Bute Noir

Life is still lifeing and time is very much not my own at the moment, so some of this week's posts are running a bit behind. But it's going to be a festival heavy week (or maybe week and a half) as I'll be talking about three different crime writing festivals - one which has just been, but dates for next year have already been announced, and two which are coming up in the next couple of months.

The weekend before last, I headed over for the beautiful Isle of Bute, one of my favourite places, somewhere I relax and breathe easy. My main reason for going was Bute Noir, held in The Glenburn Hotel in Rothesay - which has the most amazing views over the water - but as life has been so full on lately, I combined it with time away with my partner, who did his own thing whilst I was at my events.

 

View from outside The Glenburn Hotel

Bute is easy to reach from Glasgow, where I stay. There are trains that take you to the ferry terminal or it's just over an hour's drive to Wemyss Bay and a 40 minute ferry crossing to Rothesay. We couldn't get booked at the Glenburn so stayed just down the road at the Summer's Bay Hotel. Their deluxe room had a huge balcony and a gorgeous view & the hotel had a wee bar. We were made very welcome & loved our stay. I chose five sessions to go to at the festival, although there were plenty of others on offer - definitely something for everyone. Unfortunately, I missed out on tickets for the Fun Lovin' Crime Writers who sold out quickly. Fortunately, I have seen them before (they're brilliant). The session with Chris Brookmyre and Denise Mina, and the interview with Val McDermid also sold out.

View from our hotel balcony, showing the ferry leaving

After an afternoon in the sunshine and, of course, a stop at the fabulous Bute bookshop, Print Point for a quick look around and to pick up my event tickets, it was time for dinner at the Glenburn Hotel (good service) followed by my first event. The Killing Kind, featured Tariq Ashkanani, RD McLean (who I am particularly pleased is back with a new book after an eight year break) and Heidi Amsinck, ably chaired by Douglas Skelton. The Midnight King, The Friday Girl and Out of the Dark all deal with serial killers of one sort or another. I was familiar with Tariq's book, which is pretty dark and twisted, and also Russell's (RD), which also features misogyny and corruption in the Dundee police of the late 70s (still bought them both because they're brilliant), so it was good to hear about Heidi's.

 

Douglas Skelton

RD McLean, Tariq Ashkanani, Heidi Amsinck, Douglas Skelton

A slow, easy morning on Saturday meant I missed the annual putting competition for the Brookmyre Cup (which is actually a mug) & I still don't know who was triumphant this year! My first session was After Dark featuring Michael J Malone, Stuart Neville and Olivia Isaac-Henry, chaired by Alexandra Sokoloff, who started off by asking the each of panel what their particular 'weird' was. Yes, these authors all feature otherness, perhaps horror in their crime novels. I've read Stuart's Blood Like Mine, and am excited for The Howling from Michael, having read the two previous Annie Jackson stories. Olivia is a new name to me but her book Hallows Hill sounds well worth checking out. Possibly my favourite session of the weekend was the next one. Shanghai Noir featured Cai Jun and Na Duo interviewed by Craig Robertson. Neither author spoke good English so the interview was conducted via an interpreter, whose name I didn't catch, but she was brilliant. It was really interesting to hear authors from a country so different from ours, and hear their thoughts on the publishing industry in China. Both authors are prolific with many books each under their belts, but, so far, only Cai Jun, has a book published in English. The Child's Past Life sounds really interesting and I'm looking forward to reading it. From Shanghai we headed to Australia and New Zealand for my last session on Saturday. Deadly Down Under with Tom Baragwanath and Chris Hammer was chaired by Craig Sisterson. I've seen Tom before at Bloody Scotland but I'm not familiar with either author's work so it was good to learn more about them.

Alexandra Sokoloff, Olivia Isaac-Henry, Stuart Neville, Michael J Malone

 

Cai Jun, interpreter (didn't get her name), Na Duo, Craig Robertson

Tom Baragwanath, Chris Hammer, Craig Sisterton 

On Saturday evening we headed into town for food and drink. Loved the decor in The Galatea, (which also has a nice outdoor terrace for sunny days) then headed along to Bute Yard, a fairly new (maybe a couple of years), but very welcome, venue in Rothesay. Comprising a bar, kitchen, courtyard and kind of warehouse space which can be used for events, or just for tables and chairs, as it was when we were there. There was live music, people dancing and enjoying themselves, and a Jamaican team in the kitchen (it changes frequently with local businesses taking a turn in the space). My jerk chicken, rice and beans was delicious, and the place has a really nice vibe.

Artwork in The Galatea bar

Jamaican jerk chicken, rice & beans

Singing & dancing at Bute Yard

Sunday morning saw us back at Bute Yard for its monthly craft and food market. So many talented makers! I came away with a gorgeous crocheted pixie hat for me (yes, really!) and a couple of Christmas presents for folks. Well worth a visit if you're there at the right time.

 

Monthly craft & food market at Bute Yard

Then back up to The Glenburn Hotel for my final session of the weekend, although there were three more events After this one before the festival closed. Pushing Boundaries featured Doug Johnstone, Adam Oyebanji and Nina Allan, interviewed by Colin Sinclair. All three authors have included science-fiction in their novels. I don't know Nina's work so will need to look out for that. I read an early copy of Esperance, and enjoyed it, found it very interesting. So much so, I'm looking forward to a re-read! And I'm really excited for The Transcendent Tide, the third book in Doug's Enceladons Trilogy. The book wasn't out in time for the festival but I'll be picking up a copy at Bloody Scotland, if not before. In the meantime, I'm just about to start an e-copy of the book in readiness for the forthcoming blog tour.

 

Doug Johnstone, Adam Oyebanji, Nina Allan, Colin Sinclair

And just like that it was the end of our weekend away as we headed for the ferry terminal. I normally book three nights away and head home on the Monday but this time I had just booked the two nights. Which turned out to be quite fortuitous as Monday's ferries were cancelled because of Storm Floris - a hazard of island life. I want to say a huge thank you to Karen, Craig, Anne and all the organising team for all the work they fabulous weekend, and to the wonderful volunteers who help ensure things run smoothly. Next year's festival will be back at The Glenburn Hotel on 7-9th August 2026 and I'm already looking forward to it. I urge you to think about attending if you possibly can, you'll receive a really warm welcome.

My blue hued festival haul, all provided by Print Point