie Steven as she gives a unique account of growing up near Loch Ness in the 1930s and 40s. This Grade-A listed former watermill and winner of the UK’s Best Independent Bookshop, is also the spot to catch Bengali poet Bashabi Fraser and photographer Kenny Munro who will read and discuss their collaboration From the Ganga to the Tay. Two different events, on special place!

In addition, we have writing workshops for aspiring writers with acclaimed writer and journalist Neil Forsyth, the short story format is tackled by Rachel Marsh whilst Zoe Venditozzi, explores plotting a story to establishing tone and character, offering opportunities for would-be writers to develop and expand their creative writing skills, while for younger visitors, the hiper words events always offer something different (this year, featuring the return of the Gruffalo!).

If you are a budding author of tales of the mysterious and macabre, then you will be delighted to hear that the Fearie Tales Writing Competition returns, daring you to submit your best spooky story, with the winning entries read aloud each evening by some familiar faces from the Pitlochry stage.

A Book Fair will take over the Foyer every day, with a wide range of both new and second hand books, covering both specialist and general topics.

Tickets, brochures and further information are available from Pitlochry Festival Theatre Box Office on 01796 484626 or online: www.pitlochry.org.uk or via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it