Edinburgh celebrates 20 years as UNESCO City of Literature

From renowned festivals that celebrate the written word to museums that explore the lives of Scotland’s most famous writers, the anniversary is the perfect occasion to explore Edinburgh’s rich literary offerings.

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Literary attractions

Fans of Scottish literature won’t want to miss The Writers’ Museum, located just off the Royal Mile. This hidden gem houses artifacts from three of Scotland’s most celebrated authors: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Explore portraits, rare books, and personal items, including Burns’ writing desk, the printing press used for Scott’s Waverley novels, and mementos from Stevenson’s global travels. Next to the museum is Makars’ Court. A peaceful haven where Edinburgh’s literary greats are commemorated, it is paved with flagstones inscribed with quotes from famous Scottish writers.

Located further down the Royal Mile reveals more must-sees. Throughout the year The Scottish Storytelling Centre offers a packed programme of live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, family events and workshops. While for fans of Robert Fergusson, one of Scotland’s lesser-known yet profoundly influential poets, Canongate Kirk is worth a visit. His grave is located in the churchyard, while is statue is outside.

A towering tribute to Sir Walter Scott, the Scott Monument stands proudly in Princes Street Gardens. This striking Gothic structure, which is one of the largest monuments in the world dedicated to a writer – was erected in his honour in 1846. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the city, all while reflecting on Scott’s immense contribution to Scottish literature.

For a literary twist on Edinburgh’s darker side, a visit to Greyfriars Kirk is a must. This atmospheric graveyard is not only known for the heartwarming tale of Greyfriars Bobby but also holds a place in literary history. The gravestones here are said to have inspired names for characters in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, including Tom Riddle.

For more literary sights in the city explore our Literature city guide

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Literary tours

Take a step in the shoes of some of the city’s greatest writers and discover Edinburgh through their eyes on a literary tour.

Weave your way through the city’s ancient streets with a knowledge guide for a glimpse into the city’s past.

Explore literary tours in Edinburgh

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Literary festivals

Throughout the year, Edinburgh hosts a variety of literary festivals for all kinds of book lovers. Burns & Beyond (January) celebrates the life and legacy of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard with a programme of art and culture, while Cymera Festival (May) is Scotland’s festival for science fiction, fantasy and horror writing.

Every August, Edinburgh transforms into the ultimate destination for book lovers with the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Drawing renowned authors, poets and thinkers from across the globe, it offers a diverse range of events, including author readings, discussions, book signings, and children’s sessions.

October welcomes the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, the world’s largest celebration of storytelling, while in November, music, talks, workshops, readings and poetry is represented at Push the Boat Out.

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Edinburgh’s bookshops

From antiquarian to contemporary, fiction to fantasy, across the city are a spread of bookshops offering literary delight to readers of all kinds.

Not only are they packed with books galore, but many also offer regular events such as author talks, book signings and children’s sessions. Find out more in our guide to eleven of Edinburgh’s best bookshops.

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Edinburgh’s libraries

There are 28 libraries across Edinburgh, providing books, events, workshops for their community.

The National Library of Scotland is home to millions of books, manuscripts and maps, and is a goldmine for researchers and casual readers alike. Explore the library’s extensive collections, which include rare Scottish works, historic documents, and an impressive archive of letters, journals and personal papers from celebrated authors, or attend one of their regular exhibitions, talks and events that explore the rich cultural and literary history of Scotland.

The Scottish Poetry Library is a one-of-a-kind national hub dedicated to the art of poetry, with a special focus on Scottish works. Alongside its vast collection of poetry books and pamphlets, it frequently hosts poetry readings and events. Equally unique is The Library of Mistakes, which is dedicated to the study of financial history.

Find out more about the history of Edinburgh’s libraries on Our Town Stories.

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