1st May 2005 at 5pm saw a most unusual event in Scotland's National book town - a public book burning! Many locals attended the event, which was accompanied by a barbeque and refreshments. This was not, as suggested by some, any sort of ritualistic ceremony associated with the corresponding Beltane, nor was it, as similarly voiced, a public condemnation of the contents of Edition 11 of 'Now You Know', despite what some may wish to believe! It was simply a pleasant evening's entertainment to witness the sad end of some rather shabby old irrepairable books, organised by Shaun Bythell from 'The Book Shop' in North Main Street, Wigtown. 21st May 2005 - The Wigtown Annual Book & Craft Fair: An a-mazing end for hundreds of books, backed by a lone piper. HERE |
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BOOKS
BURN AT THE STAKE
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BBQ
- DON'T BURN THE STEAK
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(Shaun Bythell, far right, on 'table duty' providing refreshments) |
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BOOKS
REMEBERED IN EMBERS
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CHARRED
& FLAMING PAGES FLUTTER FREE
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Regardless of your interpretations of the above event, I must reiterate the fact that, in my opinion, 'THE BOOK SHOP' is probably one of the best you will find.
The bank holiday weekend was also a Wigtown Spring Festival in the shape of 'Literary Landscape', during which, we were delighted to welcome Allie Shanks on her first ever visit to the area. After a tour of the town's book shops, accompanied by Gill Bastock, we made a fleeting visit to the local coffee shop for some of Joe's delicious fruit scones. (Highly recommended!). On the Saturday evening, Gill and I attended the event at Bladnoch Distillery to hear James Naughtie, Alastair Reid, Zoe Strachan and Glasgow University's Willy Maley discussing their favourite Scottish books. This was followed by drinks and a buffet, whilst pondering the nominations for 'Scotland's Best Book of All Time'. Robert Louis Stevenson's, 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' may yet be the chosen title. For further details, and to vote, visit www.list.co.uk or browse some Scottish books HERE.