Scotland's national book town is hosting its annual celebration of literature, with the Wigtown Book Festival running across 10 days from 25 September through 4 October 2026. The event promises a diverse programme of national and international guests while positioning Galloway to audiences far beyond the region.
According to regional media coverage, the festival is set to welcome thousands of visitors. The guest list features comedian Lucy Porter, actor Larry Lamb, musician Dougie Payne and former politician Vince Cable, alongside crime writers Louise Welsh and Chris Brookmyer. The festival's 2026 programme encompasses over 200 events spanning literature, music, theatre, food and visual arts.
How did Wigtown become Scotland's book town?
Wigtown was officially designated Scotland's National Book Town in 1998 after winning a national competition against five other candidates: Gatehouse of Fleet and Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, plus Dalmellington, Dunblane and Strathaven. The first Wigtown Book Festival followed in 1999, establishing what has become the 27th annual edition this year.
Since its inception, the festival has attracted a steady flow of writers, celebrities and politicians to this quiet corner of south-west Scotland. The event has played a transformative role for a town that had experienced significant economic decline as major employers closed operations.
What impact has the festival had on the local community?
Bookseller and author Shaun Bythell, who has participated in most festivals since their beginning, has witnessed the tangible benefits firsthand.
I've seen the crucial role it plays - attracting visitors, showcasing Wigtown as Scotland's national book town and in highlighting the literature, culture and history of the region,he said.
It's so much more than just a book festival – and it's about so much more than books. The whole community works together to welcome visitors and to show them all that Wigtown and Galloway have to offer.
The festival's economic contribution is substantial. According to a 2026 feature on the town, the festival brings approximately £14 million into the local economy annually, demonstrating its significance as an engine for regional prosperity and cultural vitality.
What does this year's programme offer?
Festival programmer Lee Randall emphasised the breadth of the 2026 offering.
The festival programme shines a light on all this as well as the region's wider creativity, culture and environment,she said.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors for 10 days of literature, film, music, theatre, guided walks and discovery.
Randall highlighted that the area is home to numerous accomplished contemporary writers whose work features prominently in the festival schedule. The programme reflects both the literary heritage of Galloway and its ongoing creative output across multiple artistic disciplines.
What happens next?
The festival continues through 4 October 2026, with events scheduled throughout the 10-day window. Ticket booking is already open on the festival's official website, allowing visitors to plan their attendance across the full range of scheduled programming.
Beyond the annual festival, Wigtown maintains its book-town identity through year-round events and activities organised by the local book-town organisation, ensuring the town's literary character extends beyond the September celebration.
