This year’s Faclan: the Hebridean Book Festival will run from Wednesday 31 October to Saturday 3 November.
You can book event tickets online – including a £60 festival pass – or by telephone on 01851 708480.
Faclan 2018’s line-up of authors – many of them reflecting on this year’s festival theme of Fear – includes Peter May and Malcolm Mackay on Hebridean Noir; Sir Christopher Frayling on the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (following a screening of the classic 1931 film); Finlay Macleod on the true history of a semi-mythical 19th century bogeyman who stalked the moors of Lewis and Harris; and Louise Welsh, who will reflect on the role of fear in her work. In a very different approach to fear, Kathryn Mannix will explore the various taboos around death.
Other highlights include a Saturday night appearance by leading spoken word performer Hollie McNish, a screening of vampire classic Nosferatu with a live piano score by Peter Urpeth, a tribute to the late Gaelic writer and storyteller Chrisella Ross, and Alex Boyd: The Silent Islands, in which the acclaimed photographer reflects on his visits to St Kilda.
The festival will also include the launch of The Darkest Dawn, a new book marking the 100th anniversary of the Iolaire tragedy. The book launch is one of a series of special events at An Lanntair throughout Winter 2018 to mark the anniversary of an event that had a profound impact on the islands.
In addition to the packed programme of author and musical events, there will be daytime film screenings throughout the festival, also focusing on the theme of Fear – Psycho, Village of the Damned, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, Rosemary’s Baby, Schalcken the Painter, The Babadook, and classic ghost story Whistle and I’ll Come to You, which this year marks its 50th anniversary.
This year’s programme includes special Faclan Fringe events, supported by Outer Hebrides LEADER funding, part of a new programme of winter festivals that will continue at An Lanntair until July 2020. You can take a voyage into the underworld at St Peter’s Church, with composer Jessica Danz; you can enjoy a Day of the Dead Mexican lunch with Maricruz Vasquez in the An Lanntair cafe, and you can take a Blackhouse tour with Peter May – a bus trip to sites featured in the bestselling book accompanied by the author himself (very limited tickets available, book early). And don’t miss our colourful closing party, the Monster’s Ball, featuring live music by the Howling Lords, a DJ set, and fancy dress – come as your favourite monster!
There is also a programme of events for schools, Faclan Òga, running throughout the festival, including a public dragon-drawing workshop with Kate Leiper on Saturday 3 November.
