Friday 14 – Sunday 16 May | Various venues, times & prices

The University of Aberdeen’s Word Festival celebrates its 10th edition this year. Having grown from somewhat humble beginnings into one of the most important literary events in the country, there’s a wide range of events taking place as usual, check out the full programme on the Word website.  Here are some picks from us (tickets still available through the Word site for all of these at time of writing):

Friday: Local journalist and historian Jack Webster (who knows this city as well as anyone), award-winning Spanish novelist and biographer of Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love Lucía Etxebarría and a very promising-looking clubnight from über-cool publishing house Canongate Books at The Lemon Tree.

Saturday: War correspondent-turned independent MP Martin Bell and novelist Pauline McLynn (AKA Mrs Doyle in Father Ted who’s also hosting a screening of Angela’s Ashes at The Belmont later in the day)

Sunday: Scottish Opera’s innovative Five:15 programme of short, Scottish-made operas continues after its world premiere on Saturday, the Sunday Herald Political Debate (should be particularly lively after recent events) and author of The Damned United David Peace.

Of course, you can always just head down to the uni and soak up the festival vibe in the cafes and bookshop tent where the air will be filled with the gentle hum of urbane sophistication…until we get there, obviously…