Wigtown celebrates 25th anniversary as Scotland’s National Book Town

Wigtown, a small Galloway community of fewer than 1,000 people, is celebrating its 25th anniversary of becoming Scotland’s National Book Town after being given the title on 16th May, 1998.

A key reason it won the race to become Scotland’s National Book Town, which involved six competing communities, was the plan for an annual book festival. The first Wigtown Book Festival took place in 1999. It now runs for 10 days a year, attracting upwards of 13,000 visitors, generating £4.3m for the economy and supporting the equivalent of 57 full-time jobs and opportunities for 100 volunteers.

The town also has bookshops stocking more than half a million books, the Open Book Airbnb scheme where visitors can enjoy a holiday running a bookshop, and the annual Wigtown Poetry Prize – celebrating Scotland’s three indigenous languages and with a worldwide reputation for excellence.

Twenty-five of the people who helped transform the town gathered to mark the anniversary. including booksellers, authors, festival team members and volunteers – and some of those involved in the original Book Town bid.

Sandra McDowall, secretary of the Community Council which made the bid for Book Town status, said: “We spent months putting the bid together and it meant so much to win. The town was so far down at the time and winning gave us back our hope and our confidence. And over the years it’s all just kept on growing. It’s been an amazing journey.”

Anne Barclay, who was a Wigtown schoolgirl back in 1998 and is now the festival’s operations director, added: “When I was growing up I remember how many empty buildings there were. The loss of the creamery and distillery were an enormous blow.

“But despite the desolation of the early 1990s, there has always been an incredible community spirit in Wigtown and it is that commitment and determination that has helped to raise the town from its knees over the past quarter century. We owe so much to those who had the foresight to campaign for Book Town status, and to those who have supported, developed and maintained it, helping to create a beautiful and vibrant place to live, work and visit. It is a privilege to be part of Wigtown’s story.”

This year will be the 25th annual Wigtown Book Festival and Edinburgh-based Lee Randall is guest programmer for the event, which runs from 22nd September to 1st October. She said: “I’ve been involved in the festival for many years now, and visits to the Wigtown area are highlights of my calendar. I’m besotted by the beauty of the town and its bookshops, and the warm welcome for visitors.

“I’m not joking when I say that a piece of my heart resides there year-round. Wigtown is my home from home. It’s wonderful to be celebrating its 25th anniversary as Scotland’s Book Town and we are really looking forward to an extra special 25th book festival later in the year.”