We’re GOING ALL IN for The National Year of Reading at Far From The Madding Crowd Bookshop!

  • We love The National Year of Reading 2026 campaign with its emphasis on reading for pleasure! We could all do with a bit of pleasure at this dreary time of year, so we’re here to help you go all in with an absolutely STACKED programme of author events! We’ve got some old favourites returning, as well as authors who’ve never visited Linlithgow before, and we’ve made sure we’ve got something on offer for every age and stage.

    And if that isn’t enough, World Book Day books have landed early this year, so get those vouchers ready!
Events Programme

In Conversation with Louise Welsh

Wednesday 11th February, 7.00PM

St Peter's Church, Linlithgow

Louise Welsh returns with the third in The Cutting Room series. The Cut Up is a stylish, atmospheric thriller featuring cult character, Rilke - everyone's favourite auctioneer. Louise is a hugely experienced writer and speaker and we're looking forward to hearing about Rilke's latest exploits - as well as finding out what it's like to create such a memorable character.

Tickets

The Further From Festival 2026

The Further From Festival 2026 is taking place from Thursday 26th February until Sunday 1st March and we’ve made sure there really is something for everyone this time round!

Full details on tickets and the line-up can be found below and we have printed programmes available in the shop as well. Tickets are available online and in-store now, so don’t miss out on West Lothian’s only annual book festival, right here in Linlithgow!

Tickets

In Conversation with Shona (S.G.) Maclean

Wednesday 4th March, 2.00PM

Linlithgow Burgh Halls


Shona (S.G.) Maclean is coming to Linlithgow! We're pleased to welcome the author of The Bookseller of Inverness, the Seeker novels and her latest historical novel, The Cromarty Library Circle. Shona Maclean has been one of Scotland's best-selling authors for nearly a decade with her blend of meticulous historical research and character driven plots, always choosing episodes from Scotland's past that are full of intrigue. The Cromarty Library Circle is the unforgettable story of a Scottish town on the cusp of change and the group of townspeople whose lives will be irrevocably altered over the course of one tumultuous year.

Tickets

In Conversation with David Keenan

Thursday 9th April, 7.00PM

St Peter's Church, Linlithgow


Celebrated cult author David Keenan has written a brand new novel, and he's coming right here to our town to launch it! The author of This Is Memorial Device is back with his most autobiographical work yet.

Boyhood opens in 1979 with the abduction of a young boy outside a Glasgow football ground. Like all Keenan's works, this is a mind-blowing literary trip which will have you gripped from the first page, and leave you reeling at the last.

And if you've never had the pleasure of hearing Mr Keenan talk about his work, his life and everything else in between, don't miss this chance - it'll be an evening you'll never forget!

Tickets

And finally...

  • If you’re looking for things to do this half-term break, we’ve got you covered! We’ve got a special half-term storytelling session this Friday, 13th February at 2.00pm in the shop. Plus, we’re giving away activity sheets and packs for wee ones all week AND the World Book Day books have landed early, so get those vouchers ready - there are some EXCELLENT titles this year!
Get your World Book Day Books here!