Last week at Erskine Writers we had a
report on Bloody Scotland 2017 from Sandra McGruther (best known as the crime
writer Alex Gray).
By all accounts it was a huge success with a number of
innovations this year, including the torchlight procession from Stirling
Castle. Ticket sales far exceeded last year’s and this crime festival is
clearly going from strength the strength.
It is particularly pleasing to report on the success of a
festival which started as an idea by one of our members and staunchest
supporters. Having seen the way in which crime festivals in other countries
were increasingly attracting large numbers of readers and writers, it seemed
Scotland was being left behind in this very important area and in discussion
with another popular crime writer, Lin Anderson, Sandra determined to remedy
the situation.
Working together,
Sandra and Lin were able to progress the idea ( called Bloody Scotland at
Sandra’s suggestion)and the first event was held in Stirling in 2012, with
numbers attending far exceeding expectations.
Now, with a proven appetite in Scotland for this kind of
event, Bloody Scotland has blazed a trail for many other such festivals across
the country.
And all because Sandra had a good idea!
Myra Duffy
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