Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival returns to Stirling on June 12 for a preview programme launch event and a chance to hear from leading international bestselling author Linwood Barclay. The Canadian crime writer is appearing on stage at The Golden Lion Hotel in conversation with BBC Radio Scotland’s Nicola Meighan. He will be in the UK launching his new book, Whistle, which will be published by HQ (HarperCollins) on June 5. Barclay is an international bestselling crime and thriller author with more than 20 critically acclaimed novels to his name, including the number one bestseller No Time for Goodbye. His books have been sold in more than 39 countries around the world and he can count Stephen King, Shari Lapena and Peter James amongst his many fans. At the programme launch Cllr Gerry McGarvey, Stirling Council Leader will introduce the 2025 Guest Programmer Ian Rankin at The Golden Lion Hotel at noon on June 12. Festival Director, Bob McDevitt, will then reveal the highlights of the 2025 line up immediately prior to the Linwood Barclay event at 1pm. Tickets are deliberately priced at only £6 to encourage a local audience who might normally not attend the festival to give it a go. They are available from www.bloodyscotland.com or in person at The Albert Halls or Tolbooth (Box office in-person opening hours - https://stirlingevents.org/box-office-opening-hours/). Other guests invited to the programme launch will be the shortlisted authors for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize which will be revealed on June 3. The longlist for the McIlvanney Prize will be revealed on July 1 and the shortlist on 26 August. Both prizes will be presented at the opening reception on Friday September 12 which offers crime fiction fans an opportunity to rub shoulders with famous crime writers at The Golden Lion Hotel. News of the Linwood Barclay event will be included in The Bloody Scotland Podcast which goes out today (Friday) presented by crime writer and Bloody Scotland board member Craig Robertson. The podcast, which is available on all usual platforms, will include special guests C L Taylor (It’s Always the Husband – Avon) and debut author, Tom Spencer (The Mystery of the Crooked Man – Pushkin). Bloody Scotland is Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival, providing a showcase for the best crime writing from Scotland and the world, unique in that it was set up by a group of Scottish crime writers in 2012. Authors on the board include founding director Lin Anderson, Craig Robertson, Gordon Brown and Abir Mukherjee. The 2025 festival will take place in Stirling from Friday September 12 and conclude on Sunday September 14. The festival takes place in various venues (including the Albert Halls, Trinity Church, Central Library and the social hub of the festival, The Golden Lion Hotel) in Stirling. The Golden Lion has a lift from the carpark at the rear of the building and both the Albert Halls and Trinity Church are fully accessible. BSL interpretation is available on request. A 10 per cent discount is available to people residing in the Stirling Council area. This is available across all sales channels and you must give your address at the time of booking. Free standby tickets are available on the day to the unemployed or those on low income. Bloody Scotland receives funding from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, Stirling Council and Culture and Business Fund Scotland. Sponsors and supporters include The Glencairn Glass, H W Fisher, Waterstones, The Open University in Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates, Stirling Distillery and Go Forth Stirling along with a wide range of publishers. Full information at bloodyscotland.com.