
We’re delighted to reveal the programme for the eighth Bute Noir crime writing festival and welcome you all to a bit of fictional slaughter doon the water.
We’ve got a fabulous lineup of authors including Val McDermid, Paula Hawkins, Chris Hammer, Abigail Dean, T.M. Logan and J.D. Kirk as well as favourites such as Chris Brookmyre, Denise Mina, Alex Gray and Mark Billingham.
The 2025 programme breaks new ground by bringing you two crime writers from China. It’s very rare for authors from that country to appear at UK festivals so we’re particularly excited to welcome Cai Jun and Na Duo.
It’s a very international year as we will also have authors travelling to Bute from New Zealand, France, Italy and Northern Ireland, where they will join writers from Scotland, England, Australia, Denmark and the USA on the Glenburn stage.
Tickets are available from Print Point and by calling 01700 503389
We are delighted to welcome back the fabulous Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers who will rock us on Saturday night. There is a true crime event again, this time featuring Gina McGavin’s story of how she teamed up with journalist Jane Hamilton to find the truth about her mother’s 35-year-old unsolved murder.
Individual ticket prices for 2025 remain the same as last year, priced at £7. We’ve sneaked an extra event onto the Saturday schedule, so weekend passes are £95 compared to last year’s £90, but represent even better value, saving £25 compared to buying individually.
As ever, huge thanks to our sponsors – For Bute, Creative Scotland, Careplus and Martha Shaw – and to our volunteers, readers and authors.
See you all in August!
© 2025 Bute Noir
PS – you can find us on substack this year – sign up for our newsletter there if you haven’t signed up so far!